The evidence of the dangers of plastic continues to stack up with particularly worrisome results for expectant parents, according to a new study from The Lancet1. This research review conducted by researchers from NYU Langone Health estimates that in 2018 alone, nearly 2 million premature births and the deaths of 74,000 newborns worldwide may have been the repercussion of maternal phthalate exposure.
Phthalates are widely used plasticizers that can be found in everything from cosmetics to detergents to bug repellants. They provide flexibility in products like children’s toys, garden hoses, and even medical devices. Previous research has identified phthalates as endocrine disruptors, which researchers highlighted as a major contributing factor to this new finding on maternal phthalate exposure. Their new analysis of population surveys published in March seems to show a link between maternal exposure to the chemicals and devastating consequences on fetal development.
“I am not surprised to see the results due to the intimate relationship between baby and mother through the placenta, as we know that this is the lifeline that provides nutrition, immunity, oxygen to the growing baby,” explains OB/GYN Dr. Lisa Semple.
Phthalate Exposure Gets Worse for Preterm Births
For Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit foundation that focuses on science communication and research on plastics and other chemicals used in industry, these findings are extremely concerning. Although she wasn’t involved in this recent study, her wheels immediately started turning about further consequences. The findings are even more worrisome when you consider that babies born preterm are immediately put at risk of more phthalate exposure.
“Ironically, babies born preterm will be exposed to even more plastics, as neonatal wards rely on plastic tubing,” she told CNN2.
For the researchers, the findings should prompt governments around the world to mitigate plastic pollution immediately. “These findings point to the urgent need for international action to reduce exposure to phthalates as a class,” write the authors, “especially in regions with high burden and limited regulatory protections.”
The Link Between Phthalates and Preterm Birth
This is not the first time that a link has been drawn between phthalate exposure and preterm birth, Semple notes, citing a 2013 study from Brigham and Women’s hospital linking phthalates and premature birth3. The study authors added a number of individual studies and regional cohorts showcasing this link, “largely through mechanisms involving endocrine disruption, inflammation, and placental dysfunction.”
This is, however, the first time that research has estimated the global burden of preterm birth attributable to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), not to mention the first analysis pooling global and region-specific estimates to get such a global view.
Why We Need Class-Wide Oversight of Plastic Additives
The study specifically assessed not just DEHP, which is the most commonly used phthalate, but also a common replacement for DEHP: diisononyl phthalate (DINP).
“Our analysis makes clear that regulating phthalates one at a time and swapping in poorly understood replacements is unlikely to solve the larger problem,” said study senior author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine4.
“We are playing a dangerous game of Whac-A-Mole with hazardous chemicals, and these findings highlight the urgent need for stronger, class-wide oversight of plastic additives to avoid repeating the same mistakes.”
Other Risks of Phthalate Exposure
In addition to preterm birth, the researchers found that fetal phthalate exposure could contribute to increased risk of disability and shortened lifespan.
“Consumers need to be attentive to the global effects of phthalates not just on preterm labor but neonatal deaths and disabilities,” says Semple.
Past studies have also linked DEHP exposure to other health issues including impacted reproductive outcomes5, increased risk of childhood obesity6, asthma7, and even cancer8.
Is There Any Uncertainty Around the Results?
It’s worth noting that not all experts are convinced by the new report. Chris DeArmitt, PhD, FRSC, FIMMM, founder of the Plastics Research Council, notes that the research analysis is devoid of experimental work. “This is funded by billionaires who fund anti-plastics campaigns,” he says. “If this were really about phthalates and health they would have mentioned the major sources of phthalates.”
He cites a 2009 study in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health that found that risks of phthalate exposure were “low, even lower than originally thought, and that there is no convincing evidence of adverse effects on humans9.”
“Since the scientific evidence strongly suggests that risks to humans are low, phthalate regulations that have been enacted are unlikely to lead to any marked improvement in public health,” wrote the authors of this earlier report.
How to Reduce Phthalate Exposure
The moral of the story? The science surrounding the impact of plastics on human health is ever-evolving. But while we wait for clear results, there’s no harm in reducing your exposure. For Semple, it’s prudent for people considering conceiving or actively trying to conceive to learn their current toxin burden through a comprehensive toxin test.
“If you want to be careful,” adds DeArmitt, “then avoid perfumes during pregnancy as that is a major source. Also nail polish and certain medicines.”
Sources:
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370%2826%2900089-1/fulltext
- https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/31/health/phthalates-infant-death-prematurity-wellness
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/1769137
- https://nyulangone.org/news/plastic-additives-tied-millions-preterm-births-worldwide
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.2478/s13382-011-0022-2
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3385443/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1247566/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230099912965
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10937400902729226
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