Phthalates Linked to Increased Risk of Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight, Study Finds

New York, NY United States of America
A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that exposure to phthalates was associated with an increased risk of premature birth and lower-than-average birth weight. Additionally, the likelihood of these pregnancy outcomes was tied to the concentration of phthalate breakdown products in a mother's urine.
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health problems, including preterm births.
The study only examined data from women once during their pregnancies and did not control for other factors that may have influenced preterm birth rates.
Phthalates Linked to Increased Risk of Premature Birth and Low Birth Weight, Study Finds

Phthalates are synthetic chemicals that have been linked to a variety of health problems, including preterm births. A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that exposure to phthalates was associated with an increased risk of premature birth and lower-than-average birth weight. Additionally, the likelihood of these pregnancy outcomes was tied to the concentration of phthalate breakdown products in a mother's urine. However, it is important to note that this study only examined data from women once during their pregnancies and did not control for other factors that may have influenced preterm birth rates.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if other factors that may have influenced preterm birth rates were controlled for in the study.
  • The study only examined data from women once during their pregnancies, which may not be representative of the entire population.

Sources

75%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Ditch that plastic container, study says. Plastics linked to thousands of preterm births.

USA Today Tuesday, 06 February 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Phthalates increase risk of preterm birth.
    • Studies have shown the largest association with preterm labor is due to phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP.
    • DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all the preterm births in 2018. This translates into nearly 57,000 preterm births in the United States during that year alone at a cost to society of nearly $4 billion.
    • Phthalates are hormone disruptors that can impact how the life-giving placenta functions and contribute to inflammation that can disrupt the placenta even more and set the steps of preterm labor in motion.
  • Accuracy
    • Phthalate replacements such as di-isodecylphthalate (DiDP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) may be more dangerous than DEHP when it comes to preterm birth. The three new chemicals were found to create even stronger effects of prematurity with less dose.
    • Premature births can place the baby at risk for vision, hearing and dental issues as well as intellectual and developmental delays, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, anxiety bipolar disorder depression. As adults they may have higher blood pressure cholesterol asthma respiratory infections develop type 1 or type 2 diabetes heart disease stroke.
  • Deception (80%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that phthalates are linked to tens of thousands of preterm births in the US each year. However, this statement is misleading because the study only found an increased risk of preterm birth associated with phthalate exposure and did not establish a causal relationship between them.
    • The article states that phthalates are linked to tens of thousands of preterm births in the US each year. However, this statement is misleading because the study only found an increased risk of preterm birth associated with phthalate exposure and did not establish a causal relationship between them.
    • The article quotes Dr. Leonardo Trasande as saying that just because there is an association between plastics and these health outcomes, it doesn't prove that plastic caused them. However, the study does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing a study published in the Lancet Planetary Health. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when stating that phthalates are linked to tens of thousands of preterm births and billions in medical bills over their lifetimes, which can be seen as exaggerating the severity of the issue.
    • Phthalates are found in common household items, from toys to Tupperware,
  • Bias (85%)
    The article is biased towards the idea that phthalates are harmful to human health and should be avoided. The author uses language such as 'risen in the U.S.' and 'millions of tons' to create a sense of urgency around this issue without providing any context or perspective on how these numbers relate to other causes of preterm births.
    • The study showed an increased risk of preterm birth, which has risen in the U.S.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      The article discusses the link between plastic exposure and preterm births. The author does not disclose any conflicts of interest related to this topic.
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      66%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Foods we eat are covered in plastics that may be causing a rise in premature births, study says

      CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Sandee LaMotte Tuesday, 06 February 2024 23:30
      • Unique Points
        • Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used in clear food packaging and personal care products that may be causing a rise in premature births.
        • Studies have shown the largest association with preterm labor is due to phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP.
        • Phthalates are hormone disruptors that can impact how the life-giving placenta functions and contribute to inflammation that can disrupt the placenta even more and set the steps of preterm labor in motion.
        • Manufacturers add phthalates to consumer products such as children's toys, detergents; vinyl flooring, furniture and shower curtains; automotive plastics; lubricating oils and adhesives; rain and stain-resistant products; clothing and shoes. They are also found in personal care products including shampoo, soap, hair spray and nail polish.
        • Phthalate replacements such as di-isodecylphthalate (DiDP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) may be more dangerous than DEHP when it comes to preterm birth. The three new chemicals were found to create even stronger effects of prematurity with less dose.
        • Premature births can place the baby at risk for vision, hearing and dental issues as well as intellectual and developmental delays, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, anxiety bipolar disorder depression. As adults they may have higher blood pressure cholesterol asthma respiratory infections develop type 1 or type 2 diabetes heart disease stroke.
        • Additional steps one can take to reduce exposure to phthalates and other chemicals include using stainless steel glass containers, avoiding microwaving food or beverages in plastic including infant formula pumped human milk don't put plastic dishwasher because the heat can cause chemicals to leach out looking at recycling code on bottom products find plastic type avoid plastics with recycling codes 3 which typically contain phthalates.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article by Sandee LaMotte implies that phthalates in food packaging and personal care products are causing a rise in premature births. However, the author does not provide any peer-reviewed studies to support this claim.
        • `Premature births are on the rise, yet experts aren’t sure why. Now, researchers have found synthetic chemicals called phthalates used in clear food packaging and personal care products could be a culprit`
        • `Studies show the largest association with preterm labor is due to a phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP. In our new study, we found DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all the preterm births in 2018`
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article discusses the potential link between phthalates and preterm births. The author cites a new study that found DEHP and three similar chemicals could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all preterm births in 2018. However, it is important to note that this study only focused on the relationship between exposure to individual phthalates and preterm birth, not how people are exposed to chemicals. The article also mentions other studies that have connected phthalates with various health issues such as childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular problems, cancer and reproductive problems. Additionally, it is mentioned that the Consumer Product Safety Commission no longer allows eight different phthalates to be used at levels higher than 0.1% in the manufacture of children's toys and child care products but not all of these have been limited in food packaging by the FDA.
        • DEHP is a phthalate found in food packaging that could be responsible for 5% to 10% of all preterm births in 2018.
        • Phthalates are commonly used as plasticizers and can be found in various products such as children's toys, vinyl flooring, furniture and shower curtains; automotive plastics; lubricating oils and adhesives; rain and stain-resistant products; clothing and shoes.
        • Studies have connected phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues, cancer and reproductive problems such as genital malformations in baby boys and low sperm counts in adult males.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article discusses a study that found synthetic chemicals called phthalates used in clear food packaging and personal care products could be responsible for up to 10% of all preterm births in the United States during 2018. The author also mentions that studies have connected phthalates to various health issues such as childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues, cancer and reproductive problems. However, it is important to note that this study only focused on exposure to individual phthalates and not how people are exposed to chemicals in their daily lives.
        • The largest association with preterm labor is due to a phthalate found in food packaging called Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, or DEHP,
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          The article discusses the potential link between phthalates and premature births. The author has a conflict of interest with Leonardo Trasande who is an advocate for banning certain chemicals in personal care products.
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of phthalates as they are associated with environmental groups such as EWG and have been critical of the ACC in their reporting. The article also mentions that Alexa Friedman is an expert witness for both sides in ongoing litigation over phthalate exposure.
            • According to the study, exposure to phthalates during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight. This finding raises concerns about the safety of food packaging materials, which often contain high levels of phthalates.
              • The study found that higher levels of phthalates were associated with a greater risk of premature birth, and this was particularly true among women who had been pregnant before. The authors also noted that the findings suggest that prenatal exposures to these chemicals may be contributing to an increase in premature births.

