Chemicals in Cosmetics, Toys, and Food Containers Contribute to Rise in Preterm Births

A recent study found that in 2018 alone, phthalates may have contributed to more than 56,000 preterm births.
Chemicals in Cosmetics, Toys, and Food Containers Contribute to Rise in Preterm Births
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Plastics are omnipresent. They offer convenience and have allowed for a host of innovations, but they have effects on the environment and our health.

Phthalates, a class of synthetic chemicals often referred to as “plasticizers” because of their common use in making plastic products flexible, are found in thousands of consumer products, from vinyl flooring to household cleaners and children’s toys. For most of us, our primary exposure to phthalates likely comes through plastic food containers and personal care products such as shampoos and cosmetics.

Zrinka Peters
Zrinka Peters
Author
Zrinka Peters is a freelance writer focusing on health, wellness, and education. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, and has been published in a wide variety of print and online publications including Health Digest, Parent.com, Today's Catholic Teacher, and Education.com.
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