Phthalates in plastics disrupt hormone production vital for pregnancy, finds Rutgers University

17 Jan 2022 --- Researchers at Rutgers University, US, have found that phthalates can disrupt hormone production crucial for pregnancy health. Phthalate chemicals are added to plastics, personal care products and electronics to increase flexibility.

The study was among the first to examine the impact that phthalates have on the placental corticotropin releasing hormone (pCRH), produced by the placenta, and which increases throughout the course of pregnancy.

“The hormone plays an important role in promoting the onset of labor, but when levels are high or rise rapidly earlier in pregnancy, it may contribute to preterm birth and fetal growth problems as well as high blood pressure, diabetes and postpartum depression,” say the researchers.

Pregnancy complications and low pCRH correlation
Emily S. Barrett, associate professor at Rutgers School of Public Health and member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, says: “Our findings show these chemicals may alter the production of essential placental hormones, which has important implications for the course of pregnancy as well as subsequent child health and development.”

The findings show the presence of various phthalates was associated with higher pCRH hormone levels in mid-pregnancy, but lower pCRH later in pregnancy. 

The study is among the first to examine how phthalates and the connection with pCRH disrupt the function of the endocrine system, which is especially delicate during pregnancy.According to the researchers, these levels were strongest in women who developed pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, suggesting that women who develop complications may be particularly vulnerable to this hormonal disruption.

The study is among the first and largest to examine how these chemicals and the connection with pCRH disrupt the function of the endocrine system, which is especially delicate during pregnancy.

“Associations between phthalates and pCRH among women with pregnancy complications grew stronger across the course of pregnancy. We know very little about how women with pregnancy complications are affected by environmental exposures. This study sets the stage for future research in that area,” Barrett adds.

Legislative pressure
At the end of last year, the US Food and Drug Administration was sued by eight environmental and human health organizations for failing to ban phthalate chemicals from F&B packaging, despite years of research proving its danger to human and environmental health.

Relatedly, environmental experts stressed that US legislative strides should go beyond legacy contamination clean-up and also reduce current production and uses to limit further exposures.

By Natalie Schwertheim