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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
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