NEW STUDY LINKS GLOBAL DEATHS LINKED TO CHEMICAL FOUND IN COMMON PLASTICS
NEW STUDY LINKS GLOBAL DEATHS LINKED TO CHEMICAL FOUND IN COMMON PLASTICS
NEW YORK, April 30, 2025 - A synthetic chemical widely used in everyday consumer products may be responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide, according to groundbreaking research published this week in the journal eBiomedicine.
Study Reveals Significant Mortality Link
Researchers have discovered that phthalates, particularly Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), may have contributed to more than 10% of all global mortality from heart disease in 2018 among adults aged 55-64.
The comprehensive analysis found exposure to DEHP contributed to an estimated 368,764 deaths globally in 2018 within this age group. This represents the first global estimate of health outcomes specifically linked to DEHP exposure, according to lead study author Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Geographic Distribution of Impact
The study revealed striking regional variations in mortality linked to this chemical:
- Africa accounted for 30% of DEHP-related heart disease deaths
- East Asia and the Middle East each represented 25% of the mortality
- Remaining deaths were distributed across other regions
"Phthalates contribute to inflammation and systemic inflammation in the coronary arteries, which can accelerate existing disease and lead to acute events including mortality," explained senior author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, professor of pediatrics and population health at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine and director of NYU Langone's Division of Environmental Pediatrics and Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards.
Mechanism of Harm
The research identifies several biological mechanisms through which DEHP may increase cardiovascular risk:
- Promotion of systemic inflammation
- Disruption of testosterone production
- Acceleration of existing cardiovascular disease
"Phthalates are known to disrupt testosterone," Dr. Trasande noted, adding that in men, "low testosterone is a predictor of adult cardiovascular disease."
Widespread Chemical Exposure
Often called "everywhere chemicals" due to their ubiquity, phthalates are added to numerous consumer products to enhance flexibility and durability. Common sources of DEHP exposure include:
- Food storage containers
- Shampoo and personal care products
- Makeup and perfume
- Children's toys
- PVC plumbing pipes
- Vinyl flooring
- Rain- and stain-resistant products
- Medical tubing
- Garden hoses
Previous research has linked phthalates with reproductive problems, including genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys, and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males. Studies have also associated these chemicals with asthma, childhood obesity, and cancer.
Research Methodology
The study examined the impact of DEHP across 200 countries and territories by analyzing health and environmental data from dozens of population surveys. These included urine samples containing chemical breakdown products left by DEHP, which has been previously connected to cardiovascular disease.
Researchers compared exposure data with death statistics collected by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a U.S. research group that gathers global medical information.
Expert Reactions
"The new study underscores the potentially enormous health and economic burden of DEHP exposure, which aligns with existing concerns about its risks," said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, a consumer organization that monitors exposure to phthalates and other chemicals in plastics.
The American Chemistry Council, which represents industry, declined to comment on the study but stated that the organization's High Phthalates Panel is dedicated to promoting the benefits of high phthalates such as DINP and DIDP.
Regulatory Context
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate has been linked to birth defects, cancer, and reproductive harm for men, according to California's Proposition 65, a law that requires companies to place warning labels on products notifying consumers about chemicals' possible health effects.
However, comprehensive regulation of phthalates varies significantly across countries and remains inconsistent at the global level.
The study authors suggest their findings should prompt reconsideration of regulatory policies regarding these chemicals and greater consumer awareness about potential exposure sources.
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