A major international study has found that pregnant women are regularly exposed to dozens of everyday chemicals, many of which may increase the risk of premature birth and lower birth weight, raising concerns about their long-term impact on children's health.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, was led by scientists from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Woods Institute for the Environment.
Researchers found that pregnant women were exposed to an average of 45 different chemicals, including phthalates, replacement plasticizers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and halogenated phenols. These substances are commonly found in food, drinking water, air pollution, personal care products, fragrances and many household items.
"These chemicals are difficult to avoid because they are present in a wide range of products we use every day," said lead author Jessie Buckley, professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
She said that while people can take some practical steps to reduce exposure, removing harmful chemicals from products is the most effective way to protect children and families.
The study also found that phthalates and replacement plasticizers remain widely used in products intended for babies and children, including toys, shampoos and diaper creams.
Although the US Consumer Product Safety Commission restricted or banned eight commonly used phthalates in children's products in 2017 due to health concerns, many other products used during pregnancy are not covered by those rules.
Researchers detected several phthalates, including newer replacement chemicals introduced after earlier restrictions, in urine samples collected from pregnant women.
The study analysed data from more than 5,000 mothers and their children born between 2000 and 2021. Scientists measured 113 chemicals commonly found in homes, food, air and water by analysing urine samples from pregnant women and comparing the results with pregnancy length and babies' birth weight.
On average, each participant was exposed to 45 chemicals, while one sample contained as many as 64 different substances.
The findings showed that several phthalates and alternative plasticizers were consistently linked to shorter pregnancies. Phthalates, replacement plasticizers and PAHs were also associated with lower birth weight. Researchers also found that some lesser-known chemicals, including halogenated phenols, were linked to reduced birth weight.
The study further revealed that several newer plasticizers, introduced as safer alternatives to phthalates, appeared to have health effects similar to the chemicals they were designed to replace.
Senior researcher Tracey Woodruff, professor of epidemiology and population health at Stanford University, said the findings highlight the need for stronger regulations on chemical safety.
She said new and replacement chemicals should be thoroughly tested before entering the market, adding that government agencies should use the latest evidence to reduce exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy.
Buckley said the research adds to growing evidence that reducing chemical exposure during pregnancy is important because even small reductions in birth weight or pregnancy duration can have lasting effects on a child's health.
Woodruff also noted that many sources of chemical exposure are beyond the control of pregnant women.
She called on governments and manufacturers to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in everyday products and ensure that new chemicals are proven safe before they are introduced to consumers.
The research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program of the US National Institutes of Health.
Source: Science Daily