### Chemicals in Everyday Plastics and Preterm Births A recent study has found that chemicals used in making everyday plastic items, such as food containers and cosmetic packages, may be linked to an increase in preterm births. Preterm births are those that occur before the 37th week of pregnancy. The CDC has noted that preterm births are on the rise. The researchers analyzed urine samples from about 5,000 U.S. mothers at various points during their pregnancies to look for chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates are known to affect hormone functions and other body processes. The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, concluded that exposure to several specific phthalates might significantly increase the risk of preterm birth, potentially contributing to as many as 56,595 preterm births annually. The study specifically called for manufacturers to find alternatives to a phthalate known as DHEP, which is used to make plastic flexible and is found in products like furniture upholstery, garden hoses, baby pants, toys, and medical tubing. The lead author, Dr. Leonardo Trasande, emphasized the medical and financial burden of preterm births linked to phthalates. He suggested that using safer plastic materials or reducing plastic use could lessen these risks. In the U.S., about 8% of babies are born with low birth weight, and about 10% are preterm. Low birth weight and low gestational age are predictors of health problems both early in life and throughout a person's lifespan. Babies with low birth weight or short gestational age are at increased risk of poor academic performance, heart disease, and diabetes later in life. The researchers aimed to understand the links between phthalates and birth outcomes because these chemicals can induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupt endocrine functions. These effects can interact and affect the placenta and pregnancy complications. The study found that phthalate levels in pregnant women's urine were similar to those found in other studies of women of childbearing age. High concentrations of specific phthalates varied among pregnant women based on race or ethnicity, but not based on the baby's sex. The findings are concerning, especially since some phthalates linked to preterm birth are used in food packaging as alternatives to DHEP. The authors concluded that there is a need to regulate chemicals with similar properties as a class to prevent adverse health outcomes.