Prenatal eksponering for plast-kjemikalier og helse og utvikling hos barn og unge
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether prenatal exposure to environmental toxicants, originating from plastic production or products, is associated with reproductive health problems in children and adolescents.
About the project
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Project period: 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2028 (Active)
- Coordinating Institution: Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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Project Manager:
- Gro Dehli Andersen, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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Project Participants:
- Bonnie Auyeung, The University of Edinburgh
- Christos Symeonides, Minderoo Foundation
- Sarah Dunlop, Minderoo Foundation
- Stephanie Engel, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Anne Lise Brantsæter, Food Safety
- Cathrine Thomsen, Food Safety
- Line Småstuen Haug, Food Safety
- Amrit Kaur Sakhi, Food Safety
- Ragnhild Eek Brandlistuen, Child Health and Development
- Guido Biele, Child Health and Development
- Mari Landås Warp, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Hans Ivar Hanevik, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Thea Karoline Walstad Grindstad, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Ida Henriette Caspersen, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Adriano Winterton, Child Health and Development
- Siri Eldevik Håberg, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Maria Christine Magnus, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Per Minor Magnus, Centre for Fertility and Health
- Thea Steen Skogheim, Health Services Research
- Heidi Aase, Child Health and Development
Summary
Plastic products are everywhere in our daily lives, from food packaging to household items. However, these products often contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, bisphenols, flame retardants, and PFAS, which can seep out and contaminate food, water, and even the air we breathe. These chemicals can disrupt our hormone systems, especially during critical periods of development like pregnancy and childhood.
Our research aims to understand weather environmental toxicants, originating from plastic production or products (phenols, organophosphate flame retardants, phthalates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) during pregnancy later affects health in children and youth.
We are particularly interested in whether these chemicals are linked to health issues such as developmental disorders (like ADHD and autism), reproductive problems (such as birth defects in boys or altered puberty development in boys and girls), and gender-identity related health issues. We will also investigate the role of sex steroid hormones during pregnancy and how plastic chemicals may cause endocrine alterations that mediate relationships with health outcomes.
Our studies will help determine if these common chemicals contribute to health problems and guide future regulations to protect public health, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and their children.