Researchers at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine found that exposure to phthalates—a group of additives found in a wide range of plastic products—contributed to 356,238 deaths in 2018, nearly 13.5 percent of all cardiovascular deaths in 2018.
DEHP is a widely used additive that increases flexibility and mitigates brittleness in plastics. It is found in all kinds of plastics, from PVC plumbing pipes, medical tubing, and vinyl flooring to garden hoses, food packaging, and some children’s toys.
Besides DEHP, there exists a whole family of phthalates with a wide range of uses. Some are added to personal care items, such as shampoo, soap, hair spray, and cosmetics, to make fragrances last longer.
“Phthalates contribute to inflammation and systemic inflammation in the coronary arteries, which can accelerate existing disease and lead to acute events including mortality,” said senior author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and population health at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. He is also the director of NYU Langone’s Division of Environmental Pediatrics and Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards.
“Phthalates are known to disrupt testosterone,” Trasande said, adding that in men, “low testosterone is a predictor of adult cardiovascular disease.”
Researchers analyzed health and environmental data from dozens of population surveys, which included urine samples containing chemical breakdown products left by DEHP, Trasande said.
The highest estimated DEHP-linked heart disease death rates were found in China, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and South America. India had the highest estimated DEHP-linked heart disease death total, with more than 103,000.
“This study uncovers a substantial global health burden attributable to DEHP exposure,” the authors wrote. “These data highlight critical global disparities in loss of life due to plastics pollution.”
“Avoid plastics as much as you can. Reducing your use of ultraprocessed foods can reduce the levels of the chemical exposures you come in contact with,” Trasande said. “Never put plastic containers in the microwave or dishwasher, where the heat can break down the linings so they might be absorbed more readily.”
The research is the latest study exploring the impacts this chemical family has on human health.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has currently classified DEHP as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans.