A groundbreaking study has revealed that over 356,000 deaths could be associated with a chemical commonly found in household products.
Scientists from New York University have identified that the chemical di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), known for softening plastics, may have contributed to hundreds of thousands of cardiac-related deaths across 200 nations.
The study focused on the mortality of men and women between the ages of 55 and 64 in the year 2018, a demographic particularly vulnerable to heart disease.
DEHP, along with other phthalates, has been historically linked to various health issues, including obesity, diabetes, fertility problems, and cancer.
Recent findings suggest that DEHP could lead to arterial inflammation, thereby raising the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
The report estimates the economic impact of these deaths to be approximately $510 billion, with potential figures reaching as high as $3.74 trillion.
This study represents the inaugural global estimation of cardiovascular deaths attributable to phthalate exposure. However, it stops short of definitively proving DEHP as a direct cause of heart disease.
Sara Hyman, BS, the lead author and associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, stated: “By highlighting the connection between phthalates and a leading cause of death across the world, our findings add to the vast body of evidence that these chemicals present a tremendous danger to human health.”
DEHP is present in various household goods, food packaging, and even in some medical equipment. It is commonly found in
Household items
Food packaging
Medical supplies
Researchers analyzed urine samples to estimate DEHP exposure by measuring the level of the chemical that had metabolized in individuals’ bodies.
The findings – published on April 29 in The Lancet eBiomedicine – indicate that the regions of the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific account for nearly 75 percent of the global death toll.
India reported over 100,000 deaths, followed closely by China and Indonesia.
The study’s authors note that these regions face higher chemical exposure due to less stringent manufacturing regulations compared to Western countries, alongside a surge in plastic production.
There is now a call for urgent international regulations to restrict DEHP usage, particularly in regions with high exposure levels.
The next phase of research will aim to determine how reducing phthalate use affects global mortality rates and to explore its connections to issues such as preterm births.