The plastic in your home could literally be putting your heart at risk and here's how to avoid it
A recent study links phthalates, chemicals prevalent in everyday items, to a significant number of heart disease deaths globally. The research, focusing on DEHP exposure, estimates over 368,000 deaths in 2018 among individuals aged 55-64. Experts recommend reducing phthalate exposure by avoiding certain plastics and fragranced products, and opting for fresh foods and alternative storage containers.
Phthalates are nearly unavoidable — they're present in countless products, from PVC pipes to personal care items. According to the CDC, people are exposed through contaminated air, food, and drinks. (Representative Image)
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Avoid plastic containers, especially when microwaving or washing them in dishwashers.
Choose unscented lotions and laundry detergents.
Use cleaning products without added fragrances.
Store food in glass, stainless steel, ceramic, or wooden containers.
Opt for fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned goods.
Wash hands frequently to remove chemical residues.
Avoid air fresheners and plastics labeled with recycling codes No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7.
A chemical commonly found in everyday consumer products — such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume, and children's toys — may be contributing to heart attacks, according to a new study.Researchers at NYU Langone 's environmental initiative discovered that synthetic chemicals known as phthalates — widely used in consumer goods — were linked to more than 10% of global deaths from heart disease in 2018 among men and women aged 55 to 64, CNN reported."Phthalates contribute to inflammation and systemic inflammation in the coronary arteries, which can accelerate existing disease and lead to acute events, including mortality," said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, who leads NYU Langone's environmental initiatives.Previous research has already associated phthalates with reproductive issues, such as lower testosterone levels in males, as well as with conditions like asthma and obesity. David Andrews from the Environmental Working Group emphasized the importance of the new findings in an email response. Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council declined to comment directly but pointed to the efforts of its High Phthalates Panel to promote the safe use of certain phthalates.Phthalates are nearly unavoidable — they're present in countless products, from PVC pipes to personal care items. According to the CDC, people are exposed through contaminated air, food, and drinks.The new study, published in eBioMedicine, examined the impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) exposure across 200 global regions. It found that DEHP exposure contributed to 368,764 deaths worldwide in 2018 among those aged 55-64. Africa accounted for 30% of these deaths, while East Asia and the Middle East together made up another 25%. Lead researcher Sara Hyman noted that this marks the first global estimate of DEHP-related health consequences.A previous U.S.-focused study by Trasande's team suggested that phthalates may contribute to 91,000 to 107,000 premature deaths annually among Americans aged 55 to 64, with estimated economic losses between $40 billion and $47 billion each year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Texas woman dies due to brain-eating bacteria after using tap water
A 71-year-old woman in Texas died from a deadly brain infection caused by a microscopic amoeba. The amoeba, which came from her tap water, reached her brain after she used the water for a nasal rinse. According to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the woman used a nasal irrigation device filled with unboiled tap water, which led to the fatal infection. The CDC report stated that the woman had used water from her RV at a campground. The water was inadequately disinfected and contained Naegleria fowleri, a brain-eating amoeba. The report noted that the otherwise healthy woman developed seizures and, despite receiving medical treatment, died eight days after the onset of symptoms. Laboratory testing at the CDC confirmed the presence of N. fowleri in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid. Highlighting the importance of water quality, the CDC report stated: 'This case highlights the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards.' Also read: What is Naegleria fowleri, brain-eating amoeba that killed Texas woman in 8 days? Know how to stay safe Following the incident, an epidemiologic investigation conducted by the Texas Department of State Health Services concluded that the patient had performed nasal irrigation four days before falling ill. Although the investigation could not determine the exact source of the amoeba—whether from the RV's potable water tank or the municipal water system—it confirmed that the route of exposure was tap water. During the investigation, the CDC collected 12 environmental samples, including the patient's irrigation device, water from the RV's water heater, and water from other sources in the RV. The CDC concluded that no N. fowleri DNA or viable amoebae were detected in any of the environmental samples collected from the campsite or RV water system, despite its confirmed presence in the patient. Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba - a type of one-celled organism - that thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs. It is nicknamed the "brain-eating amoeba" because it can infect the brain and destroy brain tissue. Though infections are rare, they are often fatal.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What is Naegleria fowleri, brain-eating amoeba that killed Texas woman in 8 days? Know how to stay safe
