The alarming statistic that cosmetic and household chemical exposure is linked to approximately 350,000 annual deaths underscores a pressing public health concern. Recent studies have identified phthalates, commonly found in plastics and personal care products, as significant contributors to cardiovascular mortality. Specifically, a study indicated that these ubiquitous chemicals account for over 10% of global heart disease deaths among individuals aged 55-64 . This correlation emphasizes the critical need for further research and regulatory scrutiny regarding the safety of these substances.
“Phthalates contribute to inflammation and systemic inflammation in the coronary arteries, which can accelerate existing disease and lead to acute events including mortality,” said senior author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and population health at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. He also is director of NYU Langone’s Division of Environmental Pediatrics and Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards.
They suggested that 356,000 people may have died from phthalate-related heart disease in 2018 alone.
Their study focused on a kind of phthalate called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is used to make food containers, medical equipment, and other plastic items softer and more flexible.
"The past decade has presented a new and previously unrecognised risk for cardiovascular disease: exposure to plastic polymers and their chemical additives," they wrote in the journal eBiomedicine.
The new study drew on surveys from around the globe that evaluated exposure to food pack, one particular type of phthalate, through urine samples. Researchers then matched exposure to the chemical to increased risk of cardiovascular death.
Trasande says that the researchers next plan to track how reductions in phthalate exposure may, over time, affect global mortality rates, as well as to expand the study to other health concerns posed by the chemicals, such as preterm birth. Trasande also serves as director of NYU Grossman School of Medicine's Division of Environmental Pediatrics and the Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards.
Furthermore, another study posits that exposure to phthalates is responsible for around 100,000 annual deaths in the United States alone . Although this figure falls short of the alarming estimate of 350,000 deaths mentioned in broader discussions about chemical exposures, it still highlights an urgent issue within public health discourse. The economic implications are equally concerning; estimated societal costs range between $40-47 billion annually due to health complications associated with these chemicals .
Given the substantial evidence linking phthalates and other synthetic chemicals to serious health risks such as heart disease and reduced testosterone levels in men , there is a compelling case for increased awareness among consumers regarding product safety. As consumers become more informed about potential hazards associated with everyday products, there may be greater demand for safer alternatives. This shift could ultimately drive policy changes aimed at reducing exposure to hazardous substances in cosmetics and household items.
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