Two substances in plastic are linked to premature births and thousands of deaths

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - A new study suggests that two chemicals used to make plastic more flexible are linked to nearly two million premature births and 74,000 newborn deaths globally in 2018. A baby is considered premature when it is born before the 37th week of pregnancy.

About one in 10 infants in the United States will be born prematurely in 2024, according to the March of Dimes 2025 report. The US Centers for Disease Control and Control (CDC) explains that babies who survive may suffer from: The two substances mentioned in the study are: “Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate” (DEHP) and “Diisononyl phthalate” (DiNP), which belong to the phthalate family of substances. Synthetic chemical.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, these substances have the ability to disrupt the mechanism of hormone production in the body, known as the endocrine system, and are also linked to developmental, reproductive, brain, immune, and other problems. The institute also confirmed that minor hormonal disturbances may have significant effects on growth and biology.

“This is a dangerous class of chemicals,” says Dr. Leonardo Trasandi, lead researcher on the new study and professor of pediatrics at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, noting that, "in light of efforts to increase the number of births in the United States, we must also ensure that babies are born healthy." Trasande, who is also a professor of population health and director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics and the Center for the Study of Environmental Risk at NYU Langone Health, believes this data supports efforts to negotiate an international plastics treaty that would limit the use of chemicals of concern.

For its part, the American Chemistry Council told Ofoq News that the US Environmental Protection Agency conducted a comprehensive assessment of the risks of using DiNP under the Toxic Substances Control Act, and concluded that it does not pose a “significant risk to human health, consumers, the general population, or the environment.” However, the Council did not provide a comment regarding DEHP. 'Ubiquitous' materials Phthalates are often described as "ubiquitous" materials due to their widespread use in consumer products, because they provide flexibility in both: They also help to: These materials are also used in the cling film that is commonly used in food packaging, Trasandi says.

Previous research has linked phthalates to reproductive system problems, such as: Studies have also linked these substances to the following diseases: How do these chemicals contribute to premature births and infant deaths? Although more research is needed, scientists offer some explanations.

“One pathway is disruption of placental function, which I have documented is affected by phthalates and other endocrine disruptors,” says Jane Munke, executive director and chief scientific officer of the Food Packaging Forum, a non-profit based in Zurich, Switzerland, that focuses on science communication and research into plastics and industrial chemicals. “It is ironic that premature babies will be exposed to more plastic, as neonatal care units rely on plastic tubes,” adds Munke, who was not involved in the study. “This is an urgent reminder of the need for innovation in safer materials, especially for use in health care, and for this to be a priority for policymakers and entrepreneurs.”

The placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus and provides oxygen, nutrients, and immune support to the developing fetus. Experts confirm that placental insufficiency, when it fails to develop or perform its function properly, is one of the most prominent causes of spontaneous premature birth.

“Inflammation is not good for placental adhesion and may facilitate rupture of the membranes,” says Leonardo Trasandi. “Rupture of the membranes, poor adhesion to the uterine wall, and loss of essential nutrients for the fetus can stimulate uterine contractions.”

An entire class of chemicals The new study, published in the journal A Clinical Medicine on Tuesday, looked at the effects of DEHP and DiNP across 200 countries and territories in 2018. The data was based on broad national surveys in Canada, Europe and the United States, as well as estimates from previous studies in regions that do not collect their own data.

The study indicated that Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia bore the greatest burden of health damage associated with premature births, in light of the rapid growth of plastic industries and high levels of plastic waste in some of these regions. The study was not designed to prove that DEHP and DiNP directly or individually cause premature birth, nor did it analyze other types of phthalates, the researchers said.

“DEHP is one of the most widely studied phthalates in relation to preterm birth, so there is a stronger epidemiological basis for modeling its contribution,” says Donghai Liang, associate professor of environmental health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. “DiNP was included because it is a popular alternative to DEHP and is increasingly important as industries move away from older phthalates.”

“This should not be interpreted to mean that only these two substances are important,” Liang adds. “The broader concern is with phthalates as a whole class, and focusing on one or two substances may underestimate the overall risk.”

Manufacturers often seek alternatives to substances that research has linked to health harm and are subject to government regulation. “We are playing a dangerous game with harmful chemicals,” Trasandi warns, “where concerns are raised about a substance, and the industry replaces it with a similar substance that may have the same or worse effects.”

Positive news suggests that phthalates have a short half-life and leave the body within a few days, which means planning to reduce your exposure to plastic can make a measurable difference. “Mothers and families can take practical steps to reduce exposure,” says Liang, such as: But he points out that labels do not clearly indicate chemicals, as phthalates may be included in general terms such as “fragrance” or “fragrance.”

Trasandi explained: “Phthalates are used to maintain the stability of perfumes, and an important tip is to avoid heating plastic in the microwave or washing it in the dishwasher, because heat accelerates the leakage of these substances.” Liang also advises improving indoor ventilation and vacuuming regularly, because phthalates may accumulate in household dust.