Chemicals warning for mothers-to-be
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) says women should be made aware of the sources of chemicals to minimise the possibility of harm during pregnancy, and urges them to “play it safe”, despite uncertainty about chemicals’ effects and the surrounding risks.
But the advice has provoked concern, with critics saying the report is alarmist and can add to a mother’s stress.
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Hide AdIn its Scientific Impact Paper, the RCOG says there is no official antenatal advice for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding about the potential risks exposure to some chemicals could pose to their babies.
The report’s authors acknowledge that while there is little evidence to suggest whether such chemicals do affect a baby’s development, or even if there is a risk to health, they advise women to assume that a risk is present.
Women can be exposed to hundreds of chemicals at low levels, through food packaging, household products, over-the-counter medicines and cosmetics, the report says.