Your unborn baby is more susceptible to harmful chemicals because the system that our body uses to eliminate toxins and chemicals only develops after birth. For this reason, even low levels of chemicals that are considered safe in adults may be harmful to an unborn baby.
During pregnancy, you can be exposed to EDCs from various sources, including food and water. When these chemicals enter the mother’s blood, they can cross the placenta, which is the organ providing oxygen and nutrients to the baby. The placenta acts as a partial barrier stopping some substances from crossing it while allowing other chemicals to pass through and reach the baby.
EDCs have been found in the amniotic fluid (the liquid surrounding the baby) and the umbilical cord.
If your baby is exposed to chemicals while in the womb this may affect the development of their brain, nervous and reproductive systems and may impact their cancer risk later in life, such as breast cancer risk. More research is needed to understand the full effects over time.
However, we already know that drinking alcohol whilst pregnant can affect the health of your unborn baby. Alcohol can cross the placenta and may affect the brain and physical development of your baby. This is known as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
We therefore recommend that a precautionary approach should be taken to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals whilst pregnant.
Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is an EDC that was used as anti-miscarriage drug until the 1970s and is no longer in use. The daughters of mothers who were prescribed DES during pregnancy have an increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life. The same was found for DDT, an insecticide for agricultural use now banned worldwide.
Exposure to other EDCs may also indirectly affect breast cancer risk. EDCs may promote other known breast cancer risk factors, such as early puberty and increased breast density. In animal studies, exposure to EDCs in the womb caused changes to the breast related to higher breast density. A higher breast density is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
While the link between DES and breast cancer is clear, for most other EDCs more research is needed to understand how exposure in the unborn baby may affect breast cancer risk later in life.
Please see our leaflet on how to protect yours and your baby’s health.
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