- Scientists in Japan have found evidence of a link between
recurrent miscarriages and a chemical widely used in food packaging.
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- Women with a history of miscarriages were found to have
higher levels of the compound in their bodies. The scientists admit that
their findings are based on a small preliminary study, but say further
research into the chemical's effect on human reproduction is "definitely
warranted".
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- The compound is called bisphenol-A or BPA. It is used
in plastic food containers, cans and dental sealants. Research suggests
it leaches from products and is absorbed in low concentrations by the human
body. A separate study last month suggested it might be a contributing
factor to women developing breast cancer.
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- In the research, published in the journal Human Reproduction,
a team led by Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara of the obstetrics and gynaecology
department at Nagoya City University Medical School examined 45 patients
who had suffered miscarriages three or more times and 32 women with a history
of successful pregnancies. They found average BPA levels were more than
three times higher in those women who had miscarried.
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- Thirty-five of the women became pregnant during the study
and 17 miscarried again. When the scientists examined the miscarried foetuses,
they found that four had the wrong number of chromosomes. Research in 2003
showed exposure to BPA triggered similar abnormalities in mice.
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- The scientists say the latest study provides "the
first concrete evidence that high exposure to BPA may be associated with
recurrent miscarriage".
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- Environmentalists want tighter restrictions on BPA and
similar "gender bending" chemicals. Elizabeth Salter-Green of
the environment group WWF-UK said: "This study shows the importance
of taking action to eliminate exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals
such as bisphenol-A. WWF would like to see a ban on the use of bisphenol-A
in food packaging, baby bottles and in any other product where it will
be a source of human and wildlife exposure."
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- Alan Boobis, a toxicologist at Imperial College London
who sits on the Food Standards Agency committee on toxicity, said a solid
link between the chemical and miscarriages could only be established by
larger studies. "This certainly raises questions but it only really
establishes a hypothesis that needs to be pursued further. It would be
earth shattering if this is correct, but it was a small study and needs
to be followed up."
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- Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited
2005
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- http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1504163,00.html
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