Tools to help you talk to your patients about reproductive and developmental impacts from BPA and Phthalates.

Patient Handouts and Education
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Provider Resources

Evidence-based Messaging

Reprinted from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol 207 (6), Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD MPH et al., Environmental exposures: how to counsel preconception and prenatal patients in the clinical setting, pages: 463-470, 2012 with permission from Elsevier.

Messaging

Key Points
Health-based
  • Overall, the health impact of phthalates, bisphenol A, and polybrominated diethyl ethers on the developing fetus are not well understood; current research studies will continue to elucidate potential health impacts.
  • Animal studies suggest that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A are associated with obesity, reproductive abnormalities, and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in offspring.
  • Human prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with changes in male reproductive anatomy and behavioral changes primarily in young girls.
  • Human prenatal polybrominated diethyl ethers exposure is associated with changes in prenatal thyroid hormone concentrations, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and male reproductive tract abnormalities in infancy.
Exposure Reduction
  • We encourage providers to counsel families to prevent endocrine-disrupting chemicals exposure to reduce the potential risk of harm.
  • Overall, women can reduce exposure to phthalates and bisphenol A by (1) reducing the consumption of processed foods, (2) increasing fresh and/or frozen foods, and (3) reducing consumption of canned foods.
  • Avoid the use of plastics with the recycling codes (often found on the outside bottom of containers) #3 and #7 because they can contain phthalates and/or bisphenol A.
  • For polybrominated diethyl ethers, foam items that were bought before 2005 should be inspected; anything that is ripped or breaking down should be replaced.
  • Be careful when removing old carpet because the padding may contain polybrominated diethyl ethers.
  • Use a vacuum machine that is fitted with a HEPA filter to get rid of dust that may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
  • When purchasing new products, ask the manufacturers what type of fire retardants were used.
Resources

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