A comprehensive new review published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health underscores the alarming health risks posed by early-life exposure to chemical additives found in everyday plastic products. Drawing on hundreds of recent studies, researchers at NYU Langone Health reveal how these ubiquitous substances—integral to a vast array of industrial and household plastics—may contribute to chronic illnesses and developmental disorders that persist well into adulthood. This investigation coincides with a global summit in New York City dedicated to understanding and mitigating the pervasive impacts of plastic pollution on human health.
The focal point of this extensive review involves three principal classes of chemicals commonly embedded in plastics: phthalates, bisphenols, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Phthalates are used primarily to render plastics more flexible, bisphenols impart rigidity and structural integrity, while PFAS confer resistance to heat, stains, and water. Together, these compounds have been linked to a broad spectrum of adverse health outcomes via their potential to disrupt endocrine function and provoke widespread inflammatory responses.
Thousands of study participants, encompassing pregnant mothers, fetuses, and children, contributed data that vividly illustrate the long-term consequences of exposure. The evidence points strongly toward increased susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders such as obesity, reproductive impairments including infertility, and respiratory conditions like asthma. These associations emphasize not only immediate toxicity concerns but also the insidious, lifelong burden of plastic-derived chemical exposure.
Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, lead author and pediatrician at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, articulates a growing consensus that plastic-related chemicals are deeply implicated in the etiology of numerous chronic diseases originating in early childhood. “The pervasiveness of these substances in everyday items—from food packaging and personal care products to thermal paper receipts—means that exposure is nearly unavoidable, especially for vulnerable populations,” Trasande explains. His work stresses the urgent necessity of curtailing unnecessary plastic use to safeguard future generations.
The toxicological mechanisms underlying these health effects are multifaceted. Many plastic additives act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfering with hormone synthesis, secretion, transport, and receptor binding. This disruption leads to altered regulation of metabolic, reproductive, immune, and neural systems. For example, phthalates and bisphenols mimic or block natural hormones, derailing developmental signaling pathways during critical windows of fetal and childhood growth.
Neurodevelopmental impairments receive particular emphasis in the review. Numerous epidemiological investigations have correlated early exposure to these substances with reduced intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and elevated risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Such associations illuminate an urgent public health challenge, as brain development is especially susceptible to chemical perturbations during gestation and infancy.
Besides direct chemical exposure, the review highlights the emerging concern of microplastics and nanoparticles released through the degradation or heating of plastic materials. These minute particles can be ingested and incorporated into biological tissues, potentially serving as vectors for chemical irritants and eliciting pro-inflammatory responses. The chronic inflammation triggered by these agents can damage multiple organ systems over time, compounding the health risks posed by the parent chemicals.
Mitigating the dangers of plastic chemical exposure requires multifaceted strategies, both at the individual and policy levels. The authors advocate for practical, cost-effective steps parents can take—such as replacing plastic food containers with glass or stainless steel alternatives, and avoiding heating or dishwashing plastic wares, which can increase leaching of dangerous compounds. Healthcare providers play a pivotal role by counseling families and advocating for safer consumer choices.
Furthermore, clinicians and researchers are encouraged to collaborate with educational and community organizations to raise awareness among younger individuals about the long-term risks of plastics exposure. Early education can foster behavioral changes that reduce contact with harmful substances, setting the stage for healthier lifespans and diminished disease incidence linked to environmental toxins.
On a broader scale, the article calls for strengthened regulatory frameworks that limit nonessential plastic use, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities that bear disproportionate health burdens. The review’s timing is critical, dovetailing with recent negotiations on the United Nations’ pioneering Global Plastics Treaty aimed at legally binding caps on plastic production and pollution control measures.
These policy discussions are essential because, despite the substantial economic interests vested in the plastics industry, the healthcare costs attributable to chemical exposures are staggering—estimated at approximately $250 billion annually in the United States alone. Accounting for these externalized expenses reframes the debate, underscoring the necessity for stricter environmental health protections.
Interestingly, the review clarifies that while plastics pose significant risks, they retain indispensable roles within pediatric medicine. Devices such as ventilators, feeding tubes, nebulizers, and protective masks rely on plastic materials to deliver life-saving care. The authors thus stress that the findings do not challenge plastics’ medical utility but advocate reducing their unnecessary and avoidable use in consumer products.
NYU Langone Health’s upcoming 2025 symposium on Plastics, Human Health, and Solutions will further examine these findings and foster dialogue on translating research into actionable public health interventions. Experts will discuss the biological impact of microplastics, evaluate policy advancements, and reinforce the imperative for cohesive regulatory approaches to this escalating crisis.
The evidence amassed affirms a growing narrative: exposure to plastic-associated chemicals during childhood is not a trivial concern but a critical determinant of lifelong health trajectories. With mounting scientific proof linking these substances to profound developmental and chronic disease outcomes, stakeholders across sectors must mobilize swiftly to mitigate exposure risks and prioritize environmental health.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: The effects of plastic exposures on children’s health and urgent opportunities for prevention
News Publication Date: 21-Sep-2025
References: Funding for the study provided by NIH grants R01ES022972, R01ES029779, R01ES032214, R01ES034793, and P2CES033423; additional funding from Argentinian foundations and the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. Study senior author Marina Olga Fernandez, PhD, and co-investigator Aleksandra Buha Đorđević, PhD.
Keywords: Plastics, Pediatrics, Toxins, Cognitive disorders, Obesity, Asthma, Heart disease, Infertility, Environmental health, Environmental policy, Environmental illness
