7 CHEMICALS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

7 CHEMICALS TO AVOID DURING

PREGNANCY

Pregnant mothers often hear advice on what types of foods to avoid, but not much is mentioned about risks from the products they use every day. From cleaning products and plastic water bottles to nail polish and perfume, the chemicals in everyday items can be just as toxic to a developing baby as alcohol or cigarettes.

According to the Environmental Working Group, chemicals can pass through a pregnant woman’s bloodstream to the placenta. Such fetal exposure to toxins during critical development stages can cause permanent brain and organ damage. These chemicals often contain endocrine disruptors, mimicking hormones and increasing the risk for cancer, obesity, infertility, and neurological disorders.

If you’re pregnant, take extra care reading labels and keep an eye out for these ingredients.

BENZOPHENONE

Exposure to benzones may be higher during the Summer, because they’re found in many types of sunscreen. This ingredient mimics estrogen, interfering with hormone production, which can lead to weight gain, fatigue, and even future fertility issues. Studies have also linked benzones with brain development issues in children.

PARABENS

Parabens are preservatives found in many personal care products like shampoo, deodorants, and lotions. These chemicals have been banned in Europe because of hormone disruption, links to cancer, negative birth outcomes, and skin irritation.

PHTHALATES

Phthalates are used to soften plastics (like bath toys for kids). They’re also routinely found in food packaging. When introduced into the endocrine system of a male, this chemical can signal the death of testicular cells, leading to infertility and birth defects in males as well as diabetes and obesity.

BPA

Bisphenol A is also used in plastics, especially food and beverage packaging. It causes high estrogen levels in men and women and in extreme cases has been linked to birth defects. Canned foods are often lined with BPA, and many cash register receipts are made out of BPA-coated thermal paper.

DIOXINS

Dioxins are a by-product of the bleaching process conducted on personal care items and foods (mostly animal products). Like other endocrine disruptors, dioxins can interfere with hormone signals, creating reproductive problems and possibly cancer later in life.

ARTIFICAL FRAGRANCES

Found in most cosmetics and personal care products, artificial fragrances can be hard to avoid. Ninety-five percent of these chemicals contain phthalates and benzones. Pregnant women should look for natural fragrances or no fragrance to limit exposure.

GLYCOL ETHERS

These may appear on ingredient labels as polyethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, or propylene glycol. They’re found in medications, personal care products and cleaning products. They have been shown to affect growth rate of the fetus, and long term exposure to glycol ethers may result in neurological and blood conditions, including fatigue, nausea, and anemia.

Many personal care products today have safer, more natural counterparts. If there’s any doubt about an ingredient, it’s best to skip it during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.