Can fetal exposure to bisphenols and phthalates cause breathing problems in infants?

What's actually in it

Pregnant women are exposed to bisphenols from food cans and plastic containers, and phthalates from vinyl products, personal care items, and fragrance-containing products. Both chemical families cross the placenta. The developing baby's lungs are forming throughout pregnancy, making them vulnerable to chemical disruption.

Respiratory problems in the first year of life, including wheezing, bronchitis, and recurrent colds, are among the most common reasons parents bring babies to the doctor.

What the research says

A 2026 study from the Generation R Next cohort measured bisphenols and phthalates in fetal tissue and compared those levels to respiratory outcomes during the baby's first year.

Babies with higher fetal exposure to these chemicals had more respiratory conditions in infancy. The link was found for both chemical families, and the combination of bisphenols plus phthalates together was stronger than either alone.

The chemicals likely interfere with lung development in the womb. The lungs are one of the last organs to fully mature, and they're actively growing throughout the third trimester. Endocrine disruptors during this window can change how lung tissue forms and how the airway immune system is programmed.

Reducing exposure during pregnancy means choosing glass over plastic for food, going fragrance-free with personal care products, and avoiding vinyl products. These steps lower both bisphenol and phthalate levels at the same time.