Pharm'Up 
A comprehensive study by NYU Langone Health revealed a significant link between daily exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a common plastic additive, and 356,238 heart disease deaths globally in 2018—over 13% of cardiac deaths among adults aged 55-64. This marks the first global estimate of cardiovascular mortality tied to a single phthalate. About 75% of these deaths occurred in South Asia, the Middle East, East Asia, and the Pacific, with India reporting the highest toll at 103,587 deaths, followed by China and Indonesia, likely due to rapid industrial growth and lax plastic regulations.
The study analyzed DEHP exposure data from urine biomonitoring across nearly 200 countries, combined with age-specific mortality data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Previous research supports a biological link, showing DEHP triggers coronary artery inflammation, potentially leading to heart attacks and strokes. Lead author Sara Hyman, BS, underscored the urgency, stating, “These chemicals present a tremendous danger to human health.” Senior author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, highlighted global inequities and called for urgent regulations, especially in industrializing regions.
While the study doesn’t prove causation or cover other phthalates or age groups, suggesting a potentially higher impact, it was published in Lancet eBioMedicine. The NYU team plans to investigate if reducing DEHP exposure lowers mortality and assess impacts on preterm birth and endocrine systems. DEHP, found in food containers, medical tubing, cosmetics, and more, leaches into air, dust, and bodies, making exposure widespread. This landmark research urges stronger plastic regulations and public awareness to address the hidden cardiovascular toll of phthalates.
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