ほとんどの妊婦が安全性未評価の化学物質を多数体内に保持していることが判明(Most pregnant women carry dozens of untested chemicals)

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2026-06-17 スタンフォード大学

Stanford Universityの研究チームは、5,000組以上の母子を対象とした大規模研究から、妊婦が日常生活で平均45種類、多い人では64種類もの化学物質に曝露されていることを明らかにした。対象となった113種類の化学物質には、フタル酸エステル類、代替可塑剤、多環芳香族炭化水素(PAHs)、ハロゲン化フェノール類などが含まれ、食品、飲料水、大気、プラスチック製品、化粧品、日用品など身近な環境に広く存在していた。これらの複数の化学物質への曝露は、早産や低出生体重児などの好ましくない出生転帰と関連していた。一方、米国で使用登録されている約4万種類の化学物質のうち、包括的な安全性評価が実施されたものは30種類未満にとどまることも指摘された。研究チームは、個人による曝露低減の努力だけでは限界があり、化学物質の健康影響評価の充実や規制強化など、社会全体での対策が必要であるとしている。

<関連情報>

ECHOコホートにおける10種類の優先化学物質への妊娠中の曝露と出生転帰 Gestational Exposure to 10 Classes of Priority Chemicals and Birth Outcomes in the ECHO Cohort

Jessie P. Buckley, PhD, MPH; Diana C. Pacyga, PhD; Xiaoshuang Xun, PhD;et al
JAMA Network Open  Published:June 17, 2026
DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.18883

ほとんどの妊婦が安全性未評価の化学物質を多数体内に保持していることが判明(Most pregnant women carry dozens of untested chemicals)

Key Points

Question Are gestational exposures to 10 classes of widely used chemicals associated with younger gestational age at birth or lower birth weight?

Findings In this cohort study measuring 113 analytes in 5318 maternal gestational urine samples, multiple phthalates or alternative plasticizers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were associated with younger gestational age at birth or lower birth weight z scores.

Meaning This study indicates that reducing gestational exposure to chemicals, particularly phthalates or alternative plasticizers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, could improve birth outcomes and future child health.

Abstract

Importance Gestational environmental chemical exposures are widespread. Some chemicals are known to adversely affect birth outcomes, but many remain understudied.

Objective To evaluate associations of gestational exposure to a priori identified chemicals in 10 classes with birth outcomes in a large, diverse US cohort.

Design, Setting, and Participants In the prospective Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Cohort study, 5318 mother-child pairs were enrolled from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2021, with data on gestational urinary chemical concentrations, gestational age at birth, and birth weight. Statistical analysis was performed from January 2024 to February 2026.

Exposures In single, midgestation (median, 25 weeks [IQR, 21-30 weeks]) urine samples, concentrations of 113 analytes (chemicals or their metabolites) from 10 chemical classes were simultaneously measured: fungicides and herbicides (n = 11), insecticides (n = 20), halogenated phenols (n = 5), organophosphate esters (n = 10), benzophenones (n = 6), bisphenols (n = 14), parabens (n = 6), antimicrobials (n = 2), phthalates or alternative plasticizers (n = 32), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (n = 7).

Main Outcomes and Measures Linear mixed-effects regression models with a random effect for site were used to estimate covariate-adjusted differences in gestational age at birth (days) and birth weight-for-gestational age (BW-GA) z scores per IQR increase in urinary analyte concentrations. In secondary analyses, odds ratios (ORs) for preterm birth and small for gestational age (SGA) were estimated.

Results In the sample of 5318 mother-child pairs, most infants (2667 female [50%]; median gestational age at birth, 39.0 weeks [IQR, 38.0-40.0 weeks]) were born to college-educated (67% [3218 of 4785]), parous (56% [2815 of 5007]) mothers (median age at delivery, 30.7 years [IQR, 26.1-34.3 years]). A total of 43 of 113 analytes (38%) were detected in 50% or more of samples. Multiple phthalates or alternative plasticizers were associated with younger gestational age at birth or lower BW-GA z scores; for example, summed diisononyl phthalate metabolites were associated with a 0.6-day (95% CI, −1.0 to −0.1 days) younger gestational age (preterm birth OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.01-1.34]), and summed phthalate or alternative plasticizers were associated with a 0.06 (95% CI, −0.11 to −0.02) lower BW-GA z score (SGA OR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.93-1.27]). Two halogenated phenols, benzophenone 8, bisphenol F, and several PAHs were associated with lower BW-GA z scores; for example, 1- and 9-hydroxphenanthrene were associated with a 0.04 (95% CI, −0.08 to −0.01) lower BW-GA z score (SGA OR, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.01-1.27]).

Conclusions and Relevance This large cohort study of diverse US pregnancies found widespread exposure to 10 classes of environmental chemicals, many of which were associated with differences in gestational age at birth or lower BW-GA z scores. These findings indicate that reducing gestational exposure to chemicals, particularly phthalates or alternative plasticizers and PAHs, could promote healthy deliveries and better child outcomes.

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