PCBs were used decades ago in the electric industry and are now banned, but they don’t break down easily and have built up in our waterways—and in the fish that swim in them.
Previous research linked PCBs to poorer sperm quality. In 2011, a National Institutes of Health–funded study found that concentrations found among the general U.S. population were associated with failed embryo implantations in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.
Found in: Certain types of fish, including farmed salmon (often found in grocery stores).
Protect yourself: Getting enough beneficial omega-3s is important when trying to conceive. To make sure you’re making sound seafood selections, read Want Health, Safe Seafood? Consult the Superfish List. Check local advisories if you fish and eat what you catch, so you know which to stay away from to avoid exposure to harmful contaminants like PCBs.
