Phthalates in ⁤Plastics Linked to Hundreds of Thousands of‍ Deaths,Study Finds

May 17,2025

Chemicals found‍ in common ​plastic products, including⁤ food packaging and shampoos, are associated with a​ significant number of deaths from heart ​disease, according to research‍ published in the journal eBioMedicine.

The study links phthalates, chemicals used​ to⁣ make plastics more flexible, to more⁢ than 350,000 deaths globally in 2018.Researchers indicated that approximately 75% of these deaths occurred in⁤ Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific region, raising concerns about the increasing use of plastics in developing nations.

Health Risks of Chemicals in Plastics

“We tend​ to think​ of plastic as a problem for high-income countries,” said Leonardo Trasande, ⁣a professor at ‍new York University Grossman School of ⁤Medicine and one of the study’s authors. “But the geographical ‌pattern we’re seeing is alarming.” While the researchers acknowledge that the impact of phthalates may be compounded by other risk factors like obesity‌ and metabolic disorders, the findings add to ⁢growing evidence suggesting a link between chemicals⁤ in plastics and ⁢serious health risks.

Phthalates are added to plastics to enhance their flexibility and are also used ⁢in lotions, shampoos, and perfumes to bind fragrances. These chemicals are so​ prevalent that some scientists​ describe them as “everywhere,” leading to widespread ⁤concerns.

Epidemiological studies have linked phthalates to male fertility issues, heart disease, obesity, and ​attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The United ⁣States currently permits the use ​of nine types of phthalates ⁣in food packaging. Phthalates are considered endocrine⁣ disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the body’s hormones and possibly cause various health problems.

Call for Action on Phthalates in Food Packaging

“We already⁢ know that phthalates are toxic chemicals,” said Tracey Woodruff, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and ⁣reproductive⁢ health at the University of California, San ⁢Francisco, who was not involved in the study. ‍Woodruff noted ⁢that ⁤scientists and environmental organizations have been urging lawmakers to ban phthalates from ⁢food packaging and other plastics for years. “This study only reinforces why that’s an excellent idea,” she ⁢added.

Kevin Ott, managing​ director of the⁢ Flexible Vinyl Alliance, representing polyvinyl chloride manufacturers,⁤ stated in an email that many studies on the health risks of phthalates do not meet the highest standards of evidence. Ott⁤ added that the Food ‍and Drug Management (FDA) confirmed in 2018⁢ that a ​clear‍ association between phthalates and health effects has not been established.

The recent study‍ analyzed global survey data to assess the impact of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), ​a specific type of phthalate, based‍ on urine samples. Researchers then correlated the chemical’s presence with an increased risk of cardiovascular deaths.The findings suggest‍ that phthalates contributed to 13% of all deaths from heart disease among individuals aged 55 to 64, with approximately 10% of ⁢such deaths occurring in‌ the United States. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide,accounting​ for an estimated 20 million deaths in 2021.

Inflammation and ⁢Other Contributing Factors

Trasande suggests that⁣ the 13%​ figure may ⁣be significant because the stress caused by phthalates can overlap with and exacerbate other risk ‌factors. Phthalates are believed to⁢ cause excessive inflammation in the body and are associated with conditions⁤ that increase mortality from heart⁣ disease, such as ⁢obesity and high blood pressure.

The increased risk of heart disease related to obesity‌ may,in part,be attributed to phthalates. These ⁢chemicals⁣ are also more commonly found ‍in heavily ‍processed ‌foods, another risk factor for heart disease-related deaths. Air ‍pollution, which can contain tiny plastic particles, is estimated to be associated with 20%​ of all cardiovascular deaths globally.

Recent research, though based on a small sample size, has⁤ also indicated that the ⁣presence of microplastics or​ nanoplastics in the ‍carotid ⁢artery increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. Researchers are working to understand the extent to which these tiny plastic particles can carry‌ chemicals like phthalates. Trasande noted that individuals with higher levels of phthalates in their bodies likely have more plastic,including microplastics and nanoplastics.”It ‍might very well be the​ chemicals that are transported, or‍ it could be the micro and nanoplastic particles themselves,” Trasande said. “And that is really the direction in which the research area needs to develop scientifically.”

Prior research on Phthalate-Related Deaths

Previous studies ⁢on‍ deaths caused by phthalates have yielded similar results. ‍A study published late last year estimated that phthalates were responsible for approximately 164,000 deaths worldwide in 2015, primarily due to heart disease⁢ and ‍high blood pressure.⁤ However, that study examined only 40 countries, while the current study encompassed around 190 countries.

While animal studies have also shown links between phthalates and ⁢heart disease, some researchers believe that more human studies are needed to strengthen the connection. “It ⁢would be⁢ significant for someone to conduct a systematic​ review of phthalates and cardiovascular events,” Woodruff said. “But it’s still a relatively new area.”

In ⁣the meantime, scientists continue to advocate for increased monitoring of⁤ chemicals in plastics. in most countries, companies are not required to ‍disclose chemical⁢ additives in plastics, including phthalates,⁢ bisphenol A (BPA), and flame retardants. many ​of these plastics ​end up as plastic waste in countries with lower incomes, either ⁤for recycling or disposal.”They are the recipients of all the plastic waste,” Woodruff said. “And⁣ the phthalates will be there ⁣as well.”