Yoga mats with flame retardant chemicals can disrupt in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), a study has claimed, according to reports in The Times of India. The findings showed that women with higher urinary concentrations of a common type of flame retardant known as organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) – used in polyurethane foam in many products, including upholstered furniture, baby products and gym mats – had reduced likelihood of clinical pregnancy and live birth following IVF than those with lower concentrations. “These findings suggest that exposure to PFRs may be one of many risk factors for lower reproductive success,” said lead author Courtney Carignan, a research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.