Exposure to a widely used herbicide during the middle months of pregnancy may increase the chance of giving birth before 37 weeks, according to a study published on July 22.
The research, led by NYU Langone Health, focused on glyphosate, the active ingredient in professional-grade Roundup products commonly sprayed on commercial crops and residential gardens. The study included 1,450 women and found that those with higher levels of glyphosate in urine samples collected during midpregnancy were more likely to experience spontaneous preterm labor compared to those with lower amounts. This pattern was not observed when glyphosate was measured earlier in pregnancy or in cases where early births were medically induced.
According to the researchers, past studies have linked heavy use of glyphosate among farmworkers to non-Hodgkin lymphoma and other health concerns. However, less is known about everyday exposure from food consumption. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that more than 80 percent of Americans likely have detectable levels of the herbicide in their urine.
Preterm birth remains a leading cause of illness and death among newborns, with premature babies facing increased risks for breathing problems, infections, and long-term developmental challenges. Laboratory studies have suggested that glyphosate might trigger inflammatory mechanisms leading to early labor. Previous human studies have been small or inconsistent; this new work is one of the largest studies examining this issue and is notable for measuring exposure at multiple points during pregnancy.
The research team used data from the Children's Health and Environment Study involving women who planned deliveries at NYU Langone–affiliated hospitals between 2016 and 2019. Participants provided urine samples twice: once between four and seventeen weeks into pregnancy and again between eighteen and twenty-five weeks. Medical records were reviewed for delivery timing and whether any early births were spontaneous or medically induced.
"These results underscore the need for stronger regulations to protect the health of pregnant women and infants, two groups long known to be especially vulnerable to chemicals in the environment," said study senior author Leonardo Trasande. Trasande also cautioned that while families may choose organic produce when possible, individual choices alone are unlikely to eliminate exposure due to its widespread presence.
