An article published in July 2025 by the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology examines the relationship between early-life exposure to plastic additives—specifically phthalates and bisphenols—and the development of allergic conditions in young children. The article, “Phthalates and Bisphenols Early-Life Exposure, and Childhood Allergic Conditions: A Pooled Analysis of Cohort Studies,” draws on data from over 5,000 children across birth cohorts in Australia, Canada, and the US. The study suggests that prenatal and postnatal exposure to certain phthalates is associated with increased risks of asthma, wheezing, and rhinitis by age five. The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that common plastic-related chemicals may adversely impact child health, especially respiratory and allergic outcomes.
Read the full study here.
Read an article summarizing the study here.