Chemical Exposure Tied to Preterm Birth, Low Birthweight

Researchers from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, and Woods Institute for the Environment published a study in *JAMA Network Open* revealing that pregnant women are exposed to an average of 45 different chemicals, many of which affect birth outcomes. The study, involving over 5,000 mother-child pairs born between 2000 and 2021, detected chemicals like phthalates, replacement plasticizers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and halogenated phenols in urine samples. These chemicals, found in food, water, air pollution, personal care products, and household items, were linked to earlier deliveries and lower birth weight. The findings highlight that even newer chemicals introduced to replace banned substances—such as those restricted in children’s toys by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2017—retain harmful effects. Researchers tested for 113 chemicals and found that exposure to phthalates, plasticizers, and PAHs consistently correlated with adverse birth outcomes. Some less-studied chemicals, like halogenated phenols, also showed associations with lower birth weight. Lead author Jessie Buckley, PhD, emphasized that avoiding these chemicals is challenging due to their widespread presence in daily products. While individual precautions exist, the study underscores the need for systemic policy changes to reduce toxic exposures. Senior researcher Tracey Woodruff, PhD, called for stricter evaluations of replacement chemicals before market introduction and urged agencies to integrate these findings into risk assessments. The study’s scope—spanning two decades—provides robust evidence linking chemical exposure to lifelong health impacts for children. Researchers argue that stronger regulations and proactive chemical safety measures are critical to protecting pregnant individuals and infants from preventable harm.