A new study has found that pregnant women exposed to plasticizer can give birth to children with aggressive behavior. Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes released the results of the study on Monday.
The study tracked 430 women in Taiwan for nine years following their pregnancy. Researchers found that plasticizer was passed from mothers to their babies through the placenta. Researcher Julie Wang explains.
“A baby can receive plasticizer in the womb if the mother is exposed to plasticizer," said Wang. "We found a positive correlation between exposure and aggressive behavior.”
Wang said that not only is it possible for women who come in close contact with plasticizer to give birth to aggressive babies, plasticizer in the environment can also have the same effect on both pregnant women and their babies.
Wang said that new moms should choose PVC-free teethers, pacifiers, and other toys, to prevent their babies from further contact with plasticizers.