A new study has raised health concerns about a common chemical used in plastic products, linking it to more than 356,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide in 2018.
The study, conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health and published in The Lancet eBiomedicine, found that di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a widely used plasticiser, may be significantly contributing to heart-related fatalities, particularly among middle-aged adults.
DEHP is a type of phthalate (a class of chemicals used to make plastics softer and more flexible) commonly found in food packaging, medical devices, containers, and a range of consumer products. The researchers focused on adults aged 55 to 64, estimating that DEHP exposure contributed to approximately 356,238 deaths globally within this age group in 2018.
The figure represents over 13 per cent of all global deaths from heart disease in that demographic for the year. The study adds to longstanding concerns among scientists about the health risks posed by phthalates, which have previously been associated with obesity, diabetes, reproductive problems, and certain cancers.
DEHP, in particular, has been shown to trigger inflammatory responses in the arteries; an immune reaction that, over time, increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Lead author of the study, Sara Hyman, explained that the findings reinforce a growing body of evidence linking plastic-related chemicals to major chronic diseases. She noted that the study sheds new light on the global health burden of phthalates, especially by highlighting their contribution to one of the world’s leading causes of death.
To carry out the research, the team analysed health and environmental data from dozens of large-scale population surveys across 200 countries and territories.
These included urine samples that revealed traces of DEHP breakdown products, alongside mortality statistics provided by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
The study found that the burden of DEHP-related cardiovascular deaths was not equally distributed. The regions of East Asia and the Middle East accounted for approximately 42 per cent of the total global deaths linked to the chemical, while East Asia and the Pacific made up another 32 per cent. India alone recorded an estimated 103,587 deaths attributable to DEHP, followed by China and Indonesia.
According to the researchers, these disparities may reflect higher exposure levels in countries experiencing rapid industrialisation and growing plastic consumption, often in the absence of strong environmental safeguards.
Senior author and professor of paediatrics Leonardo Trasande explained that the findings underscore an urgent need for coordinated international efforts to reduce exposure to harmful plastic chemicals.
He pointed out that, while the study focused specifically on DEHP and one age group, the overall death toll from phthalate exposure is likely far greater when accounting for all age categories and additional health effects.
The economic consequences of DEHP-related deaths were also substantial. The authors estimated a global cost of approximately $510 billion in 2018, with a possible upper range of $3.74 trillion when factoring in lost productivity and health expenditures. They emphasised that this toll is expected to grow if chemical use remains unchecked.
The research team said their next steps will include tracking how reductions in phthalate exposure over time may affect health outcomes globally. They also plan to investigate other risks posed by phthalates, including their potential links to preterm birth and developmental problems.
Trasande, added, “While the current findings are not intended to suggest that DEHP alone is the sole cause of heart disease, they do reveal a clear and significant association that warrants immediate public health attention.”
