A new global study reveals that exposure to a chemical used in many plastic products may have caused more than 356,000 deaths from heart disease in 2018.
The chemical, called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), makes plastics softer and is found in items like food containers and medical devices.
Researchers from NYU Langone Health analyzed data from 200 countries and found that DEHP exposure can cause inflammation in the heart’s arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
They estimate that DEHP contributed to over 13% of heart disease deaths among people aged 55 to 64 worldwide in 2018.
The highest death rates were seen in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific, with India, China, and Indonesia most affected. These regions may have more exposure due to rapid plastic production and weaker safety rules.
The study’s lead author, Sara Hyman, said the findings show how dangerous phthalates are to human health. The economic cost of these deaths could be as high as $3.74 trillion globally.
While the study does not prove DEHP alone causes heart disease, it highlights the urgent need for stronger global rules to limit exposure to these harmful chemicals, especially in fast-growing industrial areas.
The researchers plan to study how reducing phthalate exposure might lower heart disease deaths and explore other health problems linked to these chemicals.
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