Can polystyrene from food containers cause pregnancy complications?

What's actually in it

Polystyrene is the plastic in foam takeout containers, disposable coffee cups, and some food trays. As it degrades, it releases nanoparticles smaller than 1 micrometer into your food and drinks. These particles are small enough to cross from your gut into your bloodstream and eventually reach the placenta.

The placenta is a critical organ that provides oxygen and nutrients to a growing baby. Damage to it can cause serious pregnancy complications.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Hazard Mater showed that polystyrene nanoparticles caused adverse pregnancy outcomes by triggering ferroptosis in placental cells. Ferroptosis is a specific type of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, where iron reactions destroy cell membranes.

The nanoparticles accumulated in placental tissue and disrupted the antioxidant defense system. They reduced levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), an enzyme that normally stops the iron-driven chain reaction from destroying cell membranes. Without enough GPX4, placental cells died off.

The resulting placental damage led to restricted fetal growth, reduced placental blood flow, and in some cases pregnancy loss. The effects were dose-dependent: more nanoparticles meant more damage.

Avoid foam food containers and disposable polystyrene cups, especially during pregnancy. Use ceramic mugs for hot drinks and bring your own glass or stainless steel containers for takeout food.