Does What An Expectant Dad Washes His Hair With Affect the Future Health of His Child?
A new study is looking into whether the environment can affect sperm quality and embryo development in our toxic-chemical-crazy world. Specifically under investigation are pthalates, chemicals often found in everything from shampoos to cosmetics to hospital flooring. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften and increase the flexibility of plastic and vinyl. But the very same materials that make shampoos foamy also do very bad things. According to newswise.com, phthalate exposure -- known to disrupt endocrines -- is associated in human studies with changes in semen quality, androgen levels, birth outcomes and offspring neuro-development, but a mechanism has not been clearly identified, a new study by Richard Pilsner of UMass Amherst reports. Pilsner says, “What we’re asking, basically, is whether dad’s environmental health contributes to reproductive success, and if so, how is that transmitted to offspring?” “Until now, no one has investigated the sperm