A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health Journal has issued a warning to everyone, especially women, about the serious consequences of the increasing use of plastic products in daily life during pregnancy.According to the study, everyday plastic items like food containers and cosmetic packaging could lead to complications during childbirth.
Growing Concerns About Premature Birth
The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health Journal, highlights the researchers’ concern about the increasing risk of premature births due to the widespread use of plastic products. Premature birth refers to a child born before the 37th week of gestation, and the World Health Organization has recently warned of a global increase in such cases.
In this study, researchers analyzed data from approximately 5,000 American women at various stages of pregnancy and found that exposure to plastic could have harmful effects on both mothers and infants.
Harmful Chemicals Found in Plastic
The study involved collecting urine samples from pregnant women regularly. During this process, researchers confirmed the presence of phthalates, chemicals known to affect hormones and other bodily processes. Previous research has indicated that these chemicals can have detrimental effects on health.
Researchers concluded that exposure to phthalates could significantly increase the risk of premature birth. An estimated 56,595 premature births occur worldwide each year, making this a critical concern.
Possible Harmful Effects of Plastic Usage
The authors of the report stated that these chemicals are used to make plastic products more flexible. Phthalates are also present in various other products such as furniture, pipes, baby products, and medical tubing. Over time, these chemicals can leach into plastics and come into contact with your body, posing a risk of severe health issues.
Researchers suggest that manufacturers should consider alternative options to mitigate the risks associated with these chemicals. The presence of these chemicals in plastics could contribute to severe global health problems.
Leonardo Trasande, Professor at the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University and the lead author of the study, stated, “This study concludes that we know that the chemicals used in the production of plastics increase the risk of premature birth.” He emphasized that the results of the research make it clear that since premature babies are born earlier, they face an increased risk of physical and mental disabilities later in life. Previous studies have also highlighted that phthalate chemicals pose a significant risk to human health.