Flame Retardants: Culprits in Premature Birth and Obesity (Premium)
In a large study of more than 6000 pregnancies, exposure to currently used flame retardants was shown to increase the risk of premature birth and cause higher infant birth weight, which can lead to obesity. These fire retardants are widely used in electronics, clothing or other textiles, baby products, building materials, foam and furniture. They are used to prevent fires and also to make plastics more flexible. They are very hard to avoid!
Read how you are exposed to the damaging fire retardants in your home.
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In the largest study of its kind, researchers at UC Davis Health found that exposure to common flame retardants (organophosphate ester) during pregnancy was associated with preterm birth, especially among females. The chemicals were also linked to higher birth weight, a concern for increased obesity risk. The major new research study was published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
These are just two of the harmful effects of exposure to these flame retardants.
“The importance of this study lies in unraveling the potential impact of exposure to environmental chemicals during pregnancy on fetal development.
Our findings guide our understanding of how these chemicals may be silently seeding lasting challenges for the health of the next generation,” said Jiwon Oh, first author of the study.
These newer flame retardants, Organophosphate esters, or OPEs were introduced when polybrominated flame retardants were phased out for being toxic.
Because of their chemical structure, OPEs slowly degrade and become part of dust. Individuals are exposed to OPEs through their skin or when they ingest or inhale indoor dust.
Preterm births and greater birth weight
The researchers found three of the nine OPEs were associated with increased risks of preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), especially among female newborns. Preterm births can put infants at risk of health issues, including breathing and feeding problems, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and vision and hearing problems.
Three other OPEs were linked to greater birth weight-for-gestational-age. High birth weight is associated with childhood obesity, which increases the risk of health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“There were over 6,000 pregnancies included in this study, and with such a large study, we are very confident of our findings,” said Deborah Bennett, senior author of the study and a professor of environmental health in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
“Because OPEs are from building materials, textiles, electronics and other products, consumers cannot choose products that do not contain OPEs,” study author Dr. Oh said. “Only policy changes and regulations can mitigate their exposure.”
“Policy options to reduce exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants should be considered.”
The researchers noted that OPEs may affect thyroid hormone levels and cause inflammation and oxidative stress, which could play a role in the preterm births. OPEs are also endocrine disruptors, so they may contribute to abnormal placental development, and the impact may vary based on the sex of the fetus.
Adapted from a January 2024 report by Newswise
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