Plastic Exposure Before Birth Linked to ADHD And Autism Symptoms. Here’s What You Need to Know.
"No single exposure like this is likely, on its own, to meaningfully change an individual child's risk."
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Med has found an association between prenatal exposure to DEHP, a common plastic additive, and behavioral traits linked to autism and ADHD in young children. DEHP, which is added to plastics to increase flexibility, is widely used in household items such as shower curtains, vinyl furniture, and medical tubing. The chemical readily leaches from these products into food, water, and the human body, raising concerns about widespread population exposure during critical developmental periods.
Researchers examined data from 847 Australian mothers and their infants, analyzing urine samples collected during pregnancy to estimate DEHP exposure levels. After birth, DNA from umbilical cord blood was tested for epigenetic changes—alterations in how genes are activated or deactivated without changes to DNA sequences themselves. The analysis revealed that higher prenatal DEHP exposure correlated with distinctive epigenetic patterns in newborns, which subsequently showed stronger associations with autism and ADHD-related symptoms when children were assessed at ages two and four, particularly in male children.
While the findings suggest a potential biological mechanism linking plastic chemical exposure to neurodevelopmental concerns, experts emphasize important limitations. The study relies on urine samples as proxies for actual fetal exposure and cannot establish direct causation. Additionally, researchers note that single chemical exposures alone are unlikely to significantly alter individual risk levels. Experts stress the importance of government regulations on food packaging and plastic use, particularly to protect vulnerable populations including pregnant women and infants.
Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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