Study Links Phthalates in Food Packaging to Rise in Premature Births
Premature births have been on the rise, and researchers may have found a potential culprit: synthetic chemicals called phthalates. These chemicals are commonly found in clear food packaging and personal care products. Phthalates, also known as “everywhere chemicals,” are hormone disruptors that can affect the functioning of the placenta, which provides oxygen and nutrients to a developing fetus.
Lead author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, explains that phthalates can contribute to inflammation, further disrupting the placenta and potentially leading to preterm labor. The study found that a specific phthalate called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in food packaging, had the largest association with preterm labor. In fact, DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all preterm births in the United States in 2018.
This percentage translates to nearly 57,000 preterm births in the US in 2018, costing society approximately $4 billion. The study, published in the journal Lancet Planetary Health, highlights the potential impact of phthalates on public health and the economy.
However, it’s important to note that people are often exposed to multiple phthalates from various products they use daily, which may increase the risk of preterm birth even further. Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist of toxicology at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), emphasizes that the study focused on individual phthalates’ relationship with preterm birth, but real-life exposure involves multiple phthalates.
Phthalates are widely used in food packaging, including plastic wrap, meat packaging, and some milk and juice containers. They are also found in detergents, vinyl flooring, furniture, shower curtains, automotive plastics, and personal care products such as shampoo, soap, and nail polish.
Studies have linked phthalates to various health issues, including childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular problems, cancer, and reproductive problems. The Consumer Product Safety Commission restricts the use of eight different phthalates in children’s toys and child care products. However, not all of these phthalates have been limited in food packaging by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Manufacturers sometimes replace restricted phthalates with new versions that are not yet regulated. However, toxicologist Linda Birnbaum warns that these replacements may not be safer, as even minor changes in the chemical structure can still lead to adverse effects.
The recent research used data from the National Institutes of Health’s Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) study. The team analyzed urine samples from 5,006 pregnant mothers and compared them with the gestational age, birth weight, and birth length of their babies. The study confirmed the previous research’s findings that DEHP is associated with shorter pregnancies and preterm birth.
Interestingly, the study also found that the replacements for DEHP, such as di-isodecylphthalate (DiDP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), were even more dangerous when it came to preterm birth. Trasande explains that these replacements required a smaller dose to achieve the same outcome of prematurity.
Premature births pose significant risks to babies’ health and development. They may experience vision, hearing, dental, intellectual, and developmental issues. Prematurity can also contribute to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental health disorders, high blood pressure, cholesterol, asthma, and diabetes. The medical expenses associated with preterm births in the US are estimated to be around $3.8 billion.
To reduce exposure to phthalates and other chemicals in food and food packaging products, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests several steps. These include using stainless steel and glass containers instead of plastic, avoiding microwaving food or beverages in plastic, and checking the recycling code on the bottom of products to avoid plastics with recycling codes 3, which typically contain phthalates.
The study sheds light on the potential impact of phthalates on preterm births and emphasizes the need for further regulation and consumer awareness. By understanding the risks associated with these chemicals, individuals can make informed choices to protect their health and the health of their children.
