Exposure to substances commonly used in food packaging, personal-care and other everyday products could lead to miscarriages, according to a recent study.

Researchers found that exposure to certain phthalates is associated with pregnancy loss, mostly between five and 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Studies on phthalates has shown that long-term exposure to low levels of the some of these compounds harms lab animals' health and can increase their risk for pregnancy loss. Additionally, at least one study found that female factory workers exposed to high levels of phthalates through their work were at a higher risk for miscarriage. But there is little epidemiological evidence of phthalates' effects on pregnancy among women with non-occupational exposure.

For the study, researchers collected and analyzed data from more than 300 women.

They tested urine samples from 132 women who had miscarriages and 172 healthy pregnant women in China. They found pregnancy loss was associated with higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites from diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP). Although this doesn't prove that phthalates cause pregnancy loss, the study suggests an association exists that the researchers say should be studied further.

The United States has banned six phthalates from use in certain products made for young children. But many are still included as ingredients in paints, medical tubes, vinyl flooring, soaps, shampoos and other items.

The findings are detailed in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology.