The everyday use of plastic products exposes us to plastic-associated chemicals (PACs), which have been associated with risks to human health. We present the results of the Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health Trial, with an observational cohort of 211 Australian participants and a 7-day pilot randomized controlled trial in 60 participants.
Intervention groups received combinations of plastic-free kitchenware, low-plastic personal-care products and food sourced from more than 100 producers that minimized all plastic touchpoints from paddock to plate, while the control group received no intervention. The primary trial outcome was a reduction in urinary plastics-associated chemicals levels.
In the cohort study, highly processed, plastic-packaged and canned foods were important modifiable factors for urinary PAC metabolite levels. Additionally, we observed negative associations between cardiometabolic biomarkers and higher urinary di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites.
Nature Medicine published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 21 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Low-plastic diet and urinary levels of plastic-associated phthalates and bisphenols: the randomized controlled PERTH Trial.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.