A hidden economic burden tied to plastic pollution.

On Diary of a CEO, host Steven Bartlett asked the renowned pregnancy doctor, "If I wanted to make sure my ovarian reserve was 10/10, how would I live? What would my daily habits look like?" Her response cut straight to a reality that’s finally reaching the mainstream: "Limit the toxins in your world that you can. Avoid cooking in plastic, putting plastic in the microwave, using Teflon pans, touching thermal paper receipts, and eating out of hot takeaway containers, as we see a leaching of these toxic chemicals." Awareness of how toxic chemicals impact reproductive health is finally entering public consciousness.

The doctor's appearance on The Diary of a CEO is timely, as an increasing number of couples worldwide are turning to artificial reproductive technologies (ART) due to rising infertility rates. Globally, the reliance on ART, such as IVF and embryo transfers, has surged, especially as many couple’s face fertility challenges. Plastics, especially those with endocrine-disrupting compounds like phthalates and bisphenols have now been linked to decreased sperm quality, reduced ovarian reserve, increased miscarriage risk and a higher incidence of birth defects.

The reproductive epidemiologist Dr Shanna Swan highlights a concerning global trend where sperm counts have been decreasing by about 1% per year, and after 2000, this rate accelerated to around 2% per year. This decline points to a potential "sperm crisis," where levels may fall close to zero by 2045. This projection raises alarms about fertility prospects worldwide, suggesting that, if current trends continue, many couples could become increasingly reliant on artificial reproductive technologies (ART) to conceive.

This raises the question of how much the plastic pollution crisis might be costing the NHS due to the increasing number of couples relying on ART. The NHS’s annual cost for these treatments is currently estimated at £68 million. I think it’s safe to suggest that with emerging scientific studies projecting a rise of ART demand, this figure is likely to significantly increase.

While exact figures connecting plastic exposure directly to NHS ART costs are yet to be determined, understanding and addressing the health impacts of plastic pollutants could reduce future healthcare costs and improve public health outcomes by mitigating infertility rates related to environmental toxins