ESHRE publishes recommendations to tackle environmental threats to fertility and reproductive health

Meeting Announcement

EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND EMBRYOLOGY

Political and legislative action is urgently needed to respond to threats posed by the link between environmental factors and widespread infertility, says the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) today (Wednesday).

This is one of the (8) recommendations outlined in a list of statements published by ESHRE for the first time. The aim is to draw attention to the growing threat from climate change, pollutants, hormone-disrupting chemicals, toxic substances, and other related risks.

The document, drawn up by experts from various fields and aimed at policymakers, also calls for reforms including:

• More efficient policies to safeguard the public from chemicals that endanger fertility and reproductive health.
• The EU to update rapidly chemical regulations which protect human health including REACH and CLP.
• Prevention strategies that start before conception and are aimed at both men and women to prevent impact during foetal life.
• Data to be made available publicly on workplace risks from chemical exposure.
• Development of a Europe-wide digital platform to collect harmonized surveillance data and enable monitoring of environmental impacts on offspring and reproductive health.
• Reinforcement of multi-sectoral decarbonization to prevent reproductive harm and make the planet healthier for all.
• Public health campaigns across all educational levels to raise awareness of risks for reproductive health posed by environmental exposures.
• Testing of pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals that evaluates thoroughly their impact on fertility and gametes. ESHRE says this should be done before these products are introduced into the European market.

ESHRE states that in the debate about the severe decline in child births, especially in industrialized regions, the well-established importance of declining male and female infertility is mostly overlooked.

The society says that it has serious concerns about the environmental impact, not only on men and women who may wish to become parents but also on the health of children born and future generations.

The document has been formulated at a two-day meeting in Brussels hosted by ESHRE and attended by esteemed professionals experienced in the impact of the environment on fertility and human health.

The event was held to discuss the challenges posed by environmental threats and potential ways forward.

The speakers presented evidence amongst others that soot pollution particles can cross the placenta to reach babies in the womb, that women living near busy freeways have increased infertility, and that many pharmaceuticals that could pose a risk to male and female fertility are not classified under EU regulations.

Professor Willem Ombelet said: “The EU has been proactive in limiting exposure to environmental factors such as toxic chemicals and pollution. But more measures are needed to address the alarming impact on male and female fertility”.

Current and future generations must be protected through tougher action. Prevention strategies are needed even before people consider starting families.

Members of the public also need to know the risks they face from the environments in which they live and work. They can develop awareness if this data is made widely available.”

– Please click here to read the ESHRE recommendations in full.

– ESHRE is the world’s leading society in reproductive science and medicine. The organisation promotes interest in, and understanding of, reproductive biology and medicine, and collaborates with politicians and policymakers throughout Europe.