News•Jun 25, 2026
The Everyday Consumer Products That May Shape Children’s IQ
A new study of 718 pregnant women links routine exposure to common plastics, cosmetics and cleaning agents with lower IQ scores in their children. Researchers measured 26 endocrine‑disrupting chemicals, finding that higher maternal levels corresponded with reduced cognitive performance at age seven, with boys losing an average of two IQ points. Bisphenol A and its substitute bisphenol F showed the strongest association, while pesticides, phthalates, chlorpyrifos, PFAS and triclosan also contributed. The findings highlight the cumulative risk of low‑level, multi‑chemical exposure during pregnancy.
