Are prenatal phthalates linked with toddler milestone concerns?
A large ECHO study found mixed single-phthalate results and mostly no significant mixture effect. It supports caution, not a simple claim that phthalates delay every toddler milestone.
Short answer
Some prenatal phthalate markers were linked with developmental screening concerns, but the results were mixed. This is not proof that phthalates delay every toddler milestone.
What the research found
A 2026 ECHO study in Environment International included 2,378 pregnant person-child pairs from 10 cohorts. Researchers measured urinary phthalate biomarkers during pregnancy and used the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition, for children ages 1 to 3.
Some single phthalate biomarkers were linked with higher odds of neurodevelopmental delay in motor and problem-solving domains. Other markers were linked with lower odds in communication. In mixture analyses, the overall phthalate mixture was mostly not significantly linked with delay odds.
What to do at home
During pregnancy, reduce easy phthalate sources. Avoid DBP, DEP, DEHP, and vague fragrance or parfum in personal-care and home products when a clearer option fits. Damp-mop dust, because phthalates collect there too.
The research at a glance
What to use instead
For pregnancy, start with personal-care and home products. Avoid DBP, DEP, DEHP, and vague fragrance or parfum when a clearer option fits.
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