New Research Suggests That Chemicals Found In Cosmetics And Plastics Might Be Tied To Nearly 56,000 Premature Births In The U.S. In 2018
New research suggests that chemicals in plastics and cosmetics, which can disrupt hormones, might be connected to almost 56,000 premature births in the United States in 2018.
In a study recently published in The Lancet Planetary Health, researchers derived that figure after analyzing data from over 5,000 pregnant women in the U.S.
This analysis indicated a link between exposure to phthalates– chemicals commonly found in hairspray, nail polish, and food packaging– and a higher likelihood of preterm births and below-average birth weights.
The research revealed a connection between the levels of phthalate metabolites in maternal urine and the probability of certain pregnancy outcomes.
However, it stopped short of proving that these chemicals were the direct cause of preterm births– instead highlighting a significant correlation.
According to the study, the shifts in birth timing were measured in days. Yet, the repercussions of a reduced gestational period can be considerable.
Typically, a human pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks, with any births happening before the 37-week mark being classified as preterm.
“We know that even shortening gestation from 40 weeks to 37 is associated with severe cognitive consequences, as well as additional healthcare and other related costs,” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, the study’s lead author and NYU Langone Health pediatrics professor.
“So, when you shift the population of people giving birth by even days or a week, you’re increasing the number of preterm births substantially.”
Daria Minaeva – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The study estimated that throughout the lifespans of the 56,000 children, the combined medical expenses and lost economic output associated with preterm birth could total anywhere from $1.6 to $8.1 billion.
Past epidemiological research indicates that phthalate exposure may lead to increased inflammation and interfere with hormone functions, particularly those involved in reproduction.
Additionally, studies involving humans have connected these chemicals to health issues like obesity, infertility, and cancer.
Individuals can encounter phthalates through various means, such as eating foods that have come into contact with products containing phthalates or breathing in the chemicals from the air.
Once in the body, phthalates are processed into metabolites by the liver and then eliminated through the urine.
According to Dr. Trasande, earlier research suggested a link between phthalates and preterm birth, but these studies had their limitations.
They lacked representation from diverse ethnic and racial groups, for instance, and some of the phthalates investigated in those earlier studies have been substituted with new variants.
So, Dr. Trasande’s new study analyzed data from women participating in the National Institutes of Health’s Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program from 1998 to 2022.
The research team measured the concentrations of 20 phthalate metabolites in urine samples collected at three different stages of pregnancy.
Then, they examined how these levels correlated with the age and birth weight of the newborns while also considering other relevant factors like the mother’s ethnicity and age at the time of birth.
Throughout the pregnancy trimesters, the levels of phthalate derivatives in the women’s urine showed steady concentrations.
The predominant phthalates identified were mono-ethyl phthalate– commonly present in items like perfume and soap– and phthalic acid, a chemical used in the production of polyester. Women in the lowest 10% of chemical exposure experienced no heightened risk of preterm birth. However, those in the highest 10% of exposure faced a notably increased risk.
For instance, women with the highest levels of exposure to Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) were approximately 45% more likely to have a preterm birth compared to those with minimal exposure levels.
Finally, the team used models of phthalate exposure and analyzed available birth records to estimate that around 56,000 preterm births in 2018 could be associated with these chemicals.
The researchers acknowledged that certain limitations in their data might have skewed the study’s results. Most notably, the urine samples used might not accurately represent the body’s exposure levels since they only capture what has been metabolized at a specific moment.
Additionally, there’s a chance that the women were exposed to other phthalate types that the study did not investigate.
Still, according to Dr. Sophie Balk, a pediatrics professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, “this important study shows how ubiquitous chemicals, such as phthalates, can have adverse health effects.”
Dr. Balk did note that it is often ultimately left to consumers to figure out what products might contain phthalates since federal law does not require labeling on that level.
“Some phthalates have been banned from children’s toys and other children’s items, but phthalates are still widely used in many personal care products and food packaging,” she explained.
So, anyone seeking to limit their exposure might consider avoiding self-care products that mention the words “parfum” or “fragrance.”
Consumers can also avoid microwaving their food in plastic containers and opt for fresh food over pre-packaged items.
To read the study’s complete findings, visit the link here.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Science
