Could Your Yoga Mat Lead to Infertility? A New Study Thinks So

Yoga mats aren’t just for yoga. We use them as portable knee pads for gardening and non-slip doormats. They’re perfect in place of a beach towel and they’re comfy playmats for our kids. Whether we’re sweating in warrior pose or playing on the floor, we love how our yoga mats make us feel. As much as we rely on our yoga mats to keep us active and healthy, there is shocking new evidence that there may be a hidden danger to de-stressing on your mat.

A recent study reports that the chemical, organophosphate flame-retardant (PFR), found in polyurethane foam, commonly used in household items such such car seats, sofas, baby toys and yoga mats, is contributing to infertility in adult women. The study also revealed that these harmful chemicals can passively enter the body by breathing it in and through direct contact.

Researchers from Harvard evaluated the urine samples of 211 women who were undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Over 80% of the women who participated in the study had significant amounts of PFR in their urine. The samples containing a higher concentration of PFR were 41% less likely to get pregnant and 31% less likely to have a successful birth.

While this news is troubling, don’t throw out your yoga mat just yet! There have been a number of rebuttals to this study, stating that the study wasn’t thorough enough (it didn’t take into account the other ways women may be exposed to PFR’s), it was relatively small, and the assortment of participants was too narrow.

It’s also important to note that your yoga mat may not contain these alarming chemicals. If you’re concerned about the chemicals in your yoga mat, consider purchasing a mat that is sustainable and eco-friendly. Look for mats that contain jute, all-natural rubber or non-toxic TPE. Avoid materials such as synthetic rubber, plasticizers, PVC and EVA, and enjoy your next savasana.