Household appliances related to infertility?

Bags for food, shampoo, clothes and household products contain some chemicals that can cause infertility, even infertility in women.

Dr. Chunyuan Fei, head of the research team at the University of California (Los Angeles, USA), said this was the first large-scale study on the subject.

The chemical, Dr. Fei and colleagues found that the perfluorinated group (PFCs) is commonly used in the production of a wide range of products, from fabric mats to pesticides. In particular, the researchers focused on two substances, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) - organic compounds that are difficult to decompose.

Previous studies have shown an association between PFOS and PFOA with liver poisoning, immune system and animal reproductive system. In humans, Fei and co-workers also found that women with 'good babies' had lower levels of PFOS and PFOA in their blood than those of rare children.

The researchers analyzed data of a reproductive health study with more than 1,200 pregnant women. All these women have plans to have children. However, about 30% of these take 6 months to 'pass' the pregnancy. 50% will take more than 1 year to satisfy.

Examination of blood test results showed that the most difficult group of pregnant women had PFOA levels 40 times higher and PFOS amount was 16 times higher than other women.

The analysis also showed that women who had PFOS in their blood up to 134% would take 6 months or longer to become pregnant. When PFOA is up to 154%, it may be a problem, requiring medical intervention.

According to epidemiologist David Savitz, these are very important findings, because PFOS and PFOA are almost impossible to avoid contact with. We only have a way of limiting the lowest level to the body but so far there has been no extensive research.

However, scientists also said: 'It is too early to give a certain recommendation about items and materials containing these substances'.