In March 2019 researchers from the USA and Canada published the results of their study to assess the impact of phthalates on children’s cognitive abilities. A total of 253 mother-child pairs were involved in the study. Urinary levels of 11 types of phthalates were assessed twice during pregnancy and 6 times during visits when children were aged between 1-8 years. In addition, the child’s cognitive abilities were assessed at ages 5 and 8 years. Results showed that the association between some phthalates and intelligence varied by visit. It was seen that higher urinary levels of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalates, mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, and monoethyl phthalate at age 3 and monobenzyl phthalate at 16 weeks gestation and child ages 3, 5, and 8 years were associated with a decrease in the child’s cognitive abilities.
Li N et al. Identifying periods of susceptibility to the impact of phthalates on children’s cognitive abilities. Environ Res. 2019 Mar 5;172:604-614