New Delhi, April 29, 2025 — A new study published in Lancet eBiomedicine has revealed a worrying connection between daily exposure to certain chemicals used in plastic products, such as food containers and medical equipment, and an increase in deaths due to heart disease worldwide. The study, conducted by researchers at New York University Langone Health, highlights the role of phthalates—chemicals commonly found in plastics—as a major contributor to heart disease mortality.
Phthalates, widely used in cosmetics, detergents, solvents, plastic pipes, and even bug repellents, have long been associated with health risks including obesity, diabetes, fertility issues, and cancer. The recent study, however, focuses on a specific type of phthalate known as di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is primarily used to soften and make plastics more flexible. DEHP is commonly found in food containers and medical equipment such as IV tubes, blood bags, and dialysis machines.
The study estimates that DEHP exposure contributed to approximately 356,238 deaths worldwide from heart disease in 2018, accounting for more than 13% of global mortality from heart disease among individuals aged 55 to 64. The researchers suggest that the chemical’s exposure may trigger an overactive immune response, leading to inflammation in the arteries of the heart, which can eventually result in heart attacks or strokes.
Lead author Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the significance of these findings: “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.”
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To conduct the research, the team analyzed health and environmental data from numerous population surveys across 200 countries and territories. This data included urine samples containing chemical breakdown products left by phthalates, offering an accurate estimate of DEHP exposure. The study found that regions such as the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific suffered the most, accounting for about three-fourths of the total deaths linked to DEHP exposure. These areas are facing a surge in plastic production, often with fewer regulations in place, which may be contributing to higher exposure levels.
Leonardo Trasande, a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, called for global action: “Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in areas most affected by rapid industrialisation and plastic consumption.”
The study concludes that the actual number of deaths caused by heart disease linked to phthalate exposure is likely much higher, suggesting the need for stricter regulations on plastic production and the use of phthalates in consumer products worldwide.
