Chemicals found in perfumes, toiletries and plastics may be linked to high blood pressure during pregnancy, according to a study by US researchers.
Women with the highest levels of synthetic chemicals known as phthalates in their blood recorded the highest blood pressure readings during the investigation. Out of 338 pregnant women tracked by the research team, 13 per cent developed a pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorder.
The study, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, tracked chemical levels in urine alongside blood pressure at 11, 19 and 26 weeks into pregnancy. Researchers identified monoethyl phthalate, which enters the body through the skin or is inhaled via air and dust containing fragrance residues, as the chemical most consistently associated with elevated blood pressure.
Phthalate Exposure and Health Risks
Kimberly Parra, a doctoral candidate at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, served as an author on the study. "Our study suggests that having higher concentrations of personal care product-associated chemicals, known as phthalates, in the body might contribute to elevated blood pressure in pregnancy," Parra said.
Parra added that limiting exposure to fragranced goods could help protect maternal health. "Reducing exposure to this class of chemicals by limiting personal care products containing these ingredients, particularly those with fragrance, may be a way to address high blood pressure in pregnancy and improve pregnancy health," she said.
Phthalates are a family of synthetic chemical compounds widely used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastics, as well as to stabilize scents in cosmetics and personal care items. Previous medical studies have connected phthalate exposure to reduced sperm counts, reproductive issues and general fertility complications.
Pregnancy Complications and Regulations
High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pressing against artery walls becomes dangerously high. The condition affects one in ten pregnant women in the United Kingdom and increases the likelihood of severe complications, including premature delivery and low birth weight. While factors such as obesity are known causes of maternal hypertension, experts say the new findings show chemical exposures may also elevate blood pressure.
Dangerous phthalates that carry reproductive toxicity risks are banned from cosmetics and beauty products sold across the UK. However, generic labelling rules allow companies to group multiple fragrance ingredients under single terms such as "fragrance" or "parfum", which can obscure specific non-banned chemicals or trace components from consumers.
