Study claims plastic exposure in pregnancy can increase autism risk

Exposure to chemicals found in everyday plastics during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of children developing autistic and ADHD traits, research has claimed.

A lengthy study conducted at Florey Institution of Neuroscience and Mental Health claims to have established a link between the chemical DEHP and neurodivergent conditions.

Started in 2010, the study focused on 800 Australian families, tracking them from the mother’s pregnancy through to the formative years of the children.

Through urine samples taken at late-term pregnancy, researchers were able to ascertain the DEHP exposure levels of the mothers while carrying their children.

And through a series of check-ins throughout their development, they were then able to track which children had developed symptoms of autism and ADHD.

The research then found that the children whose mothers had greater levels of exposure during pregnancy had developed the most traits – establishing what researchers believe to be a link.

And the study’s latest report not only establishes the link, but claims to be able to explain why this happens.

“Our study found infants exposed to higher levels of DEHP before birth showed distinctive changes in DNA methylation – an epigenetic switch that turns genes on and off – in their umbilical cord blood at birth,” lead author Sam Tanner said.

The study found that exposure to the chemical likely triggered this “switch”, making the gene that produces neurodivergent traits active, resulting in the child developing symptoms.

Prof Anne-Louise Ponsonby, another of the study’s authors, said its goal was to better understand the impact chemicals found in plastic have on people – which can then inform decision-makers on what regulations are needed.

“Almost all women in this Australian study showed exposure to the common DEHP chemical,” she said.

“Chemical exposure levels are mainly determined at the population level and are not easily a matter of choice.

“Plastic chemicals like DEHP are often ingested, so government safety regulations around food processing and packaging are very important.”

DEHP. or Di- (2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate to give it its full scientific name, is a manufactured chemical which is used to make plastic products more flexible.