The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a statement, to be followed by an article in the October issue of Obstetrics & Gynecologists, warning women about the risks that toxins pose to both pregnant women and fetuses. The publications were widely reported in mainstream media, including The Atlantic.
ACOG pointed to the evidence amassed over the past 15 years showing that exposure to environmental toxins before conception and during pregnancy can impact reproductive health. urged ob-gyns to advocate for government policy changes to identify and reduce exposure to toxic environmental agents.
ACOG identified reproductive and health problems associated with exposure to toxic environmental agents, including miscarriage and stillbirth, impaired fetal growth growth, low birth weight, preterm birth, childhood cancers, birth defects, cognitive and intellectual impairment, and thyroid problems.
Jeanne A. Conry, MD, PhD, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said “[t]he scary fact is that we don’t have safety data on most of these chemicals even though they are everywhere—in the air, water, soil, our food supply, and everyday products…Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor, is a common toxic chemical contained in our food, packaging, and many consumer products.” Dr. Conry also stated that “[t]o successfully study the impact of these chemical exposures, we must shift the burden of proof from the individual health care provider and the consumer to the manufacturers before any chemicals are even released into the environment.”