Soaps & shampoo ups miscarriage risk

A new study claims that prolonged exposure to certain substances such as soaps, shampoos and food packaging commonly found in personal care products could be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. More than 300 women were studied and it was found that exposure to phthalates that are commonly used in food packaging, personal care and a host of other products could be associated with loss of pregnancy, mostly between five and thirteen weeks.

Regarding non-work-related exposure to phthalates, the research is the first epidemiological study to provide evidence of a possible link among the general population. The United States of America has banned six such substances from use in certain products for children, citing concern over the potential ill effects of phthalates. Products such as paint, medical tubes, vinyl flooring, soaps and shampoos among other things, however, continue to include its derivatives as ingredients.

Also at a higher risk of miscarriage were female factory workers, who were exposed to high levels of phthalates through their work. According to researchers however, among women with non-occupational exposure, there is very little epidemiological evidence that can tie phthalates effects to pregnancy.

Experts have found that pregnancy loss was associated with higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites from diethyl phthalate, di-isobutyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate.