New study links chemicals in plastics to heart disease deaths
A new study is linking chemicals commonly found in plastics with deaths from heart disease around the world. The research, published in the journal eBioMedicine this spring, linked more than 350,000 deaths worldwide to phthalate exposure.
Phthalates (pronounced tha-lates) are a set of chemicals that can be found in most plastics, including food packages, shampoos and cosmetics like moisturizers and lotions. The study links exposure to the chemical additives to 13% of heart disease deaths worldwide in people ages 55 to 64. Most of these deaths occurred in the Pacific, Middle East and Asia, which raises questions about the growing abundance of plastic waste in developing countries and whether that is exposing populations there to higher amounts of dangerous phthalates.
Phthalates are added to plastics to increase flexibility and to cosmetics to retain scents. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated as recently as 2018 that phthalates are not clearly linked with any health effects. However, some studies show they not only increase the incidence of heart disease but also could contribute to metabolic disorders, obesity and even male fertility issues.
“Phthalates are chemicals added to plastics to make them stretchy, and soft. They are also used in lotions, shampoos, and perfumes to retain scents,” says Dr. Indu Poornima, cardiologist, medical director of the AHN Women’s Heart Center and system director of clinical cardiology and imaging. “Unfortunately, they remain in the environment long after the product is used and can enter the human body through the skin, ingestion, or inhalation.”
Environmental groups are pushing to have these additives banned, but the U.S. still allows nine types of phthalates in food packaging.
“Phthalates have been linked to several health problems, including heart disease, male fertility problems, obesity, and ADHD,” says Poornima. “They are called endocrine disruptors since they change hormone levels in the body. These effects are even seen in children and newborns due to maternal exposure to phthalates. Countries which have a high exposure to phthalates seem to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease such as South Asia and the Middle East where the production and use of plastic products are higher.”
Air pollution can also contain microscopic plastic particles called nanoplastics that research shows can contribute to cardiovascular issues. These nanoplastics have also been found in some patients’ carotid arteries, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack.
“While the link between phthalates and health issues has been suspected and studied before, the scale of impact on heart disease deaths is concerning and warrants further investigation,” Poornima says. “Phthalates are believed to cause excess inflammation in the body, which can exacerbate or overlap with other risk factors for heart disease such as obesity and high blood pressure. Inflammation is what triggers a heart attack.”
One step you can take to protect yourself is to try to limit exposure to plastics by using glass or ceramic containers for food instead of plastic, washing hands regularly to clean off chemicals and using unscented cosmetics, detergents and cleaning products.
“First is raising awareness in the public,” says Poornima. “The link between use of plastics and various diseases has been established, especially breast cancer, thyroid problems, and infertility. Now it’s time to talk about the link with cardiovascular disease, although more research is needed. Reducing plastic use can also help the environment overall; hence, it is the right move.”
Poornima adds that studies such as this one can raise awareness and encourage more research that can lead to policy change and stricter regulation of phthalate use.
“Several countries around the globe such as Japan, as well as the European Union, have stricter restrictions on phthalate content in products,” she says. “Increased awareness and advocacy from scientists and environmental organizations may push lawmakers to eliminate phthalates from food packaging and other plastics.
“We are only scratching the surface of the environmental causes of cardiovascular disease. There is more to be understood, and continued good, thorough research is needed.”