Los phthalates They are chemical compounds found in numerous articles for daily use worldwide, since they are used in the manufacture of domestic plastic products. Decades ago, experts have associated various health problems for exposure to certain phthalates that are used in cosmetics, detergents, solvents, plastic pipes, insect repellent and other products.
These compounds are degraded into microscopic particles that are ingested by the body, and their presence has been related to a greater risk of obesity, diabetes, fertility problems and certain types of cancer. Now, new research based on population surveys has found that daily exposure to certain chemicals used in the manufacture of domestic plastic products could be linked to More than 356,000 deaths from heart disease registered in 2018 worldwide.
The research has been led by scientists from Nyu Langone Health and has focused on a specific type of phthalate, the the-2-ethilhexyl phtholato (DEHP)which is used to make more flexible and resistant food containers, medical equipment and other plastic items. Previous studies had already shown that exposure to DEHP can trigger an excessive inflammatory response in heart arteries, increasing the risk of infarcts and strokes In the long term.
According to the new data, exposure to this compound would have contributed to 356,238 deaths, which is more than 13% of global mortality due to heart disease between 55 and 64 years During 2018. Although these compounds are widely present globally, regions such as the Middle East, South Asia, Oriental Asia and the Pacific endured about three quarters of the total related deaths.
“Highlighting the connection between phthalates and one of the main causes of death worldwide, our findings add to the vast set of evidence that these chemicals represent tremendous danger to human health,” said Sara Hyman, the main author of the study and scientific associated at the Grossman Medicine of Nyu, in a note published by the center.
Strict global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxic
In an earlier investigation that was published in 2021 the team had already associated phthalates with more than 50,000 premature deaths annual, mainly due to heart disease, among American older adults. According to the authors, this new research represents the first global estimate on cardiovascular mortality – and of any other health condition – linked to exposure to these chemicals. Its results have been published in the magazine Lancet eBioMedicine.
The researchers analyzed health and environment data of dozens of population surveys in more than 200 countries and territories, including urine samples containing DEHP decomposition products. Mortality information was obtained from the Institute of Metricians and Health Evaluation (IHME), an American body that collects medical data worldwide.
“Our findings join the vast set of evidence that these chemicals represent tremendous danger to human health”
Among the most relevant findings, it was discovered that the regions of Oriental and the Middle East, as well as East Asia and the Pacific, concentrated respectively around 42% and 32% of deaths from heart disease related to exposure to DEHP. India headed the list of countries with more deaths (103,587), followed by China and Indonesia. These figures were maintained even after adjusting the statistical analysis to the population size in the age groups studied. Researchers suggest that a possible explanation is the greatest exposure to phthalates in these countries, where plastics production has experienced accelerated growth with fewer regulations than in other regions.
“There is an obvious disparity in the areas of the world that support the greatest load of heart risks derived from phthalates,” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, lead author of the study. “Our results underline the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in the areas most affected by rapid industrialization and plastic consumption.”
The researcher has clarified that the study was not designed to demonstrate that the DEHP is the only one or the direct cause of heart disease, nor considered exposure to other types of phthalates or other age strips, so the real impact could be even greater.
Among the next objectives of researchers is to study how a decrease in exposure to phthalates could have an impact on long -term global mortality rates and expand their analysis towards other health effects, such as premature birth.
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