Environmental Toxins and Fertility Rates

Author: American Fertility Association
Published: 2011/03/28 - Updated: 2014/11/28
Category Topic: Pregnancy Information - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Evidence that numerous environmental factors may have effect on fertility and the health of developing fetuses.

Introduction

With Earth Day right around the corner, The American Fertility Association (The AFA), a national, non-profit, family-building organization, has positioned itself as a leader in creating a greener world for all those trying to conceive.

Main Content

There's mounting evidence that numerous environmental factors may have an effect on fertility and on the health of developing fetuses. We have advanced this conversation within the world of reproductive medicine, and our commitment to raising awareness about it continues today.

The AFA is one of the leading voices on environmental toxicity and reproductive health. We have published an innovative informational fact sheet titled, "The Dirty Dozen" (www.theafa.org/blog_images/Dirty_Dozen.pdf), which outlines the top twelve chemicals that both men and women should avoid to help increase their ability to conceive a child. Our Infertility Prevention Handbook (www.theafa.org/blog_images/MM_EDUCATION_2011.pdf) further highlights the possible negative effects of environmental toxins while also discussing other challenges, such as the biological clock and STI's. In addition, The AFA has spoken at numerous college campuses and at special events in restaurants and nail salons around the country in an effort to increase people's knowledge about environmental toxins and infertility prevention.

The AFA has published over 50 blogs on this topic, and is excited to now work with a cutting edge authority on reproductive health and environmental toxins. We're thrilled to announce that Karin Russ, MS, RN, who is the National Coordinator, Fertility and Reproductive Health Working Group with Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE), has recently become an AFA blogger.

Environmental toxins affect more than just fertility. Recently, experts at a United Nations meeting called for action to address preventable environmental and occupational causes of cancer which are responsible for 1.3 million deaths each year. The AFA urges the owners of factories and businesses, both large and small, to make the changes needed to protect both their workers and the health of the general public. This includes the greening of chemically laden nail salons, which can be a "toxic soup" environment for salon workers. "The AFA is proud to be a thought leader in this arena, and looks forward to definitive answers being realized," says Ken Mosesian, Executive Director of The AFA. Mosesian continues, "We recognize that more research is urgently needed."

About The AFA - The American Fertility Association, a 501 (c) (3) national non-profit organization, is a lifetime resource for infertility prevention, reproductive health and family building. The AFA's services and materials are provided free of charge to consumers and are available to everyone without reservation. These include an extensive online library, a daily blog, telephone and in-person coaching, a resource directory, daily fertility news, a toll-free support line, and education outreach events.