Recent research done in the UK at Edinburgh University suggests that perfume may cause infertility.
Experts say that if an unborn baby is exposed to perfumes during pregnancy, they risk infertility as an adult, and this risk is particularly apparent for baby boys.
Animal studies were conducted using rats. Pregnant rats who were exposed to perfumes, later gave birth to male rats who were unable to reproduce. The study's lead researcher, Professor Richard Sharpe, said
"There are lots of compounds in perfumes that..have the potential to have biological effects."
Women planning on becoming pregnant are advised to avoid perfumes and cosmetics to avoid exposure to chemicals which may damage their fertility or affect the future fertility of their developing baby.
What's So Bad About Perfume?
As Professor Sharpe pointed out, perfumes contain a lot of compounds which are toxic to human beings in a variety of ways. Perfume may contain one or more of these ingredients:
Benzaldehyde - can cause kidney damage, irritation to the eyes and skin and stomach problems
Benzyl Acetate - can cause respiratory problems and has been linked in studies to pancreatic cancer
Alcohol in various forms - this can cause nausea and vomiting, blood pressure problems and in extreme cases, even death
Camphor - can cause dizziness, confusion and convulsions
a-Pinene - this can damage your immune system, or your baby's immune system if he is exposed to it
These are just a handful of the vast number of chemicals that are used in perfumes and other cosmetics and can be dangerous. Most of these chemicals come from petroleum and are capable of causing cancers and other diseases.
According to R. Edwards, in "Far from Fragrant". New Scientist 1999,163, "babies who are exposed to air fresheners are also at increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)."
Cory Mermer, a medical researcher, wrote to the British Medical Journal, BMJ 2000;321:1019 ( 21 October ), regarding SIDS:
"Edwards showed that exposure to chemicals in air fresheners may have adverse effects on babies. Perfumes, deodorants,and other products may contain similar chemicals, so they might also have negative impacts."
Since perfumes contain many of the same ingredients as air fresheners, mothers may well be wise to stop using perfumes during their pregnancy and while their baby is less than 12 months old to reduce the risk of SIDS. With the publication of the University of Edinburgh findings, you might consider eliminating perfume from your life altogether, particularly if you are trying for a baby or if you have a son.
 |
