Chemicals in sofas could stop pregnancy

COUPLES undergoing IVF have been advised to choose furniture without flame retardants after a study suggested chemicals in sofas intended to stop fires may prevent pregnancy.

Researchers at Harvard University looked at urine samples from 211 women who were undergoing fertility treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital.

They found that eight in 10 women had traces of flame retardant chemicals in their samples. Those with the highest levels were about 40 per cent less likely to become pregnant or have a live birth.

“Couples undergoing IVF and trying to improve their chances of success by reducing their exposure to environmental chemicals may want to opt for products that are flame-retardant free,” said senior author Dr Russ Hauser, in a report published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.