Overview

• Published Sept. 21 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, the review synthesizes hundreds of studies on early-life exposure to plastic-associated chemicals.
• It spotlights phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS in everyday products and links prenatal and childhood exposures to heart disease, obesity, infertility, asthma, and IQ loss.
• Experts describe microplastic and nanoparticle release during use or heating of plastics as a key exposure pathway, even as the authors note plastics remain indispensable in pediatric medical care.
• Recommended steps include choosing glass or stainless containers and avoiding microwaving or dishwashing plastic, with some experts noting microplastics have been detected even in glass bottles.
• The authors urge curbing nonessential uses, cite U.S. health costs near $250 billion annually from exposures, and time their guidance with UN plastics treaty talks and an NYU symposium.