Can prenatal phenol exposure from personal care products increase preterm birth risk?

What's actually in it

Environmental phenols include BPA, triclosan, benzophenone-3 (from sunscreen), and parabens. They enter your body through personal care products, food packaging, and cleaning supplies. During pregnancy, these chemicals can affect the timing of labor and delivery. Some communities face higher exposure due to product marketing differences.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Int J Hyg Environ Health examined how prenatal exposure to phenol mixtures affects preterm birth risk across different racial groups. The researchers found racial differences in the associations, with some phenol mixtures posing a greater preterm birth risk in certain populations. The mixtures of phenols had different effects than individual chemicals alone.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death and long-term disability. Phenol exposure may trigger early labor by disrupting hormones that control the timing of delivery.

During pregnancy, choose fragrance-free, paraben-free personal care products. Use mineral sunscreen instead of chemical sunscreen. Avoid antibacterial soaps containing triclosan.