11 February 2024 , 10:48
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Chemicals found in everyday plastics may be the cause of an uptick in premature births in the US, a new study suggested.
Known as phthalates, these compounds found in plastic bottles, containers, and cosmetics can act as hormone disruptors which may impact the placenta during pregnancy.
A study published in Lancet Planetary Health suggested these chemicals could be behind the increase in premature births, according to data gathered from the National Institutes of Health's Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program.
The study found that nearly 57,000 premature births in the US occurred in 2018, potentially due to the chemicals known as phthalates. This was found by looking at data including gestational age at birth, birth weight, birth length, and birth weight for gestational age, from the program between 1998 and 2022.
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The phthalates have been found to act as hormone disruptors (Getty Images)Previously these phthalates were suggested to act as hormone disruptors that impact the placenta, the organ responsible for carrying out the gestational phase of pregnancy and aids a developing fetus in the womb.
Phthalates are often added to a range of consumer products for a range of reasons from making fragrance last longer and making plastic more durable and harder to break.
They are found in many products around the home including vinyl flooring, furniture and shower curtains, rain and stain-resistant products, clothing, and shoes.
Cosmetic and care products with the substances include shampoo, soap, hairspray, and nail polish. This is often to make the product last longer.
Other studies have found a connection between phthalates and other health ailments, such as childhood obesity, cardiovascular issues, and cancer.
However, not all healthcare experts agree with the outcome of this study and some have pointed to its flaws. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, the director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, said in a statement. "Phthalates can also contribute to inflammation that can disrupt the placenta even more and set the steps of preterm labor in motion.
“Studies show the largest association with preterm labor is due to a phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP. In our new study, we found DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all the preterm births in 2018. This could be one of the reasons why preterm births are on the rise.”
The American Chemistry Council, which represents the plastics industry, responded to the claims made in the study in its statement. “This study does not show adverse consequences. Establishing association does not equal establishing a causal relationship," the council said, according to . “Studies such as these have been criticized for lack of scientific quality, credibility, and reliability."