Another person has died of Naegleria fowleri, a violent brain-eating amoeba, in Texas this time. Earlier in March, a woman in Karachi became the first victim of the same in 2025. The woman, a generally healthy 71-year-old, began experiencing severe neurological symptoms—such as fever, headache, and altered mental status—four days after using tap water from her RV's water system to fill a nasal irrigation device at a Texas campsite, according to the CDC report. The patient hadn't been swimming or spending time in fresh water, but she did use a nasal rinse a few times with unboiled water from the RV's tap during the four days before she got sick. This pointed to two possible sources of the water she used. First, the RV's water tank, which supplies water directly to the taps and shower when it's not connected to city water. This tank had been filled with water sometime before the patient bought the RV three months earlier. Second, the city water itself, which was hooked up to the RV's system through a hose and water filter, bypassing the tank, when she used it for the nasal rinse. Even with medical treatment for a suspected PAM infection, the patient had seizures and sadly passed away 8 days after her symptoms began. Tests done by the CDC confirmed that N. fowleri was found in her cerebrospinal fluid. Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba," is responsible for Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a disease that is almost always fatal, with a mortality rate of about 98 percent. This amoeba thrives in warm freshwater environments like lakes, rivers, and hot springs, entering the body when contaminated water passes through the nose. As per the CDC, between 1962 and 2023, there were 164 reported cases of PAM in the United States. Only four have survived. Once inside, the amoeba makes its way to the brain, where it destroys brain tissue, causing a rapid decline in neurological function. PAM symptoms start with headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, then progress to stiff neck, confusion, seizures, and hallucinations, eventually leading to coma and death within a few days. Early symptoms of PAM usually emerge about five days after infection and often include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. As the illness advances, more severe signs may appear, such as a stiff neck, confusion, disorientation, seizures, hallucinations, and eventually coma. After symptoms start, the disease progresses rapidly, frequently resulting in death within five days. The amoeba cannot survive in cool, chlorinated, or clean water, which lowers the risk of infection in those conditions. You cannot get a Naegleria fowleri infection from swallowing water containing the ameba. You also can't get an infection from someone else or pass it on to others.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Measles outbreak 2025 in the U.S.: Cases quadruple, near 30-year high—What's really going on?
Measles—once thought to be kicked out of the U.S. for good in 2000—is making an alarming return in 2025. This year alone, over 1,100 cases have been reported across the country, the most seen in nearly 30 years. The outbreak started in West Texas, but it hasn't stayed there—it's now spread to at least 17 states, including California, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. So, what's causing this comeback no one asked for? Why is Measles back? Falling vaccination rates According to the CDC, fewer than 95% of kindergartners were fully vaccinated in the 2022–2023 school year. That 95% mark isn't just a goal—it's the magic number needed for herd immunity, the thing that keeps the virus from bouncing around schools and neighborhoods. Right now, about a quarter-million kids each year are unprotected, and that's a big part of the problem. More vaccine exemptions is more risk Several states have relaxed their vaccination rules, allowing exemptions for religious or personal reasons. Places like Mississippi, once a top performer in vaccination coverage, now allow religious exemptions, which has dragged down their rates. More loopholes = more unprotected kids. Under-vaccinated communities The biggest hotspot right now? Gaines County in West Texas, especially among Mennonite families, where nearly 14% of kids skipped required vaccines last school year. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like At Last, An ED Pill for 87¢ That Actually Works Health Alliance by Friday Plans Learn More Undo It's the epicenter of the outbreak, but other under-vaccinated communities are just as vulnerable. Global travel bringing it back Measles doesn't need a passport. Travelers coming in from countries where measles is still active are unknowingly reintroducing the virus to the U.S. In fact, a bunch of recent cases in Texas and New Mexico have been linked directly to international travel. The MMR vaccine: Your best defense Let's get one thing straight: vaccination works. The MMR shot (that's measles, mumps, rubella) is a powerhouse—it offers up to 97% protection after two doses. It teaches your immune system to fight off the real virus without actually getting sick. When enough people are vaccinated, the virus has nowhere to go. That's herd immunity, and it's crucial for protecting those who can't get the shot—like infants, the elderly, or people with certain health conditions. In Texas, the scare has already led to a 10% rise in vaccination rates in hard-hit areas like Gaines County. But some families are still holding out, turning to alternative remedies that don't actually prevent measles. What does measles feel like? At first, measles feels like a really nasty cold. You're tired, you've got a high fever (101°F or more), a dry cough, and super watery, red eyes that hate bright lights. Throw in a runny nose and sneezing, and it's easy to mistake it for the flu. T hen come the red flags: tiny white spots inside your mouth (called Koplik spots) that look like grains of salt with a red background. That's one of the first signs doctors look for. Next up: the classic measles rash. It usually starts at your hairline or behind your ears and spreads down your body. It's flat and blotchy, sometimes merging into bigger patches. The rash sticks around for about a week, often while your fever's still going strong. When to see a doctor If you (or your kid) has a rash + fever, especially with those telltale mouth spots or flu-like symptoms, don't wait. Measles spreads fast—like, really fast—and it can lead to serious complications, especially for kids and people with weak immune systems. Measles might sound like an old-school disease, but it's clearly not staying in the past. The best way to keep it that way? Vaccinate. Protect yourself, your family, and your community. The virus doesn't stand a chance if we all do our part. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
