Phthalates News and Research

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New trial will test if a low-plastic lifestyle improves your health

A new protocol published in BMJ Open outlines the PERTH trial, a randomized controlled study testing whether a four-week low-plastic lifestyle can reduce exposure to plastic-derived endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

27 Aug 2025

Prenatal phthalates lower boys' verbal IQ but lift girls' performance IQ, Canadian study reveals

Prenatal exposure to certain phthalates, especially DiDP, was linked to slightly lower IQ scores in preschoolers, with boys appearing more vulnerable. Other phthalates, like MMP and MBzP, showed small positive associations, but mixture effects were not significant.

29 Jul 2025

Early exposure to plastics raises young children’s asthma risk

A large international study found that early-life exposure to phthalates, common chemicals in plastics, is modestly associated with increased risks of asthma, wheeze, and rhinitis in children under five. No consistent associations were found for bisphenols, and effects were generally small.

6 Jul 2025

Higher ocean microplastics linked to more diabetes, stroke, and heart disease

A new ecological study links high marine microplastic levels near US coastlines with significantly greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke. The findings raise concerns about environmental exposure through seafood, groundwater, and air in vulnerable coastal communities.

19 Jun 2025

Public health impact of synthetic chemicals in food is underestimated

Scientists highlight the evidence of increasing public health impacts from exposure to synthetic chemicals in food.

16 May 2025

Study reveals phthalate exposure harms early sexual development in children

Maternal exposure to phthalates during pregnancy is linked to shorter anogenital distance in 3-year-old boys, a marker of impaired sexual development. Girls showed similar outcomes from their own postnatal exposure, highlighting the lasting hormonal risks of environmental pollutants.

10 May 2025

Phthalates in plastics linked to over 350,000 heart deaths worldwide

A global modeling study in eBioMedicine links phthalate exposure from plastics, especially DEHP metabolites, to over 356,000 cardiovascular deaths in 2018. Exposure was highest in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, disproportionately affecting lower-income countries.

4 May 2025

Phthalates linked to hundreds of thousands of global heart disease deaths

Daily exposure to certain chemicals used to make plastic household items could be linked to the more than 356,000 global deaths from heart disease that occurred in 2018 alone, a new analysis of population surveys shows.

29 Apr 2025

Global analysis ties plastic ingredient to soaring heart disease deaths

Daily exposure to certain chemicals used to make plastic household items could be linked to more than 356,000 global deaths from heart disease in 2018 alone, a new analysis of population surveys shows.

29 Apr 2025

Children’s mattresses expose sleepers to hidden chemical risks, study finds

A new study tested 16 children’s mattresses and found widespread contamination with harmful semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) like plasticizers and flame retardants. These chemicals can migrate into the sleeping environment, increasing children's risk of allergic and neurobehavioral effects.

22 Apr 2025

Plastic additives found in 85% of foods raise concern for infant health

Researchers assessed plasticizer levels in foods typical of the Spanish diet and found widespread contamination, with infants showing the highest exposure. Certain additives, like DEHP, exceeded safety thresholds in high-exposure scenarios.

21 Apr 2025

Toxins in kids’ mattresses and bedding raise health concerns, study shows

A Canadian in-home study found that young children are significantly exposed to semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in their sleeping environments. Mattresses, bedding, and bedroom furnishings were identified as key sources, with several compounds exceeding expected levels.

17 Apr 2025

Phthalate exposure during pregnancy affects newborn metabolism

A newly published study by researchers from Emory University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Columbia University found that a mother's exposure to phthalates during pregnancy can affect their newborn's metabolism and brain development.

2 Apr 2025

Polluted soil and water are fueling a global heart disease epidemic

A new study in Atherosclerosis shows that soil and water pollution, including microplastics and toxic chemicals, significantly raise cardiovascular disease risks. The research highlights how emerging contaminants and poor environmental practices drive global health threats.

16 Mar 2025