Plastic Additive DINCH Linked to Reduced Fetal Growth in New Study

A chemical commonly used to make plastics more flexible, diisononyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), may also be harmful to fetal development, according to a new study led by NYU Langone Health researchers. The analysis of 6,617 pregnancies linked higher levels of DINCH in pregnant women's urine to lighter and smaller newborns.

Each tenfold increase in DINCH exposure was associated with a 27-gram reduction in newborn birth weight. "Our findings suggest that a chemical promoted as a safer replacement for phthalates may affect how babies grow in the womb," stated lead author Dr. Leonardo Trasande. He emphasized that even small differences in birth size can be significant, as fetal growth problems can increase the risk for heart disease, learning difficulties, and obesity later in life.

The study, published in Environment International, utilized data from the nationwide Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes program. Researchers measured DINCH breakdown products in urine samples from pregnant women and compared them to the birth weight and length of their newborns. The results indicated that 50 to 70 percent of women in the study had measurable levels of DINCH by-products in their urine.

The research also raises concerns about health disparities, noting that DINCH exposure was more prevalent among Hispanic women and those with lower educational attainment. The authors call for stricter oversight of plastic additives, suggesting they should be tested before market introduction. They also highlight the UN plastic treaty negotiations as an opportunity to establish such policies.