Women as mothers

One of the most significant roles of women is the one of being a mother. Women are the first environment for their children, and therefore they have a risk of exposing their unborns, who are highly susceptible to chemicals. Therefore their exposure is very critical and should be avoided. Women also often change their behaviour and values with becoming a mother, which translates into a higher consumer awareness and openness to environmental topics, such as chemicals in products. 

Pregnant women

Research shows that the placenta does not provide a defense against harmful chemicals, as previously thought.67 Persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals remain in the human body long after exposure and can be passed from mother to baby, in utero and via breast milk. It can also cross the blood brain barrier to affect a child’s central nervous system and its development. Children exposed to chemicals like EDCs, even at very low levels are more likely to develop health problems later in life such as cancer, infertility, or diabetes, particularly with exposure during certain windows of prenatal development.68 EDCs can also cause multigenerational harm. A prominent example for this is diethylstilbestrol (DES), a drug given to pregnant women from the 1940s to 1970s. Studies show that many DES-victim daughters (grandchildren of the DES users) experience infertility and cancer in their reproductive organs and breasts. Animal studies show that the granddaughters of women who took DES are also at risk for ovarian 

Biomonitoring results from many ASGM countries show alarming concentrations of mercury in hair, urine and blood of children, women and men. There is a rapidly growing body of knowledge in this area, which has also revealed some symptoms similar to Minamata disease and its adverse effects. Damage to the developing brain is of particular concern. ASGM is most often considered a result of local socio-economic and development problems but over the years it has become a global challenge. The global demand for gold continues to be a driving force for more investment into ASGM, typically in isolated regions and impoverished communities. Mercury used in ASGM translates into increases in mercury exposure to women and children. In addition, global emissions of mercury will increase as more mercury is used in the ASGM sector, impacting the environment and food chain. The immediate economic investment in ASGM should take into account the health and environmental impacts in ASGM communities. and uterine cancers. Infact, prenatal development is one of the most susceptible stages to health risks caused by chemical exposure.

 The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) gives a very good overview on studies showing the negative effects of certain chemicals during critical windows of development during pregnancy.70 

In 2010 a study by the University of California at San Francisco confirmed that pregnant women carry multiple chemicals in their bodies that can be passed onto their foetus. Data collected by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2003-2004 showed that 43 banned as well as currently used chemicals in the US, including PCB, which is banned in the US for over 30 years, organochlorine pesticides, PFCs, phenols, PBDE flame retardants, phthalates, BPA, were detected in 99-100 per cent of over 250 pregnant women.71 Many of the 163 chemicals studied are known to be transferred to the foetus and have been linked to poor health outcomes. It places the foetus at risk for birth defects or chronic illnesses later in life. Furthermore, because the women in the study were tested for exposure to only a fraction of chemicals on the market, it also suggests that pregnant women are likely carrying and passing onto their foetus many more chemicals than have been reported in the study. 

Even though there is enough convincing evidence that many chemicals can harm the foetus, not many governments and companies take precautionary measures or even inform pregnant women about simple measures to avoid hazardous chemicals in their lives. The following measure are to be taken to protect pregnant women and the developing child: awareness raising campaigns, information materials for pregnant women, and labeling of products

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