Study links chemical exposure to 1.97 million preterm births in 2018

Researchers from NYU Langone Health have published a study in the journal eClinicalMedicine estimating that exposure to the chemical DEHP contributed to approximately 1.97 million preterm births globally in 2018. This figure represents over 8% of the total preterm births worldwide for that year. The study also links this exposure to the deaths of 74,000 newborns and 1.2 million years of life lost due to disability resulting from premature birth. DEHP is a phthalate widely used in household products, cosmetics, detergents, and insect repellents, often entering the body via food, air, and dust. The researchers assessed data across 200 countries and territories, utilizing national survey data from the U.S., Europe, and Canada, while filling data gaps with previous research models. The study also examined DiNP, a common alternative to DEHP, noting that it carries a similar health risk. Previous medical research has also associated DEHP exposure with cancer, heart disease, and infertility.