Everyday Plastic Chemicals Tied To Small Behavioural Differences In Toddlers, Study Finds

Chemicals that leach from common plastic items — including some baby products — may be linked to small differences in emotional and behavioural development in young children, a new multi‑cohort study suggests.

Study Details

The research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, analysed urine samples from more than 1,000 pregnant women enrolled in cohorts across France and Spain. Investigators measured prenatal exposure to two compounds increasingly used as alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA): bisphenol S (BPS) and methylparaben.

Key Findings

Higher prenatal concentrations of BPS and methylparaben were associated with modest differences in children’s emotional and behavioural scores at 18–24 months. The associations were small but statistically detectable and appeared to differ by sex; the link between BPS and behavioural scores was stronger in boys than girls.

Authors’ caveat: The research indicates “important potential connections” but does not establish that prenatal exposure to these chemicals directly causes behavioural problems.

What Experts Say

Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University, emphasised that the study reports associations, not causation. He noted that urinary measurements largely reflect recently excreted chemicals and that only a limited number of samples were collected per participant, which may not capture exposure across the full pregnancy.

BPA was once used in baby bottles and food containers that was linked to hormonal disruption and possible developmental effects (AP)

Dr Ria Devereux, Environmental Research Fellow at the University of East London, reminded readers that early childhood behaviour is shaped by many factors — including home environment, socioeconomic status and genetics — many of which were not fully captured by this study. She also noted that evidence on BPS is mixed across different studies.

Biological Pathways And Limitations

The research team tested whether changes in stress hormones might explain the observed patterns but did not identify a clear biological pathway. Limitations include the small number of urine samples per woman, potential unmeasured confounders (such as sleep, diet and postnatal environment) and the observational design, which cannot prove causation.

Context And Implications

BPS and methylparaben have been adopted widely as BPA substitutes in plastics, thermal paper and personal-care products. Earlier concerns about BPA’s endocrine activity prompted bans in baby bottles and tighter limits in food packaging across the EU and other jurisdictions. The study’s authors call for more research before regulatory changes are recommended but argue that exposures during pregnancy — a sensitive window for fetal development — warrant closer attention.

Bottom line: This large observational study adds to growing scrutiny of BPA alternatives by reporting modest associations with early behavioural scores. The results are hypothesis‑generating and underscore the need for further research to confirm findings, clarify mechanisms and assess long‑term outcomes.