Dozens of chemicals found in pregnant U.S. women, with levels spiking in summertime

In short:

• Of the 113 individual chemicals analyzed, 36 of them (30%) were found in more than 70% of the women tested.
• Some chemicals were found in 95% or more of the women, including metabolites of nine phthalates, three parabens, two benzophenones, two pesticides/insecticides, one flame retardant, and bisphenol S (a common BPA replacement).
• Exposure to certain groups of chemicals varied significantly by season, with contamination from herbicides, phthalates, and organophosphorus flame retardants spiking in the warmer months.
• Some trends in contamination reflected the success of regulatory efforts to reduce public exposure, such as a steady decline in bactericide contamination after the FDA banned them from some commercial products in 2016.

Key quote:

“Epidemiological evidence links chemical exposure during pregnancy to adverse maternal and child health outcomes, yet only a fraction of chemicals used in commerce in the United States are biomonitored nationally and have undergone comprehensive safety review.”

Why this matters:

Individuals around the globe are constantly exposed to a wide variety of chemicals through interactions with the environment, consumer products, and even their food and water supply. Very few of these chemicals are regulated, and health risks are typically only considered on a chemical-by-chemical basis, ignoring the potential for cumulative effects. The authors of this study note that some of the chemicals found repeatedly in their testing were not included in biomonitoring carried out by the CDC during the same time period, highlighting the gap between the U.S.’ narrow approach to chemical regulation and the realities of public exposure.

Related EHN coverage:

• Chemical exposures before conception can impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes, study finds
• Chemical mixtures may impact fertility and IVF success, new study finds
• Clinicians can help address environmental toxics in reproductive health, international experts say

More resources:

• SafetyNEST provides resources on how to reduce environmental exposures while pregnant and at home.
• The Plastic Detox Action Hub, a companion website to the Netflix documentary The Plastic Detox, provides recommendations on how to reduce plastic use in the key areas of your home.

Ortlund, K. et al. (2025). Characterizing Prenatal Exposure to Contemporary and Emerging Chemicals in a Prospective Cohort of Pregnant Women in Atlanta, Georgia. Environment & Health.