Plastic Additives Linked to 1.97 Million Preterm Births Worldwide in 2018

Apr 1, 2026

A new analysis estimates that exposure to phthalates, chemicals used to make plastic more flexible, may have contributed to approximately 1.97 million preterm births worldwide in 2018, representing more than 8% of all preterm births that year. The study, based on population surveys, also links this chemical exposure to 74,000 newborn deaths in 2018. The findings highlight phthalates as a potentially significant environmental risk factor for pregnancy outcomes on a global scale.

Health impacts of plastic chemical exposure on births

▪A chemical commonly used to make plastic more flexible was linked to the deaths of 74,000 newborns in 2018.
▪Exposure to a chemical commonly used to make plastic more flexible may have contributed to about 1.97 million preterm births in 2018.

Scale and global significance of the problem

▪Preterm births potentially linked to plastic chemical exposure represented more than 8% of the world's total preterm births in 2018.
▪The 1.97 million preterm births potentially linked to plastic chemical exposure occurred worldwide in 2018.

Research methodology and findings

▪A new analysis of population surveys estimated that plastic chemical exposure contributed to 1.97 million preterm births in 2018.
▪Researchers estimated that plastic chemical exposure was linked to 74,000 newborn deaths in 2018.

Perspective of Public health researchers

▪Phthalate exposure represents a modifiable risk factor for preterm births that could be addressed through policy interventions.
▪The scale of preterm births linked to plastic additives in 2018 demonstrates an urgent need for stricter chemical regulations.

Perspective of Plastics industry

▪Phthalates used in plastic manufacturing have undergone safety testing and are regulated by government agencies.
▪Multiple factors contribute to preterm births beyond chemical exposures, making single-cause attribution scientifically problematic.