There is growing concern about a group of chemicals used to keep plastic flexible. Chinese babies who were exposed to higher levels of phthalates before birth were three and a half times more likely to have low birth weights. Animal studies have also found a relationship between phthalate exposure and low birth weight, but this is the first human study to show a connection. Phthalates also have estrogenic activity and some scientists worry that exposure to such compounds could disrupt hormonal balance during early development.
[The Journal of Pediatrics, online June 25, 2009]
