Exposure to everyday chemicals in early pregnancy may have a link to asthma in children.

Researchers measured 24 types of phenols in urine samples from pregnant women. Phenols are a preservative and anti-microbial chemical commonly found in lotions, shampoos, cleaning products and plastics.
After tracking the health of the children until the age of four, the study found that high levels of the phenol butylparaben during early pregnancy was associated with a 1.54-fold increase in the odds of asthma developing.
Additionally, exposure to 4-nonylphenol was linked to a 2.09 times higher chance of developing asthma in boys, but no association was found in girls.
‘These results emphasise the need for careful evaluation of chemical exposure during pregnancy,’ said lead researcher, Dr Sohei Kuraoka. ‘Understanding these risks allows us to develop better guidelines to protect maternal and child health.’
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