Plastics Chemical Linked to Higher Breast Cancer Risk, Study Finds

A long-term study showing that chemicals in everyday plastics may significantly increase breast cancer risk is raising alarm. Consumer caution is particularly warranted as hazardous substances exceeding safety limits continue to be detected in products purchased through overseas direct-purchase platforms.

On the 21st (local time), Taiwan's Academia Sinica announced that phthalates, a plastic plasticizer, may increase breast cancer risk, based on a 20-year tracking study. The findings were published in the March issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The study recruited approximately 12,000 women between 1991 and 1992, collected urine samples and lifestyle data, then tracked breast cancer incidence over the long term. Researchers compared 119 breast cancer patients with 245 control subjects.

The analysis found that high exposure to DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), a common phthalate plasticizer, combined with low metabolic efficiency increased breast cancer risk by 2.68 times. For women who experienced menarche before age 14, the risk increased up to 7.52 times.

Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics and are widely found in toys, flooring, food containers, and cosmetics. Previous studies have linked them to reduced sperm count, infertility, anemia, and impaired cognitive development in children.

Chen Chien-jen, former Vice President of Taiwan who led the research, said, "High-risk women should reduce phthalate exposure and undergo regular breast cancer screenings. This can help establish early prevention strategies."

However, under domestic regulatory standards, general exposure levels are currently assessed to be within safe ranges. A 2024 integrated risk assessment of seven phthalate types conducted by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety confirmed that exposure through food containers, cosmetics, and infant products posed no health concerns.

The problem lies with overseas direct-purchase products. A blind spot has emerged as products distributed through some online platforms have been found to contain phthalates far exceeding safety limits.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency, seven children's headphone products sold on overseas direct-purchase platforms contained phthalates up to 200 times higher than domestic limits (0.1% or below). Some infant tricycles also showed levels significantly exceeding limits in their handle components.

Domestically distributed products are safety-managed through KC certification, but overseas direct-purchase products frequently enter the country without meeting these standards.