Safer Plastic Additive DINCH Linked to Smaller Birth Sizes in Large-Scale Pregnancy Study
Event summary
- NYU Langone Health study of 6,617 pregnancies found higher DINCH exposure linked to lighter and smaller newborns, with a 27-gram reduction in birth weight per tenfold increase in exposure.
- 50-70% of pregnant women in the study had measurable DINCH by-products in their urine.
- DINCH exposure in the third trimester was more strongly tied to lower birth weight for gestational age.
- Hispanic mothers and those with lower education levels were more likely to have children affected by DINCH.
- Study published in Environment International on October 4, 2026, funded by the NIH's ECHO program.
The big picture
The study challenges the safety profile of DINCH, a chemical promoted as a safer alternative to phthalates, and highlights the need for pre-market testing of plastic additives. This research comes amid growing concerns about the health impacts of plasticizers and the push for stronger global regulations on chemical safety. The findings may accelerate the shift towards non-toxic materials in food packaging and other consumer products.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Headwinds
- How the study's findings will influence the global plastics treaty negotiations at the United Nations and potential new regulations on plastic additives.
- Health Disparities
- Whether the observed disparities in DINCH exposure among Hispanic and lower-education mothers will drive targeted public health interventions.
- Chemical Alternatives
- The pace at which plastics manufacturers will shift to other alternatives as DINCH comes under scrutiny.