MoBa-PlastChem: Prenatal exposure to plastic chemicals and health and development in children and adolescents from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study
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, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Cathrine Thomsen, Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Line Småstuen Haug, Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Amrit Kaur Sakhi, Food Safety, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Ragnhild Eek Brandlistuen, Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Guido Biele, Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Mari Landås Warp, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Hans Ivar Hanevik, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Thea Karoline Walstad Grindstad, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Ida Henriette Caspersen, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Adriano Winterton, Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Siri Eldevik Håberg, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Maria Christine Magnus, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Per Minor Magnus, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Thea Steen Skogheim, Health Services Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Heidi Aase, Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
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.