Exposure to Common Chemical in Plastics Tied to Heart Disease Deaths

Daily exposure to phthalates from plastics can be reduced through simple personal choices.

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Daily exposure to a type of phthalate—chemicals commonly used in polyvinyl chloride products like piping, medical tubes and bags, and cling films—may be linked to more than 13 percent of deaths from heart disease globally in 2018, according to a new study.

The research specifically implicates di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a type of forever chemical used to make plastics more flexible, as a significant public health threat, was attributed to more than 350,000 heart disease deaths among people aged 55 to 64 worldwide.

Although the study authors note in a statement that their findings suggest these chemicals may be harmful to human health, they caution that the results do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

“The fact that phthalates are so pervasive and can affect multiple organ systems makes them a serious public health concern,” Janetta Bryksin, director of clinical chemistry and toxicology at Emory University School of Medicine, said in an interview with The Epoch Times.

Hidden Killer

The study, conducted by NYU Langone researchers and recently published in Lancet eBiomedicine, used health and environmental data from various population surveys worldwide to assess DEHP exposure across 200 countries. These data were then linked to global mortality trends.

Developing regions bore the heaviest burden of deaths linked to DEHP exposures. South Asia and the Middle East together accounted for about 42 percent of DEHP-linked heart disease deaths, while East Asia and the Pacific contributed nearly 32 percent.

Together, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific experienced a disproportionately high share of these deaths—about three-fourths of the total.

People with the highest levels of phthalates had a greater risk of death from any cause, especially cardiovascular mortality, the study found.

The authors noted that these regions likely face greater exposure to phthalates because of rising plastic production and less stringent manufacturing regulations.

DEHP exposure is linked to increased inflammation in the heart’s arteries, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes over time, the researchers said.

Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of population health at NYU Langone Health and senior study author, emphasized the urgent need for regulations to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals, particularly in areas experiencing rapid industrial growth.

“Countries with rapid industrial growth and fewer safety regulations—like India, China, and Indonesia, shoulder the greatest burden of phthalate-related heart disease,” Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified osteopathic physician specializing in family medicine, told The Epoch Times. “That should be a call to action. Whether you live in a major city or a rural town, you have the right to clean food, safe products, and a toxin-free environment.”

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate how reducing phthalate exposure might influence mortality rates over time and to examine other health issues linked to these chemicals, including preterm birth.

The researchers estimated the economic implications of deaths linked to DEHP exposure to be as high as $3.74 trillion. A previous study from the same team found that phthalates were responsible for more than 90,000 premature deaths each year in the United States, many linked to heart disease.

Health Risks Beyond Cardiovascular Disease

Phthalates, classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, carry broad health effects because they interfere with the body’s hormonal systems, Bryksin said.

In children, phthalates have been associated with developmental and behavioral issues, including reduced cognitive function and attention disorders, she stated. In adults, they’ve been linked to reproductive problems, such as lower sperm quality and disrupted menstrual cycles, as well as increased risks for obesity, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, and hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

Mercola said that one of the most alarming effects involves children’s brain development.

“If you’re pregnant, exposure to phthalates may harm your child’s cognitive abilities before birth,” he said. “The damage appears to be especially pronounced when exposure occurs during key developmental windows like the second trimester.”

“There is also concern about their role in thyroid disruption and early puberty,” Bryksin said.

She said there are meaningful ways to reduce phthalate exposure, but noted that the responsibility currently falls more on individuals than on regulatory systems.

To reduce personal exposure, Bryksin recommended the following steps:

• Limit use of plastic products, especially those labeled with recycling code no. 3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• Opt for glass, stainless steel, or phthalate-free alternatives for food storage and children’s toys.
• Choose personal care products labeled “phthalate-free,” and avoid those with generic “fragrance” listed as an ingredient.
• Reduce consumption of processed and packaged foods in favor of fresh, whole foods.
• Clean areas where phthalates can accumulate frequently, and to minimize household dust.

Bryskin said that “ultimately, reducing population-wide exposure will depend on policy changes that restrict phthalate use and mandate clearer labeling, efforts that are still catching up with the science.”