              82%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Plastic-linked ‘hormone-disrupting chemicals’ were potentially behind 10% of U.S. preterm births in 2018, according to new research. How families can steer clear of their danger

              Fortune Media Inc. Erin Prater Tuesday, 06 February 2024 00:00
              • Unique Points
                • Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that block, mimic or interfere with the body's hormones.
                • Exposure to phthalates is linked to an increased risk of lower birth weight and gestational age among newborns, in addition to lower academic performance, diabetes and heart disease in childhood and beyond.
                • Phthalates can be found in a broad swath of consumer products from personal care to food packaging.
                • Regular exposure to chemicals used in the making of plastic food containers may have fueled roughly 56,600 or 10% of preterm births that occurred in the U.S. in 2018 according to new research released Tuesday.
              • Accuracy
                • Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used in everyday items.
                • Exposure to phthalates is linked to an increased risk of preterm birth.
                • Manufacturers add phthalates to consumer products such as children's toys.
              • Deception (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Fallacies (80%)
                The article contains several logical fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and stating that it is the first to use a diverse, representative study population and measure metabolites multiple times during each pregnancy. However, this does not necessarily mean that their findings are more accurate or reliable than other studies. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing phthalates as
                • Bias (100%)
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                  Erin Prater has a conflict of interest on the topics of phthalates and preterm births as she reports that $1.6 million for all babies born preterm potentially due to phthalates in 2018, and $8.1 billion over those children's lifetimes combined.
                  • Erin Prater writes:
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    Erin Prater has a conflict of interest on the topics of phthalates and preterm births as she reports that $1.6 million for all babies born preterm potentially due to phthalates in 2018, and $8.1 billion over those children's lifetimes combined.
                    • Erin Prater writes:

                    80%

                    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                    Chemicals in plastics and cosmetics tied to preterm birth risk

                    FibarOttaeli News Site Emily Cooke Tuesday, 06 February 2024 23:30
                    • Unique Points
                      • Exposure to phthalates was tied to an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.
                      • , exposure to phthalates is associated with a lower-than-average birth weight.
                      • , the likelihood of these pregnancy outcomes was tied to the concentration of phthalate breakdown products in the mother's urine. However, it didn't directly demonstrate that the chemicals caused preterm births.
                    • Accuracy
                      • Phthalates increase the risk of preterm birth.
                      • Millions of tons of phthalates are produced annually in the U.S., which is one of the world's top manufacturers.
                    • Deception (100%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                    • Fallacies (85%)
                      The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study that suggests phthalates are associated with preterm birth and lower-than-average birth weight. However, the study does not directly demonstrate that phthalates cause these outcomes. Instead, it found a correlation between exposure to phthalate breakdown products in urine and increased risk of premature birth and lower-than-average birth weight. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that even shortening gestation from 40 weeks to 37 is associated with severe cognitive consequences, as well as additional health care and other related costs. This statement exaggerates the potential negative effects of preterm birth and may be misleading for readers. Additionally, the author uses a dichotomous depiction by stating that normal human pregnancy lasts around 40 weeks but births that occur before 37 weeks are considered preterm. This creates an either/or situation where there is no room for nuance or variation in gestation length.
                      • The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study that suggests phthalates are associated with preterm birth and lower-than-average birth weight.
                    • Bias (85%)
                      The article discusses a study that found exposure to phthalates was associated with an increased risk of premature birth and lower-than-average birth weight. The authors used data from more than 5,000 pregnant women in the US and estimated that some 56,000 preterm births in 2018 may have been linked to phthalate exposure. However, it is important to note that this study only found a correlation between phthalate exposure and premature birth risk. The authors did not directly demonstrate that the chemicals caused the preterm births.
                      • The article states that "phthalates" were tied to an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        Emily Cooke has a conflict of interest on the topics of phthalates, pregnancy outcomes and birth weight as she is reporting for Live Science which is owned by News Corporation. This company also owns several other media outlets that have financial ties to companies in the plastics industry.
                        • Phthalates are chemicals commonly found in plastic products such as toys, food packaging, and personal care items like shampoo and lotion. These chemicals have been linked to a range of health problems including reproductive issues.
                          • The National Institutes of Health Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is a research initiative aimed at understanding the impact of environmental factors on child health, including preterm births. Live Science reports on this program and its findings.
                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                            Emily Cooke has a conflict of interest on the topics of phthalates, pregnancy outcomes and birth weight as she is reporting for Live Science which is owned by News Corporation. This company also owns several other media outlets that have financial ties to companies in the plastics industry.
                            • Phthalates are chemicals commonly found in plastic products such as toys, food packaging, and personal care items like shampoo and lotion. These chemicals can leach into water sources and harm wildlife. In humans, phthalates have been linked to a range of health problems including reproductive issues.
                              • Pregnancy outcomes are closely tied to preterm births which is the topic of this article.

