From the air we breathe to the products we use every day, environmental toxins are more common than you might think. While not all exposures are harmful, some can have a significant impact on fertility, affecting hormone balance, egg and sperm quality, and overall reproductive outcomes.
At Newlife IVF, we’re here to help you make sense of the science, take control where it counts and feel confident in the choices you make. Below, we break down some of the most well-established environmental exposures that can affect fertility, as well as share practical steps you can take to reduce their impact.
Hidden hazards – everyday toxins that can affect your fertility
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
EDCs are substances that interfere with the body’s natural hormone systems by mimicking, blocking or altering natural hormone levels. This disruption can affect key biological processes, including fertility. Common EDCs include bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, parabens, dioxins and triclosan.
Where they are found
EDCs are commonly present in plastic containers, cosmetics and personal care items, canned food linings, food packaging, cleaning products and flame-retardant materials.
Potential impact on fertility
EDCs can negatively affect fertility in several ways, including:
Disrupting menstrual cycles, ovulation and egg quantity, as well as affecting an egg’s ability to mature and undergo fertilisation
Interfering with sperm production and testosterone levels.
Because EDCs directly affect the delicate hormonal systems that regulate fertility, minimising your exposure can be a meaningful step towards improving your fertility. Avoid products that contain BPA, phthalates, parabens and other common EDCs – especially when you’re trying to conceive.
Pesticides and herbicides
Widely used in agriculture (to kill pests and weeds), many pesticides and herbicides are known hormone disruptors and neurotoxins, and some have been linked to fertility issues in both men and women.
Where they are found
Non-organic fruits and vegetables, grains, lawn and garden sprays, and contaminated water (from agricultural runoff).
Evidence has also linked herbicide and pesticide exposure to miscarriage, birth defects and hormonal disorders.
What you can do
Because most exposure comes from food and contaminated water, you can reduce your risk by choosing organic produce where possible and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables with filtered drinking water to remove chemical residues.
Heavy metals (particularly lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic)
Heavy metals are toxic elements that can accumulate in the body over time, interfering with organ function, including those essential for reproduction.
Where they are found
Contaminated water, seafood (mercury), old paint (lead), cigarette smoke and industrial pollution. While drinking water is monitored in Australia for heavy metal contamination, trace amounts may still be present.
Potential impact on fertility
Heavy metal exposure can negatively affect fertility by:
Damaging the DNA in eggs and sperm
Stimulating hormonal imbalances and egg quality abnormalities
Increasing miscarriage risk and reducing IVF success.
What you can do
Depending on the specific metal and individual factors, such as age, overall health and kidney or liver function, heavy metals can remain in the body’s tissues for extended periods after exposure, making their effects difficult to reverse. Even low-level exposure over time can harm fertility. To help reduce your risk, avoid smoking, limit your consumption of high-mercury fish, use water filters and take care when renovating older homes that may contain lead-based paint.
Pollution and particulate matter
Air pollution and particulate matter (PM) are composed of solid and liquid particles from a range of sources, including combustion, smoke, dust and chemical reactions. Fine PM – particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) – can enter the bloodstream and contribute to various health issues, including harmful effects on reproductive organs and hormone function.
Where they are found
Sources include car exhaust, industrial emissions, wildfire smoke, cigarette smoke and urban air pollution.
While outdoor air quality isn’t in your control, there are steps you can take to limit your exposure to air pollution. Use indoor air purifiers or filters, avoid exercising outdoors during high-pollution days, and monitor Melbourne’s (or your local area’s) air quality index online for real-time updates.
Microplastics and nanoplastics
Microplastics (less than 5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 1 mm) are increasingly present in our environment. These particles may carry harmful chemicals and disrupt reproductive function.
Where they are found
Microplastics are found almost everywhere – from waterways and plastic bottles to food wraps, containers, cosmetics and cleaning products (microbeads). These tiny particles come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, synthetic clothing, packaging and even bottled water. It’s believed that most people carry microplastics in their bodies, which are accumulated through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the products we apply to our skin.
