Study Links Common Household Plastics to Hundreds of Thousands of Heart-Related Deaths Worldwide

A startling new study has found that a group of synthetic chemicals commonly found in everyday plastic products may be linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths from heart disease each year.

The chemicals in question are phthalates — often referred to as “everywhere chemicals” because of how widely they’re used. These compounds are found in food containers, cosmetics, shampoos, perfumes, vinyl flooring, children’s toys, and countless other items many people use daily.

According to research published in the journal eBiomedicine, exposure to one specific phthalate — DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate) — may have contributed to over 368,000 global deaths in 2018 among adults aged 55 to 64. That accounts for more than 10% of all global heart disease deaths in that age group.

“Phthalates trigger inflammation in the coronary arteries and can worsen existing heart conditions, leading to fatal events,” explained Dr. Leonardo Trasande, senior author of the study and professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Phthalates are also known to disrupt hormones, including testosterone — a critical factor in male heart health. Low testosterone in men has long been linked to increased cardiovascular risk.

The study found the highest share of phthalate-related heart disease deaths in:

Africa: 30% of total deaths linked to DEHP
East Asia and the Middle East: 25% combined

Lead author Sara Hyman described the findings as a wake-up call. “These chemicals pose a serious global health threat. It’s time for people and governments to take them seriously.”

Previous studies have already linked phthalates to:

Reproductive issues in men and baby boys
Asthma
Obesity in children
Certain cancers

A past U.S.-focused study by Trasande’s team found that phthalate exposure may lead to 91,000 to 107,000 premature deaths annually among Americans aged 55 to 64. That research estimated an economic toll of $40 to $47 billion per year in lost productivity.

Phthalates are used to make plastics softer and more flexible. You’ll often find them in:

PVC pipes, vinyl flooring, and medical tubing
Food packaging, detergents, and furniture
Personal care products like soap, lotion, hair spray, and cosmetics

Exposure occurs through breathing, eating, drinking, or skin contact — particularly when heating plastics or using products that release phthalate-laden fragrance.

While environmental health experts are sounding alarms, the American Chemistry Council, which represents the chemical industry, declined to comment directly on the study. The group said its High Phthalates Panel is focused on highlighting the benefits of phthalates like DINP and DIDP.

Some scientists also pointed out a limitation: the study assumes that DEHP exposure affects populations around the world in the same way it does in the U.S., which may not account for differences in healthcare access or exposure levels.

The good news: there are practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure.

Simple ways to avoid phthalates:

Ditch plastic food containers for glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or wood
Never microwave food in plastic
Avoid scented cleaning supplies, lotions, and air fresheners
Choose fresh or frozen produce instead of canned or processed items
Encourage frequent handwashing
Steer clear of plastics labeled with recycling codes 3 (PVC), 6 (PS), and 7 (Other)