Page 159 - CW E-Magazine (20-2-2024)

News from Abroad

man School of Medicine, the new analy- diverse group of women than previous with the 10% with the lowest levels.
sis of phthalate exposure in more than studies on the topic, said Dr. Trasande. Meanwhile, the risk for preterm birth
5,000 American mothers has specifically was doubled for women exposed to
linked it to increased risk of lower To assess prenatal phthalate expo- the highest quantities of three com-
weight and gestational age (the period sure, the researchers measured levels mon DEHP alternatives, di-isodecyl
of time between conception and birth) of 20 different metabolites (the com- phthalate (DIDP), di-n-octyl phtha-
among newborns. These risk factors, ponents into which the chemicals break late (DnOP), and diisononyl phthalate
the authors say, are known to at least down within the body) in urine samples (DiNP), compared with those who had
modestly heighten risk for infant death, collected at three points during each little to no exposure.
interfere with academic performance, subject’s pregnancy. Then, the team
and may potentially contribute to heart looked for associations between these “These results demonstrate the need
disease and diabetes. metabolite levels and preterm births. to regulate phthalates as a class rather
Next, they estimated the resulting mone- than trying to address them one at a
“Our findings uncover the tremen- tary costs from intensive-care-unit time. Otherwise, investigators are likely
dous medical and financial burden of stays and other related medical bills, going to find the same study results
preterm births we believe are connected and lost worker productivity over a life- in another few years about the next
to phthalates, adding to the vast body time from lowered IQ points. group of chemicals used as replace-
of evidence that these chemicals pre- ments,” said Dr. Trasande. According
sent a serious danger to human health,” Besides examining overall exposure to him, the authors next plan to expand
said study lead author, Dr. Leonardo to the toxins, the authors also searched their analysis to exposures in other
Trasande, MD, MPP. “There is a clear for distinctions between specific phtha- countries and to examine the health
opportunity here to lessen these risks lates. In particular, they compared effects of preventing phthalate expo-
by either using safer plastic materials di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a sure in the first place. California, among
or by reducing the use of plastic chemical long used to make plastic a few US States, has banned some use
altogether whenever possible,” added more flexible, with several newer re- of phthalates in consumer products, as
Dr. Trasande, the Jim G. Hendrick, placements for DEHP, which has faced have European Union member states.
MD, Professor in the Department of heightened scrutiny in recent years.
Paediatrics at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Trasande cautioned that further
According to the findings, when research is needed to better understand
The study, publishing online in the grouping mothers based on the amount the specific mechanisms behind the link
journal The Lancet Planetary Health, of DEHP metabolites in their urine, the between phthalate exposure and pre-
is believed to be the largest of its kind 10% with the highest levels had a 50% term birth. Funding for the study was
to date and includes information from increased risk of giving birth before provided by US-National Institutes of
a much more racially and ethnically week 37 of their pregnancy, compared Health grants.
Birla Carbon plants in US and South Korea secure

ISCC Plus certification

Birla Carbon, one of the flagship sustainable and traceable practices,” Plus. From a stakeholder standpoint,
companies of the Aditya Birla group, said Mr. John Loudermilk, President ISCC Plus is a reliable system that
has announced that its plants in the USA and CEO, Birla Carbon. helps identify companies that provide
(Hickok) and South Korea (Yeosu) sustainable and circular raw materials.
have secured the ‘ISCC Plus’ certifica- The International Sustainability Birla Carbon said it is actively pursu-
tion with zero non-conformities. This and Carbon Certification (ISCC) is a ing ISCC Plus certification for several
accomplishment follows the successful voluntary scheme that is applicable for other global plants. The certification
ISCC Plus certification of Birla Car- the bioeconomy and circular economy process for two units in Brazil and
bon’s plant in Italy in May last year. for various sectors. All kinds of bio- three units in India, Spain, Egypt, and
“As we expand our certification efforts mass, waste and residues, non-biolo- Hungary is underway, with the remain-
globally, with the rest of our locations, gical renewables, and recycled carbon ing sites slated for completion through
we are reinforcing our dedication to materials can be certified under ISCC the remainder of CY 2024.

Chemical Weekly February 20, 2024 159

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