A chemical found in water bottles has been linked to premature birth

BPA has long been known to be problematic and a new study suggests that it could pose an extra threat for pregnant women.

Bisphenol A (BPA for short) is found in many common plastics, including some food containers, canned goods, water pipes and dental sealants and plastic water bottles. Exposure to the chemical compound is near universal because it is so ubiquitous. Research has shown that the chemical can interfere with the endocrine system by mimicking estrogen, one of the main sex hormones found in women. A new study has shown a link between BPA and premature birth. Researchers at Harvard Chan School of Public Health in Boston found that women who had the highest level of BPA in their systems before becoming pregnant were six times more likely to give birth prematurely compared to others. The study included urine samples from 364 women, collected before they became pregnant. Of these, 32 gave birth prematurely. The research also found that a higher exposure to phthalates, also commonly found in numerous plastics, doubled the chance of premature birth. It's thought that these chemical compounds can both cause issues with a woman's eggs which can later lead to premature labour. "This research points out that pre-conception factors are important but often poorly understood factors in reproduction," said Dr Peter Schlegel, president-elect of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It's not the first time that BPA has been found be harmful to the development of an unborn child. A 2017 study showed that it can raise a baby's risk of obesity by reducing sensitivity to a hormone responsible for controlling appetite.