Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and female reproduction:
A scoping review

PAHs are a diverse class of common air pollutants. At TEDX, we became concerned about their health effects when we measured PAHs in relatively high concentrations in a neighborhood surrounded by unconventional oil and gas wells. Since then, several studies have shown adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth, low birth weight) among children born in proximity to numerous wells. 

To address this, we conducted a scoping review of the impact of PAHs on female reproductive function that was recently published in Reproductive Toxicology. We use scoping methods to identify and categorize a broad body of evidence to select the best candidate outcomes for more thorough systematic review. In this review we concluded that fertility, length of gestation/pregnancy, and fetal loss should be assessed through systematic review to determine if PAHs are hazardous to female reproduction. Use this link for free access to the PDF until October 6th.  

At TEDX, we look forward to pursuing this line of scientific inquiry as we try to unravel the causes of adverse health outcomes attributable to preventable environmental exposures. 

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Photo credit: Trudy E. Bell via FracTracker Dec 2015.

TEDX has a new phone number (844.527.4082) and mailing address (P.O. Box 54, Eckert, CO, 81418).