Potential impact on fertility
Studies have shown that microplastics and nanoplastics:
Contain EDCs, such as BPA and phthalates, which interfere with reproductive hormones and disrupt hormone signalling
Accumulate in the ovaries, negatively affecting egg maturation, egg quality and gene expression – reducing the number of viable eggs and making fertilisation and embryo development more difficult
Accumulate in the testes, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress, and damaging sperm quality
Have been found in placental tissue, suggesting they may reach the developing embryo.
What you can do
While it’s nearly impossible to avoid microplastics entirely, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure and support your reproductive health.
Avoid heating food in plastic containers – instead, choose glass, ceramic or stainless steel for both storing and cooking. Choose filtered tap water over bottled water, and limit your intake of foods that come heavily packaged in plastic. Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly can also help reduce residues from packaging.
When it comes to personal care, look for products labelled microbead-free. At home, be mindful of dust, which can contain microplastic particles. Vacuum regularly using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, and consider using an air purifier to minimise airborne particles.
These small, everyday changes can help reduce your exposure to microplastics and may support better fertility outcomes over time.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals’
PFAS are man-made chemicals commonly found in household and industrial products. These substances are highly persistent – they don’t break down easily and can accumulate in the body over time, potentially disrupting hormone balance.
Where they are found
PFAS-coated cookware offers convenience with easy cleaning. However, when scratched or overheated, it can release harmful chemicals into food. Other sources include fast food wrappers and other food packaging, microwave popcorn bags, stain-resistant fabrics and some cosmetics.
Potential impact on fertility
PFAS exposure has been associated with:
Disrupting hormonal balance, ovulation and menstrual cycles
Reducing egg quality and quantity
Lengthening the time to conception
Lowering IVF success rates
Decreased sperm count and testosterone levels.
What you can do
Avoid non-stick cookware where possible, opt for PFAS-free products, and use filtered drinking water. These steps can help limit your exposure to these long-lasting chemicals.
Mobile phones and electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure
Mobile phones, laptops and Wi-Fi devices emit low-level EMR, which has been linked to changes in reproductive health – especially in men.
Where they are found
Smartphones, Bluetooth devices, laptops (especially when used on the lap) and phones carried in pockets.
Potential impact on fertility
EMR exposure has been linked to:
Damaging sperm DNA and reducing motility (especially when phones are stored in pants pockets)
Increasing testicular temperature, which is associated with damage to sperm
Inducing oxidative stress in ovarian tissue and eggs. Prolonged EMR exposure is associated with reduced egg numbers and atretic follicle numbers (follicles that have begun to degenerate and regress), as shown in animal studies.
What you can do
The evidence is stronger for effects on male fertility, and the risks are generally moderate compared to chemical exposures. Nonetheless, simple steps, such as keeping phones out of front pockets and avoiding laptop use directly on the lap, can help reduce risk.
Small changes, meaningful impact
Our environment plays a powerful, yet often overlooked, role in reproductive health. But small, consistent changes can make a real difference to your fertility. At Newlife IVF, we’re here to support your journey with the latest scientific insights and compassionate, expert care. By understanding your exposures and making informed lifestyle choices, you’re already taking meaningful steps toward a healthier path to conception and pregnancy.
Our fertility-friendly action plan below can help reduce environmental stressors in your daily life. And if you need further support, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Call us on (03) 8080 8933 or book an appointment online.
Your fertility-friendly action plan to reduce environmental stress
Choose organic foods where possible to minimise your exposure to pesticides and EDCs
Use glass or stainless steel containers and cookware to reduce your contact with plastic and microplastics
Avoid non-stick cookware, don’t heat food in plastic and avoid using cling wrap in the microwave to help reduce PFAS and plastic exposure
Switch to clean personal care products to minimise your exposure to hormone disruptors – look for products free from phthalates, parabens, microbeads and synthetic fragrances
Use a water filter, which helps remove heavy metals and chemical contaminants
Ventilate your home or use an air purifier to reduce indoor air pollution and exposure to particulate matter
Avoid carrying phones in front pockets to protect sperm health
Take antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, CoQ10 and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to support fertility by reducing oxidative stress and helping counteract the effects of PFAS.
The information on this page is general in nature. All medical and surgical procedures have potential benefits and risks. Consult your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to you.
