A recent study published in the journal Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology has shown that low levels of BPA exposure during pregnancy harm the cells that attach the fetus to the uterus.  From the Montreal Gazette:

Until now, most research has been carried out on the hormone-disrupting effects of BPA on infants who drink from hard-plastic baby bottles. But the Sherbrooke study raises concerns that BPA might be causing irrevocable damage even before birth.

“Very low concentrations (of BPA) that are a hundredth of what is found in the blood of pregnant women can affect . . . the development of the fetus,” said a co-author of the study, Aziz Aris.

“Research has shown that BPA is capable of easily crossing the placenta into the fetus.”…

Aris suggested that BPA exposure during pregnancy is probably behind a growing number of miscarriages.

In the placenta, cytotrophoblasts are necessary to provide nutrients and waste exchange between the mother and her fetus. Aris said BPA causes membrane damage to the placenta.

Pregnant women are exposed to BPA in all sorts of ways.  BPA is a chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen and has been shown to cause all sorts of problems for young children.  Common exposures include:  plastic food storage containers (typically hard, clear plastics), plastic drinking glasses or bottles and in the linings of canned foods, boxed beverages and frozen food dinners. 

For more on how to eliminate BPA exposure in your life, see:

Which Plastics Are Safe?

BPA-Free for Your Pregnancy

Related posts:

1. But What about My Tuna Sandwich?
2. Phthalates causing Birth Defects in Boys
3. Which Plastics are Safe?
4. How to Eat Organic and Not Go Broke
5. My Cosmetic Purge

Tags: BPA, healthy pregnancy

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