Common Plastic Chemical DEHP Linked to Global Heart Disease Deaths

Exposure to the common plastic chemical DEHP may be linked to over 365,000 global heart disease deaths annually, particularly affecting regions like Africa and South Asia. This analysis highlights the urgent public health threat posed by widespread phthalate use in everyday items found worldwide.

Key Takeaways

Daily exposure to the phthalate DEHP was linked to over 365,000 global heart disease deaths in 2018 among adults aged 55-64.
This figure represents more than 10% of all global mortality from heart disease within that specific age group for that year.
Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East collectively accounted for approximately half of the estimated DEHP-linked heart disease deaths.
India faced the highest death toll at nearly 40,000, followed by Pakistan and Egypt, indicating significant regional disparities.
The potential mechanism involves DEHP prompting inflammation in heart arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke over time.
The estimated economic burden associated with these deaths ranges from $510 billion up to a potential $3.74 trillion.
Researchers stress the need for global regulations to reduce exposure, especially in rapidly industrializing regions with high plastic consumption.

The Global Toll of DEHP Exposure

A significant number of global deaths from heart disease in 2018 among those aged 55-64 are potentially linked to exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a chemical widely used in plastics, according to new analysis by NYU Langone Health researchers. The study estimates that exposure contributed to 368,764 deaths worldwide in this age group alone.
This staggering number accounts for over 10% of the total global heart disease mortality for individuals aged 55 through 64 in 2018, underscoring the chemical's potential impact as a major public health concern.
The economic consequences are equally alarming, with the study estimating a burden of around $510 billion, potentially reaching as high as $3.74 trillion, stemming from these DEHP-associated deaths.
This research builds upon previous findings, including a 2021 study by the same team that linked phthalates to over 50,000 premature deaths annually among older Americans, primarily from heart disease. The current analysis is noted as the first global estimate of cardiovascular mortality tied to DEHP exposure.

Understanding Phthalates and DEHP Risks

Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly used to make plastics more durable or flexible. They are found in a vast array of consumer and industrial products, including cosmetics, detergents, food containers, plastic pipes, medical equipment, and even bug repellents.
The specific phthalate focused on in this study, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is primarily used to soften plastics, making items like food packaging and medical devices more pliable. Humans are exposed when these chemicals break down and are ingested or absorbed.
Previous scientific studies have established links between exposure to certain phthalates, including DEHP, and various adverse health outcomes. These include metabolic issues like obesity and diabetes, reproductive problems such as fertility issues, and even certain types of cancer.
The connection to heart disease specifically is thought to stem from DEHP's potential to trigger an overactive immune response, leading to chronic inflammation within the heart's arteries. This inflammation is a known risk factor associated with the development of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes over time.

Disparities in Global Impact

While DEHP exposure is a global issue, the study revealed significant geographical disparities in the associated heart disease mortality burden. Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East experienced a disproportionately large share of the deaths.
These regions combined accounted for roughly half of the total estimated global deaths linked to DEHP in the 55-64 age group. Notably, Africa alone represented 30% of the mortality, while the combined region of East Asia and the Middle East accounted for 25%.
Specific countries bore the heaviest burden, with India recording the highest number of estimated deaths at 39,677, followed closely by Pakistan and Egypt. These disparities remained even after researchers adjusted for population size within the studied age group.
Researchers suggest a possible explanation lies in potentially higher exposure rates in these nations. This could be driven by a boom in local plastic production coupled with less stringent manufacturing regulations and environmental controls compared to other parts of the world.

Methodology, Limitations, and Future Directions

To arrive at their estimates, the research team utilized health and environmental data collated from numerous population surveys spanning 200 countries and territories. This included analyzing urine samples for the presence of chemical breakdown products indicative of DEHP exposure.
Global mortality data was sourced from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), a reputable US-based research group that tracks worldwide public health trends. This allowed the researchers to correlate estimated exposure levels with heart disease death rates.
The authors caution that their analysis demonstrates an association and cannot definitively prove that DEHP exposure directly caused the observed heart disease deaths. Other contributing factors may be involved.
Furthermore, the study focused solely on DEHP and the 55-64 age group. It did not account for other types of phthalates or mortality in younger or older populations, suggesting the true overall death toll linked to these chemicals is likely considerably higher.
Future research planned by the team includes investigating how reductions in phthalate exposure might impact global mortality rates over time and expanding the scope to examine links between these chemicals and other health issues, such as preterm birth.

Widespread exposure to the plastic chemical DEHP poses a significant global cardiovascular health risk, demanding immediate attention. Reducing phthalate use through stronger global regulations is crucial to mitigate this preventable public health crisis.