Can prenatal phthalate exposure raise your child's blood pressure later?

What's actually in it

Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics and hold fragrance in personal care products. They're in vinyl flooring, shower curtains, food packaging, lotions, and shampoos. Pregnant women are exposed daily through skin contact, food, and air. These chemicals cross the placenta and reach the developing baby.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Pollut followed pregnant women and their children to see if prenatal phthalate exposure affected the kids' blood pressure by preschool age. The researchers found that higher phthalate levels during pregnancy were linked to higher blood pressure in the children at ages 3 to 5.

The study also found changes in DNA methylation in genes related to blood pressure regulation, suggesting that phthalates may reprogram how these genes work before the baby is even born. These changes could set a child up for heart problems later in life.

During pregnancy, switch to fragrance-free personal care products and avoid heating food in plastic containers. Choose glass or stainless steel for food storage, and steer clear of products with "fragrance" listed as an ingredient.