Study Links Premature Birth and Infant Death to Plastic Chemicals
A recently published study in the journal eClinicalMedicine has uncovered a concerning connection between infant mortality, premature births, and certain chemicals used in plastics.
The research focused on the effects of two specific types of phthalates: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). The findings estimated that in 2018 alone, DEHP was responsible for around 1.97 million premature births and roughly 74,000 infant deaths. About 1.93 million of these premature births and 72,500 infant deaths were attributed to plastic exposure. The Middle East and South Asia were particularly affected, accounting for more than 54% of these cases. In the same year, DINP was linked to 1.88 million premature births and around 64,000 infant deaths.
Additionally, the March of Dimes released a 2025 Report Card that echoed these concerns regarding premature births in the U.S. The overall grade for preterm births in 2024 was D+, with numerous states receiving grades of D or F. According to their classification, a preterm birth is one that takes place before 37 weeks of gestation.
States with failing grades, indicating preterm birth rates of 11.5% or higher, included Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky. Meanwhile, states that received a D grade, with rates ranging from 10.8% to 11.1%, included Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Indiana. The infant mortality rate in 2023 stood at 5.6 per 1,000 live births.
Phthalates, often referred to as “ubiquitous chemicals” by the U.S. government, are colorless and odorless substances that do not easily evaporate. People typically come into contact with these chemicals through skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation. Although they can be metabolized by the body, they are usually excreted fairly quickly through urine and feces.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) notes that phthalates are prevalent in items like nail polish, perfumes, plastic toys, and bottles. DEHP and DINP rank among the eight most commonly used phthalates, which are often associated with endocrine disruption.
Dr. Leonardo Trasande, the senior author of the study, emphasized the risks posed by phthalates, describing them as a “dangerous class of chemicals.”
