In a study published in the journal ‘JAMA Pediatrics’, experts from the National Institutes of Health suggested that exposure to the chemical substances known as phthalates during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth in pregnant women. Phthalates are industrial chemicals used in personal-care products, such as cosmetics, as well as solvents, detergents, and food packaging. In the study, data from 6,045 pregnant women in the U.S. were examined.

Based on the data, the researchers found that pregnant women with higher concentrations of several phthalate metabolites in their urine were more likely to deliver their babies preterm, specifically three or more weeks before the mother′s due date. Dr. Emily Barrett, Associate Professor, Rutgers School of Public Health and Member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, stated that preterm birth is one of the most poorly understood, intractable challenges in maternal-child health, and the study provided evidence that everyday chemicals in the environment are part of the problem.

The researchers developed a statistical model to determine the effect of exposure to phthalates and its association with preterm birth. The study revealed that exposure to 4 of the 11 phthalates in pregnancy significantly increased the probability of preterm delivery. The researchers also used computational models to simulate hypothetical interventions that could reduce phthalate exposure. They found that reducing phthalate exposure by approximately 50% led to a decline in preterm birth by 13%. Dr. Barrett added that eating fresh, home-cooked food; avoiding processed food that comes in plastic; selecting fragrance-free products or those labeled as "phthalate-free" are some of the ways to reduce exposure in pregnant women. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/exposure-to-phthalates-increases-chances-of-preterm-delivery-finds-study/93091064 )