The chemical BPA could have a serious effect on the wellness and wellbeing of pregnant women, as well as on the environment, the latest research has shown. Carried out in the last year, the research suggests that high levels of BPA could increase the risks of having a miscarriage. It may also contribute to women struggling to fall pregnant in the first place.
BPA is found in many different plastics and in the linings of certain canned foods. The research is not enough to categorically prove that there is a link between BPA and miscarriage/fertility issues but it is enough to prove the possibility that BPA could affect fertility and health in this way, and so further studies will now need to be carried out in order to draw attention to the effect that this environmental chemical could have on the health of pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant.
BPA stands for bisphenol-A and, along with other environmental chemicals, can have hormone-like effects on the human body. Tests show that BPA shows up in the urine of nearly everyone in the world, even though this chemical has now been removed from many reusable drink containers and baby bottles in recent years. The Food and Drink Administration also now say that BPA is safe to be used in other types of food container.
It is also very important to bear in mind that most fertility issues are not in fact in any way related to BPA, but due to numerous other health conditions, and that most miscarriages occur due to problems with chromosomes or the eggs.
The study is, therefore, not cause for any undue alarm but does indicate that a lot more research is needed to be carried out on the chemical BPA. Results so far show that women should avoid warming up food in plastic or cooking with plastic, as it is when in contact with heat that the chemical can leak out into foods, and then end up in the human system.