A recent study led by Sara Hyman, a research scientist at NYU Langone Health, reveals a concerning link between exposure to di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) and cardiovascular disease deaths. The multidisciplinary analysis, published April 28 in eBioMedicine, shows how devastating this frequent practice can be to public health. These risks are associated with a toxic chemical in PVC plastics.
DEHP is one of the most common types of phthalates added to plastics to increase their flexibility and durability. The research team used global data to determine the connection between DEHP exposure levels and cardiovascular disease mortality rates. Their findings indicate that approximately 13.5 percent of the over 2.6 million deaths from cardiovascular disease among individuals aged 55 to 64 in 2018 may be attributed to DEHP exposure.
The authors estimated that over 350,000 heart disease deaths in 2018 were related to exposure to this chemical. Hyman and her colleagues compared estimated DEHP exposure levels from 2008 with cardiovascular mortality rates a decade later across various regions of the world. The resulting portrait provides an astonishing glimpse. Three-quarters of DEHP-related cardiovascular deaths occurred in the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific.
Changcheng Zhou, a biomedical scientist at the University of California Riverside who has studied the health implications of plastic pollution, said the findings were alarming. Unsurprisingly, he added that the fraction of cardiovascular deaths associated with DEHP exposure is “really quite alarming.” This sentiment reflects the growing recognition of the need for more research into the health effects of DEHP and other phthalates.
The study did not prove that DEHP exposure was causing heart disease. Rather, it finds a correlation that deserves deeper investigation. As Hyman pointed out, co-exposure to other phthalates and chemicals is greatly likely, which tips the analysis. “The model used was not able to take this into account,” she stated.
Mahua Choudhury, an epigeneticist at Texas A&M University, highlighted the importance of studying the combined effects of various phthalates individuals encounter regularly. “You do need to study the effect of the mixture,” she remarked, reinforcing the need for comprehensive research in understanding how these chemicals interact within the human body.
While some countries, including the United States, Canada, and numerous European nations, collect phthalate exposure data through national health surveys, many others lack centralized monitoring systems. This gap is especially acute in Latin America, Africa, and much of Asia, as Hyman emphasized.
Plastic pollution Public health policies abound, going after single-use plastic straws and bags. With a growing reliance on plastics globally, Zhou cautioned against complacency, stating, “We’re going to become the plastic planet.” This statement is emblematic of larger sentiments regarding the protection of our environment, public health, and our pursuit of sustainability.
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