Exposure to phthalates in plastics linked to 3.5 lakh heart disease deaths in 2018

A study published in the journal eBioMedicine has linked daily phthalate exposure to over 3.5 lakh (356,238) deaths due to heart disease globally in 2018, among people aged 55–64.

• Phthalates are chemical compounds used to make plastics more durable, flexible, and soft; they are commonly found in household plastic items, food containers, and cosmetics.

• The study focused on di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a specific type of phthalate used in many plastic products.

• In 2018, DEHP exposure was responsible for approximately 13.497% of all cardiovascular deaths globally in the 55–64 age group.

• India had the highest number of deaths (103,587), followed by China and Indonesia.

• Around 75% of these deaths occurred in South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and the Pacific.

• Despite global usage, these regions bore the heaviest burden of DEHP-related cardiovascular mortality.

• Phthalates can break down into microscopic particles, entering the human body and increasing the risk of:
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Obesity
  • Fertility issues
  • Cancer

• According to the USFDA, phthalates are used in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products, including perfumes, where they serve as solvents and stabilizers.

• Phthalates are colorless, odorless, oily liquids that:
  • Do not evaporate easily
  • Do not permanently bind to the plastic surfaces they are applied to