Recent research has been sounding the alarm on the health hazards of microplastics—from the shocking finding that there's a spoonful of them in our brains to the danger of heating takeout containers in the microwave. And now, a new study published on April 29 has identified a potential link between a widely used chemical in household products and a significant number of heart disease deaths globally.
Here's what the scientists found and which common items in your home contain the offending plastic chemicals that researchers are calling a "tremendous danger to human health."
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A Plastic Chemical Has Been Linked to Heart Disease Deaths
A new study, published in the journal eBioMedicine and conducted by researchers from NYU Langone Health, found that exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a chemical commonly used to make plastics more flexible, may be associated with heart disease-related deaths worldwide.
DEHP is prevalent in many common items that we use every day in our homes, including food containers, medical devices, toys, shampoos, lotions, cosmetic packaging, and more.
Scientists believe that exposure may lead to inflammation in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The researchers explain: "New evidence has emerged that plastic polymers and their chemical additives, particularly di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Phthalates are commonly used in the production of plastic materials and have been linked to increased oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease."
While previous research has shown the impacts of these chemicals within the U.S. population, this new study aimed to look at its impact worldwide—especially regarding CVD-related deaths.
To do so, scientists analyzed cardiovascular mortality data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and regional DEHP exposure estimates from over 200 regions worldwide.
What they found was shocking:
- "In 2018, an estimated 356,238 deaths globally were attributed to DEHP exposure, representing 13.497% of all cardiovascular deaths among individuals aged 55–64. Of these, 349,113 were attributed to the use of plastics," the authors concluded.
- South Asia and the Middle East had the greatest percentage of cardiovascular deaths attributable to DEHP exposure at 16%
- The Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific had the largest percentage of DEHP-attributable CVD deaths at 73%
The study authors concluded that areas with rapidly growing plastic industries had the highest number of CVD-related deaths linked to DEHP exposure. For example, India alone had 103,587 deaths.
While the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights a significant public health concern regarding the widespread use of plastic chemicals in everyday items.
Why These Chemicals Pose a "Tremendous Danger"
"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," lead study author, Sara Hyman, BS, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said in a press release.
Senior author Dr. Trasande, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, professor of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, added: "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."
That said, Hyman and Trasande admitted in their study that it was not without limitations and further research is needed to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between DEHP exposure and heart disease deaths.
For instance, the study had to rely on regional estimates instead of specific country data, which can lead to less accurate results. Plus, different data sources, years, and methods were used, making it harder to get exact numbers for deaths linked to chemicals in plastics like DEHP.
Finally, since the study only looked at a few plastic chemicals and not things like bisphenols or microplastics, it may actually underestimate how dangerous plastic exposure really is for heart health.
"While this global disease burden model cannot make claims about causality, and policymakers may choose to dismiss the larger body of evidence documenting negative health effects of phthalates, this model provides feasible estimates of those risks to CV mortality," the study authors concluded.
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What You Can Do to Limit Your Exposure
For now, it's clear that the less plastic you can come into contact with on a daily basis, the better.
Experts recommend reducing your exposure to DEHP and other potentially harmful chemicals by avoiding plastic containers, especially for food storage and drinking water. Instead, use glass, paper, or stainless steel options.
When preparing food, avoid non-stick pans and heating food in plastic containers. And since tap water can contain microplastics, use a high-quality home water filter certified to reduce or remove microplastics.
When buying everyday household items such as baby products, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, etc., look for labels that clearly state they are BPA- and phthalate-free, or for body washes and facial scrubs, polyethylene- or polypropylene-free.
Switch to bar soaps, refill stations, and brands that use glass, aluminum, wood, or cloth to make or package their products.
Finally, ditch single-use plastics like bags, straws, and utensils when you're out and about. Opt for reusable options wherever possible.
