Research has shown that fetuses and newborns exposed to phthalates, known as environmental hormones, have an increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis. Getty ImagesResearch has shown that exposure to environmental hormones from the time of fetus to early birth increases the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. Professors Kang-mo Ahn, Ji-hyun Kim, and Min-young Jeong, Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Seoul Hospital, National Jewish Health, U.S.