Anna Hartz
Study Connects DEHP in Plastics to Heart Disease Deaths
Plastic is everywhere — in packaging, electronics, even medical equipment. But some of the chemicals used to make it are raising serious health concerns.
One of them, called DEHP, might be much more dangerous than we thought. A new study points to a possible connection between this plastic chemical and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide, reports Videnskab.
DEHP Linked to Serious Health Issues
Researchers looked at how DEHP could be tied to deaths from heart disease. They focused on people between 55 and 64 years old.
Their findings suggest that around 13 percent of heart disease-related deaths in this age group could be linked to DEHP exposure. That amounts to more than 356,000 deaths in 2018 alone.
DEHP is part of a group of chemicals called phthalates. These are used to make plastic softer and more flexible.
You can find them in food packaging and medical tubing, among other things. DEHP has also been linked to other serious health issues like diabetes, breast cancer, and fertility problems.
Need of Global Rules
Researchers used urine samples from people in more than 200 countries to measure how much DEHP they had in their bodies.
They then compared this to global heart disease death statistics. Countries like India, China, and Indonesia had the highest death numbers.
The researchers believe this could be because of higher exposure to plastics and fewer safety rules in those areas.
Experts stress that DEHP probably isn’t the only factor behind the deaths. The study didn’t include other chemicals or age groups. That means the real numbers might be even higher.
In Norway, biologist Martin Wagner called the study’s results alarming. He has found over 4,000 harmful chemicals in plastics.
He says DEHP should be removed from plastic completely. Although Europe has reduced the use of DEHP in recent years, other regions may still face serious risks.
Wagner believes stronger global rules are needed. He hopes upcoming talks on a global plastics agreement will lead to real change.
