These ‘everywhere’ plastic chemicals could be fueling U.S. premature births — and they’re likely in your home

In 2024, one in ten infants were born prematurely in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), babies who survive are often at greater risk of developmental delays, cerebral palsy, feeding problems, and even vision issues. Studies have revealed that this may be linked to chemicals used to make plastics more flexible.

According to CNN, the two chemicals are Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate. On packaging, they’re usually simplified to their acronyms, DEHP and DiNP, respectively. They’re considered “cousins” in the scientific community, and the collective name for these synthetic chemicals is phthalates.