Camilla Jessen
Experts call for urgent global regulations on dangerous plastic additive.
A new global study has found that a chemical used in many everyday products might be connected to more than 356,000 heart-related deaths in just one year.
The chemical is called DEHP (short for di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate).
It is used to make plastic softer and more flexible.
Researchers from New York University looked at data from 2018 and focused on people aged 55 to 64, a group at high risk for heart problems.
They believe DEHP may raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes by causing inflammation in the arteries.
What the study found
The study, published in The Lancet eBiomedicine on April 29, was the first to look at how many people around the world may have died from heart problems linked to this chemical.
While the study doesn’t prove DEHP directly causes heart disease, it shows there may be a strong connection.
Lead author Sara Hyman, a scientist at NYU, said, “Our findings add to the growing evidence that these chemicals are a serious danger to human health.”
Where is DEHP found?
DEHP is used in many plastic products, including:
- Cleaning products
- Vinyl flooring
- Shower curtains
- Garden hoses
- Food packaging and plastic containers
- Medical items like IV bags, tubing, and catheters
- Some toys (although DEHP is banned in toys in the U.S.)
Highest number of deaths in Asia and the Middle East
The study found that countries in South Asia, East Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East had the most deaths linked to DEHP. India alone had more than 100,000.
China and Indonesia also had high numbers.
Researchers say this is likely because these countries have fewer safety rules and are making more plastic products.
The study also estimated that these deaths could cost the global economy more than $500 billion per year — and possibly up to $3.7 trillion.
The researchers are now calling for stronger global rules to limit the use of DEHP, especially in countries with high levels of exposure.
They also plan to study how cutting back on these chemicals could save lives and prevent other health problems, like early births.t could be as much as $3.74 trillion, the study warns.
Source: Unilad
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation
