Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, recently led a study on this topic. This study revealed a new association between phthalates and cardiovascular mortality internationally. Health studies have demonstrated that high exposures to these chemicals, which have become ubiquitous in everyday plastic products, can accelerate dangerous health outcomes. In reality, this exposure likely causes up to 350,000 deaths from heart disease annually.
Phthalates are a group of widely-used industrial chemicals that increase the softness and flexibility of plastics. They are reproductive toxicants found in many consumer products, from food packaging to toys to medical devices. In 2021, a study published in The Lancet looked at phthalate exposure and heart disease mortality on a global scale. Its results made a clear connection between the two.
Per their results, the composite number of deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease comes to a total of 356,238. The research illustrates an important link between phthalate exposure and mortality from heart disease. That’s not the same as proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Those with the most phthalates in their systems were at an increased risk for serious heart complications. This is a troubling finding and deserves more scrutiny.
New studies have shown that exposure to phthalates is associated with a range of health problems. Under controlled laboratory conditions, animal studies have found that prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with the development of phthalate syndrome. As a result, this condition can negatively impact male testosterone and fertility.
Hyman underscored the significance of the study’s findings in a New York Press Release sent out shortly after the study was posted to NYU Langone’s website.
“By highlighting the connection between phthalates and a leading cause of death across the world, our findings add to the vast body of evidence that these chemicals present a tremendous danger to human health,” – Sara Hyman
The implications of this research are huge and alarming given the prevalent use of phthalates in consumer products. As regulatory bodies continue to assess the safety of chemicals in plastics, the results of this study could influence future policies aimed at reducing exposure to harmful substances.
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