Chemical in nonstick cookware linked to infertility

Chemicals found in everyday products such as food packaging, upholstery and carpets may be associated with infertility in women, according to researchers at the University of California-Los Angeles School of Public Health.

Doctors studied the chemicals, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), in 1,240 women from the Danish National Birth Cohort, which includes nearly 100,000 women and their children. The chemicals also have been found in non-stick cookware, pesticides, clothing and personal care products, as well as industrial surfactants and emulsifiers, according to the study released in Human Reproduction.

Two studies published in 2007 showed that babies exposed to the chemicals in the womb were more likely to be born smaller than other infants. Earlier tests on animals have linked the two chemicals to cancer and developmental problems. Studies show that the chemicals can remain in the environment and in the body for decades.

The new study is the first to link perfluorinated chemicals to infertility, authors says.

Authors say it's possible that the chemicals interfere with the hormones involved in reproduction. In the study, women with higher chemical exposure had more irregular periods.

Manufacturers say they're already using safer alternatives to these chemicals. 3M has stopped making PFOA and PFOS. DuPont's manufacturing processes now remove more than 97% of PFOA.

Bonnie - isn't that nice of 3M and DuPont. We have know that this has been problematic for a while. Only when pressured by consumer groups did these companies take action. Safer alternatives? I'd like to see the safety studies on the new chemicals.