[caption id="attachment_71973" align="aligncenter" width="459"] Study ties BPA Chemical to Possible Miscarriage Risk[/caption]A new study suggests that women already at risk of miscarriage or who have trouble getting pregnant might be more likely to have reproductive issues if exposed to high levels of the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). Dr. Linda Giudice, president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, says the study does not prove there is a connection between fertility issues and BPA, but does "add to the probability" of a link.

BPA is in a group of chemicals that sometimes behave as hormones and is found in many plastics and the linings of cans. It is found in the urine of almost every person, despite having been banned in bottles for babies and other drink receptacles. The FDA has said it is safe, and it is found in other food containers.

Stanford University reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Ruth Lathi, along with a team of researchers studied 115 women who have fertility and miscarriage issues. They analyzed their blood, and they found that the women with more BPA in their blood had a greater risk of miscarriage. They were careful to note that other factors could be at play, but this information adds to the doubts about the safety of BPA.

"I don't want to alarm prospective parents," study researcher Dr. Ruth Lathi, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University Medical Center, said, noting that it's nearly impossible to avoid all exposure to BPA. "Lots of women with detectable [BPA] levels have healthy babies," Lathi said. Still, the data suggest "there is no harm in trying to reduce [BPA] exposures," Lathi added.

According to Lathi, future studies need to examine whether reducing BPA exposure also reduces miscarriage risk, she said.

On The Web:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/10/14/study-ties-chemical-bpa-to-possible-miscarriage-risk/