Pregnant women are very sensitive to exposure to toxic products such as the alcohol, cigarette, pesticides or Pollution. These can have harmful effects on the development of the fetus. A study carried out by Public health France this time highlights heavy metal poisoning. These figures could be explained by a high consumption, in France, of seafood.
The study is based on a representative panel of 4,145 women who gave birth in mainland France in 2011. From samples collected during childbirth such as blood, hair or urine, 13 substances were dosed: aluminum, antimony, total arsenic, cadmium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, tin, Mercury, nickel, the lead, uranium and vanadium. Apart from uranium, all these pollutants were found in the bodies of these women.
High levels of mercury and arsenic
Compared to previous analyzes, lead and mercury were measured in lower amounts. But, compared to other countries, French women have higher levels of mercury and arsenic in the body. This could be explained by differences in behavior, particularly in terms of the consumption of seafood and smoking. For other metals, the levels of impregnation are the same as those observed in previous studies.
Exposure to these pollutants during pregnancy could have serious repercussions such as malformations, premature labor, poor development of the reproductive or intellectual system, increased risk of cancer, etc. The first results published in 2016 had already shown the presence of pesticides and endocrine disruptors. This is why Santé Publique France wants these data to allow “public authorities to limit women’s exposure to these substances, to measure over time the effectiveness of the measures put in place and to fully understand the methods of impregnation” .
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