More than 2.6 million people aged 55 to 64 died from cardiovascular disease in 2018, and 13.5 percent of those deaths were linked to DEHP exposure. This plastic ingredient is present in thousands of everyday items and has been found in the bodies of people across the globe. Researchers warn that if the connection proves causal, more than one in eight cardiovascular deaths worldwide may trace back to this chemical.
Table of Contents:
- Leonardo Trasande and New York University findings
- Changcheng Zhou and regional death rates
- Children, pregnancy and other phthalates
- Sara Hyman and Mahua Choudhury on research gaps
- Calls for reducing plastic use
Key points from the study include:
- Data gathered from 216 studies between 2000 and 2023
- Over 2.6 million cardiovascular deaths recorded in 2018 among adults 55–64
- 13.5 percent of those deaths linked to DEHP exposure
- The highest share of deaths occurred in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific
- Leonardo Trasande and New York University findings
Leonardo Trasande and New York University findings
Leonardo Trasande and his team at New York University’s medical school in New York City investigated a potential connection between DEHP and cardiovascular disease. They analyzed global exposure data from 216 published studies spanning more than two decades. The research focused on breakdown products of DEHP, known as metabolites, which reveal how much of the chemical people carry in their bodies.
The group compared exposure levels from 2008 with cardiovascular death rates in 2018. In that year, 2.6 million deaths were recorded among people aged 55 to 64. The team calculated that 13.5 percent of these deaths were connected to DEHP. Cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, includes heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and other conditions linked to clogged arteries.
Changcheng Zhou and regional death rates
Changcheng Zhou, a biomedical scientist at the University of California, Riverside, described the results as alarming. The study revealed major regional differences. About three out of four DEHP-related deaths occurred in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific. Researchers suggest this could be linked to rapid industrial growth and expanding plastics production in those regions.
National monitoring programs vary widely. In the United States, Canada and parts of Europe, exposure levels are tracked through health surveys. However, in Latin America, Africa and Asia, data are scarce. Sara Hyman of the NYU team noted that in those areas, estimates of DEHP exposure were less precise because of the limited number of participants.
Children, pregnancy and other phthalates
Phthalates, including DEHP, can enter the body in several ways. People ingest them through food stored or heated in plastic, breathe them in from the air, or absorb them through skin contact. Once inside, these chemicals interfere with hormone function.
Previous studies have shown:
- Links between phthalates and diabetes, obesity and pregnancy complications
- A 2020 study connecting prenatal DEHP exposure to lower IQ in children
- Evidence of school-age boys exposed to DEHP showing reduced IQ levels compared to girls
- Associations between another plasticizer, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and altered childhood play preferences
These findings indicate that the risks are not limited to adults but also affect children before and after birth.
Sara Hyman and Mahua Choudhury on research gaps
Sara Hyman from NYU stressed that the team’s model did not account for the full mix of phthalates people encounter daily, nor lifestyle factors like diet or exercise. She emphasized the need for further research.
Mahua Choudhury from Texas A&M University added that different phthalates may act in combination, intensifying or reducing health impacts. She underlined the importance of studying these mixtures rather than individual chemicals.
Calls for reducing plastic use
The new results were published in the July issue of eBioMedicine. They add to the growing body of evidence that widespread plastic use has serious health consequences. Zhou expressed concern, warning that “we’re going to become the plastic planet” unless urgent steps are taken.
The findings reinforce the need for stronger global monitoring of phthalates and stricter measures to reduce plastic exposure.
Source: Science News Explores