The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists has weighed in with clear guidance about the need to reduce exposures to certain kinds of chemicals in the period before a woman becomes pregnant.

Here are our top three takeaways from this important summary of scientific evidence:

1. Chemicals can be found in a wide range of consumer products, personal care products, food packaging, and household materials, as well as in air and water.
2. Prepregnancy and prenatal exposure to some of these chemicals and pollutants can have lasting effects on reproductive health across the life span of our children.
3. Even exposures to very small amounts of some chemicals can impact our health depending on existing health conditions.

Fortunately, there are a variety of simple ways we can reduce our exposures to the chemicals linked to prenatal health impacts - read on for a few recommendations.

You can find the source article for this blog post that includes detailed scientific references here.

Additional information used to inform our recommendations came from here.

The ways we choose to live offer a variety of low or no-cost options for reducing our exposure to toxic chemicals.

• Vacuum floors & furniture regularly
• Follow air quality advisory notices
• Never microwave plastic of any kind
• Take shoes off at the door
• Wash hands regularly

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The foods we choose to eat and drink represent an important opportunity to reduce our exposures.

• Choose organic foods when possible
• Limit canned foods & beverages
• Turn on the stove exhaust fan when cooking
• Choose safer fish options - see the list here

Most chemicals have entered the marketplace without comprehensive and standardized information regarding their reproductive or other long-term toxic effects.

• Avoid scented products
• Skip the air fresheners
• Choose cleaning products with trustworthy certifications
  
  • EPA SaferChoice
  • MadeSafe
  • EWG Verified
• Avoid non-stick cookware

Our Science for Families blogs are focused on making the information contained in the scientific literature more accessible to non-experts.

We share the research that helps inform our company evaluations and advocacy so you can dig deeper when you want to learn more.

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