Pollution Raises Chances Of Having Twins

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Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 23 Feb 2006 - 16:00 PDT

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German researchers have revealed that you are more likely to have twins if you live in a polluted area. Apparently, areas with high pollution have twice as many twins born each year, when compared to areas with very low pollution. If you live very near a toxic waste incinerator you have the highest chance of having twins.

Three areas were studied in this research, carried out by scientists from the University of Hamburg, Germany. One of the areas was in Hesse, the researchers monitored mothers who lived near an incinerator there.

They found that mothers who lived close to the incinerator, or any heavy industry, were twice as likely to have twins compared to mothers living in non-industrial areas. 5.3% of mothers living close to an incinerator had twins, the figure for non-industrial areas was 2.3%.

The researchers, led by Dr Nadia Obi-Osius, factored in fertility treatment availability in all areas.

Previous research has come up with similar findings.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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