Perfumes linked to fertility problems

01 Sep 2008

Researchers at Edinburgh University suggest that exposure to perfumes during pregnancy may increase a child's risk of infertility later in life.

A study carried out on rats found that prenatal exposure to chemicals found in cosmetics can lead to later reproductive problems for baby boys.

Lead researcher professor Richard Sharpe of the Medical Research Council's Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, explained to the BBC: "There are lots of compounds in perfumes that we know in higher concentrations have the potential to have biological effects.

"If you are planning to become pregnant you should change your lifestyle… We would recommend you avoid exposure to chemicals that are present in cosmetics, anything that you put on your body that might then get through your body into your developing baby."

Other studies have shown that pregnant women are more sensitive to the smell of perfumes, with some familiar scents even causing light-headedness and nausea in some expectant mums.

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