Exposure to Plastics in Childhood Connected to Long-Term Health Problems: Lancet Review - Video

A new review published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health warns that childhood exposure to chemicals used in everyday plastic products presents significant and long-lasting health risks. The comprehensive study, led by experts at NYU Langone Health, analyzes hundreds of recent studies and highlights a direct link between early-life exposure to plastic-related chemicals and a range of chronic health conditions.

The review, spearheaded by pediatrician Dr. Leonardo Trasande, draws from decades of research and includes data from thousands of pregnant women, fetuses, and children. It focuses on three major classes of chemicals commonly found in plastics: phthalates, which make plastic flexible; bisphenols, which add rigidity; and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which provide resistance to heat and water. These chemicals are present in a wide array of consumer goods such as food packaging, cosmetics, and even paper receipts.

Researchers found that exposure to these substances early in life is strongly associated with chronic conditions, including heart disease, obesity, infertility, and asthma. They also linked these chemicals to inflammation, hormone disruption, and impaired brain development. “Our findings point to plastic’s role in the early origins of many chronic diseases that reverberate into adolescence and adulthood,” said Dr. Trasande. “If we want kids to stay healthy and live longer, then we need to get serious about limiting the use of these materials.”

The review also highlights actionable strategies for reducing exposure. Simple changes like using glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic, and avoiding microwaving or dishwashing plastic items, can make a difference. Dr. Trasande emphasized, “There are safe, simple steps that parents can take to limit their children’s plastic exposure without breaking the bank.”

At a policy level, the authors urge stricter regulations, especially in low-income communities where health disparities are most severe. Their findings support calls for stronger international measures, including the United Nations’ Global Plastics Treaty.

While acknowledging the essential role of plastic in medical settings, the review underscores the need to reduce its unnecessary use elsewhere, to safeguard both human and environmental health.

Reference: The effects of plastic exposures on children's health and urgent opportunities for prevention, Trasande, Leonardo et al., The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Volume 0, Issue 0