                              70%

                              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                              Preterm births linked to 'hormone disruptor' chemicals may cost the United States billions

                              MedicalXpress Science X Wednesday, 07 February 2024 13:56
                              • Unique Points
                                • Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used in everyday items that increase risk of preterm birth.
                                • Exposure to phthalates was associated with increased risk for infant death and interfered with academic performance.
                                • Manufacturers add phthalates to consumer products such as children's toys, detergents; vinyl flooring, furniture and shower curtains; automotive plastics; lubricating oils and adhesives; rain and stain-resistant products; clothing and shoes. They are also found in personal care products including shampoo, soap, hair spray and nail polish.
                                • Phthalates have been linked to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues such as heart disease stroke.
                              • Accuracy
                                • Phthalates have been shown to interfere with the function of certain hormones and are associated with obesity, cancer, fertility issues among other health concerns.
                                • Exposure to phthalates has been linked to increased risk of lower weight and gestational age (the period between conception and birth) among newborns.
                                • Phthalate exposure was associated with a clear opportunity to lessen risks by either using safer plastic materials or reducing the use of plastic altogether whenever possible.
                              • Deception (50%)
                                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that phthalates have been shown to interfere with the function of certain hormones and cause obesity, cancer and fertility issues among many other health concerns. However this statement is not supported by any scientific evidence provided in the article.
                                • The article does not provide any specific examples or quotes that support its claim about phthalates causing these health problems.
                              • Fallacies (85%)
                                The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that phthalates have been shown to interfere with hormone function for decades without providing any evidence or citation of a study. Secondly, the author commits a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either use safer plastic materials or reduce the use of plastic altogether when there may be other alternatives available. Thirdly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that phthalates present a serious danger to human health without providing any evidence or citation of a study.
                                • The article states that phthalates have been shown to interfere with hormone function for decades without providing any evidence or citation of a study. This is an example of an appeal to authority fallacy.
                              • Bias (85%)
                                The author demonstrates bias by implying that phthalates are harmful to human health without providing any evidence or counterarguments. The author also uses language that depicts those who use plastic as extreme or unreasonable.
                                • Daily exposure to chemicals used in the manufacture of plastic food containers and many cosmetics may be tied to nearly 56,600 preterm births in the U.S. in 2018
                                  • Exposure to these toxins, which is believed to occur as consumer products break down and are ingested, has been linked to obesity, cancer, and fertility issues
                                    • Our findings uncover the tremendous medical and financial burden of preterm births we believe are connected to phthalates
                                      • There is a clear opportunity here to lessen these risks by either using safer plastic materials or by reducing the use of plastic altogether whenever possible.
                                        • These risk factors...may potentially contribute to heart disease and diabetes.
                                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                          The article discusses the link between hormone disruptor chemicals and preterm births. The author is Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP who has a financial interest in this topic as he has published research on it before.
                                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                            The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of hormone disruptor chemicals as they are affiliated with NYU Grossman School of Medicine and have published research related to this topic. The article also mentions Leonardo Trasande, MD who is an expert in environmental health and has written extensively about the effects of phthalates on human health.
                                            • Leonardo Trasande, MD is an expert in environmental health and has written extensively about the effects of phthalates on human health.
                                              • The author's affiliation with NYU Grossman School of Medicine may compromise their ability to report objectively on hormone disruptor chemicals.