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Review
. 2016 Sep 15;106(4):905-29.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1076. Epub 2016 Aug 9.

Environmental influences on reproductive health: the importance of chemical exposures

Aolin Wang  1 , Amy Padula  2 , Marina Sirota  3 , Tracey J Woodruff  4
Affiliations
Review

Environmental influences on reproductive health: the importance of chemical exposures

Aolin Wang et al. Fertil Steril. .

Abstract

Chemical exposures during pregnancy can have a profound and life-long impact on human health. Because of the omnipresence of chemicals in our daily life, there is continuous contact with chemicals in food, water, air, and consumer products. Consequently, human biomonitoring studies show that pregnant women around the globe are exposed to a variety of chemicals. In this review we provide a summary of current data on maternal and fetal exposure, as well as health consequences from these exposures. We review several chemical classes, including polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl substances, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, phenols, phthalates, pesticides, and metals. Additionally, we discuss environmental disparities and vulnerable populations, and future research directions. We conclude by providing some recommendations for prevention of chemical exposure and its adverse reproductive health consequences.

Keywords: Chemical; environmental chemical; environmental exposure; pregnancy; reproductive health.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemicals that are biomonitored by the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2012 based on the CDC 4th National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (Updated Tables, February 2015) and CDC NHANES website (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm) as of April 2016. Note: There will be more chemicals added for some biannual cycles in the future, especially later cycles, due to delay in data analyses and releasing. Not all the chemicals currently biomonitored by NHANES are high production volume chemicals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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