New research published in the journal eBioMedicine has shown that exposure to certain chemicals used to make plastic items have been linked to an increased risk of death from heart disease worldwide.
The study used cardiovascular mortality data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and chemical exposure estimates collected regionally from several sources. The specific chemical additive focused on in this study was di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), a chemical additive used in manufacturing various plastic items. Phthalates have been previously linked to increased risks of metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, and recent evidence has suggested that DEHP in particular may be linked to cardiovascular disease. By comparing cardiovascular mortality rates to rates of exposure to DEHP in various regions, this study aimed to examine the potential association between DEHP exposure and death due to cardiovascular disease.
The results showed that in 2018, approximately 356,238 deaths around the world occurred due to DEHP exposure. These deaths represented about 13.5% of all cardiovascular deaths among people ages 55 to 64 years old. Certain regions had higher rates of cardiovascular deaths due to DEHP exposure, including South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and the Pacific.
The authors stated that this study adds to a vast body of evidence linking phthalates to cardiovascular disease and other health issues around the world. Certain regions, such as India and the Middle East, may have seen larger problems due to a boom in plastic production and a lack of manufacturing restrictions. The results of this study highlight the urgent need to establish better regulations and to lower exposure rates to phthalates in these regions. Additionally, the results highlight the potential global benefits of reducing plastic consumption. Future research will focus on other health risks caused by chemical exposure, including preterm births.
Sources: eBioMedicine, Science Daily
