It is hard to say now how our actions today will affect future generations – or that they will at all.  

A few years ago, a researcher at Washington State University was studying how chemicals affect sex determination in embryonic animals and stumbled upon a shocking discovery: Exposing rats to the insecticide methoxyclor while inside the womb also affected the male offspring of those rats.

Like their fathers, the next generation of male rats had decreased sperm counts and higher rates of infertility – consequences of being dosed with methoxyclor, even though they had never been directly exposed to the insecticide. Since these initial findings, several other studies have shown similar results using a wide array of environmental stressors. While most of these studies have been conducted on rodents, preliminary evidence shows that chemical effects can carry over in human generations, too.

These chemicals pose certain known threats to the person initially exposed: reproductive disorders, heart disease, learning disabilities, depression and cancer, according to Medical News Today. 

Just because the market is saturated with bad things doesn’t mean you can’t find plenty of good things to use instead. Be wary of plastics, instead, choose products made from glass. 

Pass down to your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren your blue eyes, left-handedness or favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Not a lifetime of toxic exposures.

Note: Information provided herein is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition. As always, consult your health care provider with any questions or health concerns.

Deirdre Imus, Founder of the site devoted to environmental health, dienviro.org, is President and Founder of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center™ at Hackensack  University Medical Center and Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. She is a New York Times best-selling author and a frequent contributor to FoxNewsHealth.com, and Fox Business Channel. Check out her website at dienviro.org. 'Like' her Facebook page here.