Heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with contributing factors including coronary artery disease (CAD), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and more.
But a new study links chemicals found in plastic to cardiovascular disease, potentially associated with around 350,000 heart disease deaths around the world in 2018.
Researchers warn that these findings underscore the critical need for stronger global and local regulations on plastic use to address its health risks.
The study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, connects the common plastic additive DEHP to cardiovascular disease. DEHP is a type of phthalate used in making plastics. It has been shown to increase oxidative stress and metabolic problems, according to the study.
In 2018, an estimated 356,238 deaths globally were linked to DEHP exposure, according to the report. Of those, 349,113 deaths were tied to the use of plastics.
Researchers estimated the number of deaths worldwide caused by DEHP exposure using data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and regional DEHP exposure estimates.
People ages 55 to 64 were particularly affected, as DEHP exposure was linked to nearly 13.5 percent of cardiovascular deaths in that age group. The Middle East and South Asia had the highest share of cardiovascular deaths linked to DEHP exposure, at more than 16 percent.
The Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific made up 73 percent of the global total of DEHP-related cardiovascular deaths. The study estimated DEHP exposure caused 10.5 million years of life lost in 2018.
The study was led by Sara Hyman, Jonathan Acevedo, Chiara Giannarelli, and Leonardo Trasande of NYU Langone Health. And funding came from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the National Institutes of Health.
Meanwhile, a USA Today report noted that growing evidence shows microplastic particles — now found everywhere, from Antarctica to the Amazon — are infiltrating our bodies and linked to health issues ranging from heart disease to infertility.
Plastic chemicals can seep into food, which may lead to obesity, heart disease, and other health problems. However, the plastic industry is pushing back against some of the research.
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Speaking with USA Today, Matt Seaholm, CEO and president of the Plastics Industry Association, said plastic provides “unmatched safety, protection, and efficiency across countless applications while offering the potential for reuse and recycling.”
“Our industry prioritizes human health, which is why we are committed to ensuring that plastic is the most suitable and responsible choice for every application in which it is used,” he added.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has been known not only for his skepticism about vaccines but also for his concerns regarding plastic safety. He wrote in 2023 that “Some of the toxic chemicals used in everyday items such as plastic packaging can cause cancer and birth defects,” according to USA Today.
Brett Sealove, chief of cardiology at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, told USA Today that he believes it’s too soon to warn patients about the possible health effects of plastics. However, he expects more useful data to emerge in the coming years.
Microplastics continue to appear in unexpected places, including within the human body. “Be on the lookout for new and better data to come,” he said.
“Right now, there’s no cause and effect; there are only associations, so you have to take them with a grain of salt.”
This is the first study to estimate global deaths and years of life lost due to DEHP exposure, expanding on previous research that focused only on the United States, according to researchers. They added that the findings are meant to inform ongoing negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty, highlighting the worldwide health risks tied to plastic production and use.
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