Are plastic items used in your home to store food items? If yes then be careful, it can be harmful to the body in many ways. Till now, studies have been done to warn about the problems caused by drinking water in plastic bottles, however, in new research, scientists have said that the use of many food packaging items can be so harmful that it can cause premature birth. The risk of first birth is increasing.
In recent research done about how harmful plastic and its use is in daily life, scientists have alerted all people, especially women, to be careful about its serious side effects.
Everyday plastic items like food containers and cosmetic packages may cause birth problems in children, according to a new study.
The risk of premature birth is increasing
In this study published in The Lancet Planetary Health Journal, researchers have alerted about the increasing risks of premature birth due to the increasing use of plastic items. Premature birth means babies being born before the 37th week of pregnancy. The CDC had warned earlier this month that such cases were increasing rapidly around the world.
For the study, researchers analyzed nearly 5,000 American women at various points during pregnancy, finding that plastic may have harmful effects for both mother and child.
Harmful chemicals found in plastic
In the research, urine samples of women were taken at regular intervals during pregnancy. In this, researchers confirmed the presence of a chemical called phthalates. This chemical has also been found in earlier studies to affect hormone functions which may also affect other processes in the body.
The researchers concluded that exposure to phthalates may significantly increase the risk of premature birth. It is estimated to cause 56,595 premature births annually.
The use of plastic items can be harmful
The authors of the report said that this chemical has been used to make plastic items flexible. It is also used in many other products, including furniture, pipes, baby pants, toys, and medical tubing. Over time, these chemicals can seep into the plastic and come into contact with the body, putting you at risk of developing a variety of serious health problems.
Researchers say that to avoid the risks caused by these chemicals, manufacturers should consider other alternatives. These chemicals can cause serious problems for global health.
What is the conclusion of the study?
In conclusion of the research, Leonardo Trasande, a professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and lead author of the study, says, our findings show that these chemicals used to make plastics are increasing the risk of premature birth. Due to the premature birth of children, they may be at risk of physical and mental disorders in the future. Phthalate chemicals have also been shown in earlier studies to pose a serious threat to human health.
Considering the risks, it has become very important to use safer plastic materials or if possible reduce the use of plastic altogether.
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