Study Links Phthalates to 2M Preterm Births Globally in 2018

A new study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health has linked exposure to two common plastic additives, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), to nearly 2 million preterm births and about 74,000 newborn deaths worldwide in 2018. The analysis, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, provides the first global estimate of the health burden from these chemicals, which are widely used to make plastics flexible and appear in products such as cosmetics, food packaging, toys, and household items.

The study examined data from more than 200 countries and territories, drawing on national surveys from the United States, Canada, and Europe, along with estimates for regions lacking direct measurements. Researchers calculated that DEHP exposure alone contributed to approximately 1.97 million preterm births and 74,000 infant deaths that year, while DiNP was associated with 1.88 million preterm births and 64,000 deaths. Phthalates like these break down into microscopic particles that enter the body through food, air, and dust, acting as endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormone production.

Scientists believe the chemicals may increase preterm birth risk by...