Researchers at NYU Langone Health have discovered that exposure to a widely used plastic additive called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) could be linked to more than 350,000 deaths from heart disease globally in 2018 alone. This study sheds light on a major but little-known factor contributing to heart disease and highlights the urgent need for better protections and precautions against toxic chemicals in our environment and frequently consumed products.
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics softer and more flexible. They are found in many household products such as food containers, medical equipment, cosmetics, detergents, and bug repellents. Since these chemicals tend to break down into tiny air- and surface-borne particles, people can absorb them daily, often without realizing it. Previous research has connected phthalate exposure to several health problems including obesity, diabetes, fertility issues, and certain cancers. Even prenatal exposure to the chemicals may lead to a decreased IQ in children. Now, a new study adds heart disease to a growing list of concerns.
Although these chemicals are found in everyday products around the world, certain regions are affected much more than others. Regions hit the hardest by phthalate exposure include the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific islands. Specifically, India, China, and Indonesia—regions with fast growing plastics industries—experienced the highest number of deaths from DEHP-related heart disease. A leader in environmental health, Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, states, “Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in areas most affected by rapid industrialization and plastic consumption.”
Medical journalist, Lisa O’Mary emphasized that the study only shows correlation, not a cause and effect relationship between the chemicals and the health effects and that scientists are largely unsure if there really is a relationship between phthalates and heart disease. The NYU study also does not factor in other variables that might affect the results. However, considering that phthalates have been linked to other health problems in the past, this study is important in better understanding their impact and the potential long-term consequences on public health.Though the chemicals are largely unavoidable, some health organizations have recommendations for ways we can reduce our exposure to phthalates in our homes. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Washington State Department of Ecology suggest frequent mopping and dusting to remove dust that may contain the particles, that people avoid plastic containers with the recycling codes three, six, and seven (which are more likely to contain phthalates), and to opt for glass, steel, or ceramic containers for food and drink storage whenever possible.
