Pregnant women who are exposed to phthalates, a chemical commonly used in plastics, may be at risk of a shortened pregnancy. Women who were exposed to the chemicals gave birth more than one week earlier than women who were not exposed to them.

Further, it appears that exposure to phthalates is common among pregnant women. The chemicals, which are added to plastic products such as food containers to add flexibility along with moisturizers, nail polishes, hairsprays, insect repellants and more, are known to leach out of the products and into the environment.

It was previously thought that exposure to phthalates occurred primarily through ingesting contaminated foods. However, researchers found that inhalation and even dermal absorption may also significantly influence a woman’s exposure.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences November 4, 2003