KQED's Forum Could a ‘Plastic Detox’ Help With Health and Fertility?
May 6, 2026
Shanna Swan, renowned researcher on endocrine disruptors and reproductive health. Monique Tavares, Bay Area business owner who tried a three-month plastic reduction firsthand. Jasmine McDonald, epidemiologist studying cosmetics and environmental justice. They discuss a documentary pilot where couples cut plastics, which chemicals and products matter most, practical swaps and barriers, and what small behavior changes might reveal about health and fertility.
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Phthalates Lower Testosterone While Bisphenols Raise Estrogen
- Phthalates and bisphenols target different hormonal systems relevant to reproduction.
- The study focused on phthalates that lower testosterone and bisphenols (BPA, BPS, BPF) that increase estrogen, linking directly to fertility outcomes.
Couple Joined After Repeated Miscarriages
- Monique Tavares joined because she and her husband had two miscarriages and two years of unsuccessful attempts.
- She said doctors offered no answers, so they tried environmental change as a different approach.
Beauty Products Drive Disproportionate Exposure For Black Girls
- Product marketing and cultural beauty norms drive earlier and heavier exposure for Black girls and women.
- Jasmine McDonald described kid relaxers and targeted products leading to earlier puberty and increased long-term health risks.