Phthalate exposure linked to high blood pressure in pregnancy

A study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society suggests that exposure to phthalates, chemicals found in plastics and personal care products, may be linked to high blood pressure in pregnant women.

Researchers from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from 338 pregnant women participating in the Environmental Reproductive and Glucose Outcomes (ERGO) Study. The study monitored phthalate exposure and blood pressure at three different points during pregnancy. The findings indicated that women with higher urine concentrations of fragrance-associated phthalates tended to have higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure markers, increasing the risk of hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia.

While the researchers noted that the study does not prove phthalates cause high blood pressure, they suggested that reducing exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals—particularly by limiting use of fragranced personal care products—could potentially improve pregnancy health outcomes. Approximately 13% of the study participants developed a pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorder.