A new study suggests that 350,000 heart-related deaths may be due in part to exposure to high levels of phthalates – chemicals used to make plastic soft and flexible.
But before you throw out every piece of plastic you own, it might help to know some context.
What’s New?
New York University researchers estimated that in 2018, worldwide, about 13% of deaths from heart and blood vessel problems among adults ages 55-64 may have been partly because of exposure to phthalates. That’s 356,238 deaths total.
The findings reinforce just how important it is for scientists to better understand how phthalates affect our health – because if this theory turns out to be right, then the scale of the chemicals’ impact would warrant changes.
Why This Is a Theory, Not a Fact
The researchers used a statistical model built on some assumptions (since they don’t know each person’s actual exposure to phthalates). They pulled large data sets from other studies about phthalate levels in people’s body fluids, and they also used a suggested formula relating phthalate exposure to deaths from problems with the heart and blood vessels.
This kind of analysis has important limitations:
- The study shows association, not causation. In other words, it can’t prove that phthalates cause deadly heart problems, only that there’s a link between the two. Fact: Scientists still don’t fully understand the relationship between phthalate exposure and heart problems – or whether there even is one.
- It doesn’t factor in other variables that might affect the results. The statistical methods simply cannot account for certain environmental or lifestyle influences. For example, the researchers said they couldn’t fully account for social and economic factors, which are known to influence people’s health in ways that range from diet and stress to access to health care.
Then Why Is This Study So Important?
The analysis used a detailed statistical model that incorporated a large dataset. Prior research has already linked phthalates to health problems, and this study attempts to estimate how widespread those effects might be.
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“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,” study lead author Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said in a news release.
How It All May Affect Your Health
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently investigating the health risks of five phthalates, including DEHP, which was the focus of this latest study. The EPA’s investigation was prompted by some of these known health facts:
- Phthalates have been found in food and in human blood.
- Lab studies of animals have linked prenatal phthalate exposure to a condition called phthalate syndrome, which can affect male testosterone levels and fertility.
What Can You Do About Phthalate Exposure?
The chemicals can be ingested, such as from contact with food or drink containers, absorbed through the skin via personal care products, and even inhaled. Some phthalate reduction tip sheets suggest frequent vacuuming and seeking out both glass and steel food storage containers.
What’s Next?
The researchers said they plan to analyze how reductions in phthalate exposure over time may affect death rates, and they also want to analyze phthalates alongside preterm birth data.
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