A groundbreaking new study has revealed that chemicals found in everyday plastic products may be silently killing hundreds of thousands of people globally. Researchers have linked phthalates-synthetic chemicals commonly found in household items-to more than 356,000 deaths from heart disease worldwide in 2018 alone among adults aged 55-64.
The Hidden Danger in Your Home
Phthalates, often called “everywhere chemicals” because they’re so common, are added to countless products we use daily:
- Food storage containers and packaging
- Shampoo, makeup, and perfume
- Children’s toys
- PVC plumbing pipes
- Vinyl flooring
- Rain- and stain-resistant products
- Medical tubing
- Garden hoses
- Detergents and cleaning products
- Furniture and automotive plastics1
These chemicals make plastics more flexible and harder to break. They’re also added to personal care items to make fragrances last longer. The problem? We’re constantly exposed to them when we breathe contaminated air or consume foods and drinks that have contacted these plastics.
The Deadly Connection
The study, published in the journal eBioMedicine on April 29, 2025, specifically examined the impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)-a phthalate that has been linked to cardiovascular disease.
“Phthalates contribute to inflammation and systemic inflammation in the coronary arteries, which can accelerate existing disease and lead to acute events including mortality,” explained Dr. Leonardo Trasande, senior author and professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
In men, phthalates are known to disrupt testosterone, and “low testosterone is a predictor of adult cardiovascular disease,” Trasande added.
Global Impact
The research team analyzed health and environmental data from population surveys across 200 countries and territories, including urine samples containing chemical breakdown products from DEHP.
The findings were alarming:
- 356,238 deaths in 2018 were linked to DEHP exposure among people aged 55-64
- Africa accounted for 30% of these deaths
- East Asia and the Middle East accounted for 25% of the mortality
- India had the highest death count at 103,587, followed by China and Indonesia
“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,” said lead study author Sara Hyman.
Not The First Warning
This isn’t the first time researchers have raised alarms about phthalates. In a previous study from 2021, the same research team found that phthalates may contribute to 91,000-107,000 premature deaths annually among Americans aged 55-64.
People with the highest levels of phthalates had a greater risk of death from any cause, especially cardiovascular mortality. Those deaths were estimated to cost the United States about $40-47 billion each year in lost economic productivity.
Protecting Yourself
Experts say it is possible to minimize your exposure to phthalates. Here’s how:
- Avoid plastics as much as possible
- Reduce consumption of ultraprocessed foods
- Never put plastic containers in the microwave or dishwasher
- Use unscented lotions and laundry detergents
- Use cleaning supplies without scents
- Store foods in glass, stainless steel, ceramic, or wood containers
- Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned versions
- Wash hands frequently to remove chemicals
- Avoid air fresheners and plastics labeled as No. 3, No. 6, and No.
The Bigger Picture
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently investigating the health risks of five phthalates, including DEHP. Beyond heart disease, phthalates have been linked to reproductive problems, asthma, childhood obesity, and cancer.
Dr. Trasande and his team plan to track how reductions in phthalate exposure may affect global mortality rates over time and expand their research to other health concerns posed by these chemicals, such as preterm birth.
As this research continues to develop, one thing is clear: the plastic products we use every day may be far more dangerous than we ever imagined.
