Can prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants affect whether your baby is born a healthy size?

What's actually in it

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include chemicals like PCBs, dioxins, and organochlorine pesticides. They enter the food chain through contaminated soil and water and concentrate in fatty foods like meat, dairy, and fish. These chemicals persist in your body fat for years and cross the placenta during pregnancy.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Res from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort measured prenatal POP exposure and tracked birth outcomes. The researchers found that POP exposure affected birth size differently in boys and girls. Some pollutants were linked to lower birth weight in one sex but not the other.

Being born too small increases the risk of breathing problems, infections, and developmental delays. The sex-specific effects suggest that these chemicals disrupt hormone-dependent growth pathways.

Trim fat from meat and fish before cooking to reduce POP intake. Choose lean cuts and vary your protein sources. Eating a diverse diet spreads out your exposure.