Plastic Exposure Before Birth Linked to ADHD And Autism Symptoms. Here’s What You Need to Know.

Photo: Phthalates can be found in shower curtains, vegan leathers, cosmetics and even rain-gear. Photo credit: Xavi Cabrera via Unsplash. Article by Jess Cockerill. ScienceAlert – September 12, 2026. Research article: Med.

A new study linking the likelihood of autism and ADHD symptoms in early life to in-utero exposure to a common plasticizer is no doubt going to cause a stir. It’s another chapter in the ongoing search for answers to some pretty complex questions, like why autism and ADHD diagnoses are on the rise, and why so many children around the world seem to be afflicted with behavior problems, and what the chemicals in plastics could be doing to our brains. And while it’s an interesting addition to the research, there are very specific things this new study can (and can’t) tell us about all these hot topics in science, and what patterns are emerging between them. Let’s get into it. […]

Click here to view the press release at www.sciencealert.com

Video: Phthalates explained – Harvard University.

Related articles:

Autism linked to early exposure to a common plastic additive – New Atlas

We Found Harmful Contaminants in Most of the Kids’ Snacks We Tested, but Some Better Options, Too – Consumer Reports

A Low-Plastic Diet Has Detectable Impacts on Urine Levels Within a Week, New Experiment Shows – ScienceAlert