Study Reveals $8.1 Billion Cost of Early BirthsNYU Study Urges Regulation of Plastic Chemicals

A study has connected chemicals in plastics and cosmetics, known as phthalates, to nearly 56,600 early births in the U.S. in 2018, with costs reaching up to $8.1 billion. Highlighting the health hazards of phthalates, such as hormonal disruption and reduced newborn weights, the research advocates for more stringent regulation to lessen public health and economic impacts.

Recent research indicates that frequent interaction with chemicals present in plastic food containers and a wide range of cosmetic items may be associated with around 56,600 premature deliveries in the United States over the course of 2018. The researchers estimate the healthcare costs related to these early deliveries could start from $1.6 billion, possibly escalating to $8.1 billion over the children's lifetimes.

Phthalates, the chemicals in question, have been documented for years to interfere with hormone functions, or signaling molecules that regulate various bodily processes. These toxins, likely ingested as consumer goods deteriorate, have been tied to obesity, cancer, and reproductive issues, among other health problems.

A team from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine has conducted a new analysis on over 5,000 American mothers, finding a direct correlation between phthalate exposure and a decrease in newborns' weight and gestational age (the duration from conception to birth). These factors modestly increase the risk of infant mortality, impair academic achievements, and might contribute to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, according to their findings.

Financial and Medical Implications

"Our findings reveal the significant medical and financial toll of premature births believed to be linked to phthalates, contributing further to the extensive evidence of these chemicals' threat to human health," said Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, the study's lead author. Trasande, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, sees a vital chance to reduce these risks by opting for safer plastic materials or limiting plastic use wherever feasible.

The research, published in the journal The Lancet Planetary Health, is considered the most extensive of its kind to date and features data from a more racially and ethnically diverse group of women than previous studies on the subject, according to Trasande.

Study Methodology and Findings

The team analyzed data from the Environmental Influences on Childhood Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, to better understand the impact of various environmental, social, and economic factors on children's health. This data allowed the researchers to isolate and eliminate demographic factors other than phthalates that could influence premature birth rates, Trasande explained.

To evaluate prenatal phthalate exposure, researchers measured levels of 20 different metabolites (breakdown products of the chemicals within the body) in urine samples taken at three points during each subject's pregnancy. They then identified correlations between these metabolite levels and premature births. Following this, they calculated the economic impact from intensive care unit stays, other medical expenses, and the loss of worker productivity over a lifetime due to reduced IQ.

The study also distinguished between specific phthalates. Particularly, it compared di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a long-used chemical for making plastic more flexible, with several newer DEHP replacements, which have recently come under increased scrutiny.

Mothers with the highest levels of DEHP metabolites in their urine had a 50% increased risk of delivering before week 37 of their pregnancy compared to those with the lowest levels. The risk of premature birth was even doubled for women exposed to high quantities of three common DEHP alternatives, indicating a pressing need for regulatory action.

Conclusions and Future Directions

"These findings underscore the importance of regulating phthalates as a whole, rather than individually, to prevent recurring health issues identified in new chemical substitutes," stated Trasande, a professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Langone. Trasande, also the director of NYU Langone’s Division of Environmental Pediatrics, mentioned plans to extend their research to phthalate exposures in other countries and explore the health benefits of preventing phthalate exposure altogether. He highlighted that more research is essential to understand the precise mechanisms behind the association between phthal

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