Phthalates are a family of chemicals used in plastics to soften them and increase flexibility. Phthalates can also be used as solvents in products as varied as cosmetic care, construction materials, textiles or even children's toys.
Researchers analyzed the urine of more than 5,000 pregnant women in the United States. Those with the highest phthalate levels had a 50% increased risk of giving birth prematurely, compared to women with the lowest phthalated levels. Nearly 56,600 premature births could be linked to phthalates in 2018, or about 10% of premature births in the U.S.