Birth rates in the UK have fallen to their lowest levels since records began in 1939, with the total birth rate across different age groups falling to 1.49 per woman. While many socio-economic factors contribute to more women not having children, it raises the question: how do we support those who want to be parents in ensuring the health of their children?
Clean, disinfected, and sterile spaces and objects have always been a part of parenthood. However, with increased awareness around germs and diseases that can harm newborns, the ideology of being a “good” parent often involves daily deep cleaning. This has left many parents reliant on harmful chemicals to maintain these standards.
Yes, clean and disinfected objects and spaces are vital for ensuring the health and well-being of children. However, our reliance on certain synthetic chemicals to fulfil this role poses another problem to overall reproductive health. Although the general public is exposed to low levels of these chemicals, increasing research in reproductive health suggests that these everyday products may damage fertility and harm a child’s development.
The journey to parenthood for many starts long before birth, with the planning and preparation of creating a new family member. For 1 in 7 UK couples, conceiving is difficult. While many factors play a role in conception, research suggests that exposure to certain chemicals can impact the chances of conception.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are natural or synthetic chemicals that can mimic, block, or interfere with hormones like oestrogen and testosterone. Exposure to EDCs can interfere with reproduction through changes in hormone levels, decreased sperm and egg quality, damage to the DNA in sperm, longer menstrual cycles, and other areas. About 95% of people have EDCs in their bodies, but those struggling to conceive have higher levels, suggesting that EDCs decrease the chance of conception. EDCs are found in many products, including some cosmetics, foods, toys, and cleaning products.
Here are some examples of cleaning product ingredients known to be EDCs:
A typical gestation period, the time between conception and birth, for a woman is between 38 to 42 weeks. During this time, many women already feel a sense of motherhood, wanting to nurture and provide the best start for their child. They focus on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and creating a healthy space for both mother and baby. However, overexposure to chemicals during this stage can lead to complications.
Research on the effects of chemicals during pregnancy often relied on animal testing due to ethical and practical issues. These studies have shown various effects from chemicals:
After roughly nine months of pregnancy, parents often see the effects of chemical exposure on the next generation. Even if the parent did not experience ill effects from cleaning chemicals, scientists believe that exposure, even at low levels, can impact the developing child and is evident post-birth.
Animal tests have shown that mice exposed to glycol ethers had offspring with notably low birth weights. A study on pregnant women exposed to glycol ethers through their occupation found a higher likelihood of birth defects such as neural tube defects and cleft lips. Another animal study on rats exposed to 2-Methoxyethoxy ethanol, a chemical in detergents and cleaning agents, found that the pups developed various birth defects like rib and cardiovascular deformities.
After birth, many parents continue to sterilise and maintain clean spaces, driven by natural protective instincts and advertisements linking cleanliness with successful parenting. However, this dependency on harsh chemicals can still affect the development of the child and the mother's health.
A UK study found a link between the use of air fresheners and aerosol sprays and post-birth headaches and depression in mothers. The study also found a correlation between these cleaning chemicals and infant ear infections and diarrhoea. Additionally, studies on phthalates, carriers for fragrance in glass cleaners, deodorisers, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners, have linked them to adverse effects on male children and increased allergic symptoms and asthma in children.
Although much of the research around cleaning chemicals and reproductive health comes from animal experiments or field studies rather than controlled settings, the overarching evidence suggests that exposure to various traditional chemicals can impact the health and well-being of families and children. Putting potential mothers and infants into these situations for the sake of scientific research is widely unethical. Nonetheless, the existing studies provide valuable insights into these impacts.
Cleanliness and disinfection are crucial for well-being, but we can maintain safe spaces without relying on potentially harmful chemicals. Whether in a domestic or private setting, society should shift towards healthier ingredients that don't expose mothers and infants to adverse health effects.
To learn more about promoting a healthier environment while maintaining a clean space, here.