Latest news with #GlobalPlasticsTreaty
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Exposure to phthalates in plastics linked to 3.5 lakh heart disease deaths in 2018: study
A daily exposure to phthalates -- commonly used in making household plastic items -- has been related to over 3.5 lakh, or 13 percent, deaths in the world due to heart disease in 2018, among those aged 55-64, a new study has found. India records highest heart disease deaths linked to plastic chemical India had the highest count at 103,587 deaths, followed by China and Indonesia, the study, published in the journal eBioMedicine, found. It also found that about three quarters of the 3.5 lakh deaths were bore by South Asia, along with the Middle East, East Asia, and the Pacific, even as use of phthalates is widespread. Researchers, led by those at the New York University, analysed health and environmental data from population surveys to estimate exposure to phthalates across 200 countries and territories. Plastic ingredient DEHP under spotlight for health risks The study focused on a kind of phthalate called 'di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)' -- used for making plastics in items, such as food containers, softer and more flexible. Data, including those from urine samples, was analysed to discern amounts of products formed due to a chemical breakdown of the phthalate. "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," lead author Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at New York University's school of medicine, said. The authors wrote, "In 2018, an estimated 356,238 deaths globally were attributed to DEHP exposure, representing 13.497 per cent of all cardiovascular deaths among individuals aged 55-64." Phthalates have been shown to break down into microscopic particles and enter human bodies, increasing the risk of wide-ranging conditions, such as obesity, fertility issues and cancer. Exposure to this compound has been studied to trigger inflammation in the heart's arteries, which, over time, is associated with increased risk of heart attack or stroke, the researchers said. Study may influence UN plastics treaty negotiations Findings from the analysis could help "inform ongoing negotiations of a Global Plastics Treaty", they added. The United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty is the world's first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. The findings were found to align with global trends in plastics production and regulation, the team said. For example, they said, India has a rapidly expanding plastics industry, and faces a substantial risk from exposure to phthalates due to plastic waste and an extensive use of the item. "There is a clear disparity in which parts of the world bear the brunt of heightened heart risks from phthalates," senior author Leonardo Trasande, a professor of paediatrics at New York University's school of medicine, said. "Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in areas most affected by rapid industrialisation and plastic consumption," Trasande said. For the analysis, mortality data was obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, US, a research group that collects medical information worldwide to identify trends in public health.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Exposure to phthalates in plastics linked to 13 pc of deaths due to heart disease in 2018: Study
New Delhi: A daily exposure to phthalates -- commonly used in making household plastic items -- has been related to over 3.5 lakh, or 13 per cent, deaths in the world due to heart disease in 2018, among those aged 55-64, a new study has found. India had the highest count at 103,587 deaths, followed by China and Indonesia, the study, published in the journal eBioMedicine, found. It also found that about three quarters of the 3.5 lakh deaths were bore by South Asia, along with the Middle East, East Asia, and the Pacific, even as use of phthalates is widespread. Researchers, led by those at the New York University , analysed health and environmental data from population surveys to estimate exposure to phthalates across 200 countries and territories. The study focused on a kind of phthalate called 'di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)' -- used for making plastics in items, such as food containers, softer and more flexible. Data, including those from urine samples, was analysed to discern amounts of products formed due to a chemical breakdown of the phthalate. "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," lead author Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at New York University's school of medicine, said. The authors wrote, "In 2018, an estimated 356,238 deaths globally were attributed to DEHP exposure , representing 13.497 per cent of all cardiovascular deaths among individuals aged 55-64." Phthalates have been shown to break down into microscopic particles and enter human bodies, increasing the risk of wide-ranging conditions, such as obesity, fertility issues and cancer. Exposure to this compound has been studied to trigger inflammation in the heart's arteries, which, over time, is associated with increased risk of heart attack or stroke, the researchers said. Findings from the analysis could help "inform ongoing negotiations of a Global Plastics Treaty ", they added. The United Nations (UN) Plastics Treaty is the world's first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. The findings were found to align with global trends in plastics production and regulation, the team said. For example, they said, India has a rapidly expanding plastics industry, and faces a substantial risk from exposure to phthalates due to plastic waste and an extensive use of the item. "There is a clear disparity in which parts of the world bear the brunt of heightened heart risks from phthalates," senior author Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics at New York University's school of medicine, said. "Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in areas most affected by rapid industrialisation and plastic consumption," Trasande said. For the analysis, mortality data was obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, US, a research group that collects medical information worldwide to identify trends in public health.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Spoonful of Shock: ‘Saving Our Seas' dives into plastic pollution problem plaguing our planet
'Saving Our Seas: Compounding Catastrophe Pt. 1: Plastic Problems' KTLA's new ocean conservation series 'Saving Our Seas' dives into one of the largest and most worrisome issues facing our planet… the plastic problem. It's a compounding catastrophe that has already begun affecting the creatures all the way up the food chain, including mankind. In this episode, we partner with the Monterey Bay Aqaurium to take a deeper look at the platic predicament and how it's affecting all of us on this planet. Margaret Spring, Chief Conservation & Science Officer at MBA recently returned from a negotiaition of the Global Plastics Treaty, which aims to end plastic pollution on our planet. '175 plus countries agreed to negotiate a treaty to end plastic pollution, which is great news,' says Spring. 'The discussion is how. And that's where we are.' Spring says microplastics have inundated our food chain, 'If you've ever seem marine snow when you're down in the ocean, those little pieces are things that animals eat. Microplastics look a lot like that… and so they'll be eating that instead of food.' But Spring says it's not just sea creatures who will suffer, 'I would say human health is part of the plastics crisis.' In fact, Dr. Matthew Campen, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Albuquerque authored a shocking new study that found plastics in human brains have spiked 50 percent in just the last 8 years. 'When you take our numbers from the mass spectrometry,' Dr. Campen says, 'it comes out to about 7 grams of plastic in the brain. Which is approximately the weight of a plastic spoon.' 'If these numbers are correct, the brain would be 99.5% brain, and .05% plastic,' he said. Dr. Campen says we've only just begun to understand how plastics will affect us. 'We worry that there's some things it's already doing and we haven't realized it yet. For fertility especially, sperm counts, women's health cancer rates for certain things that are increasing over time, that are not explained,' Dr. Campen says, 'and of course neurological diseases.' For more information about how you can get involved, visit our partners at Monterey Bay Aquarium's Act For the Ocean page. Stay tuned for part 2 of Compounding Catastrophe, where we look at the innovators shaping the solution. To watch the full series anytime, log onto This Segment aired on the KTLA Weekend Morning News on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists make concerning discovery while analyzing samples taken at remote Antarctic stations: 'We need to do more research'
Scientists have discovered microplastics are showing up in Antarctic snow and at some of the most remote research stations. If microplastics are evident in one of the most isolated places on Earth, surely they're already making their way into the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. A study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment revealed that researchers have detected microplastics as small as 11 micrometers — or about the size of a red blood cell — at Union Glacier, Schanz Glacier, and the South Pole. With a new detection method, scientists found anywhere from 73 to 3,099 plastic particles in just one liter of snow, according to a summary from the British Antarctic Survey on That's up to 100 times more than past studies reported. The most common plastic found was polyamide, which is used in textiles, ropes, and outdoor gear. Some particles may have traveled long distances, but researchers think much of it comes from nearby sources, like equipment and protective clothing. In the summary, ocean ecologist Dr. Clara Manno said, "We need to do more research to fully understand the sources of microplastic pollution in Antarctica — how much of it is local, and how much is transported over long distances so we can explore how best to reduce this plastic pollution in one of the most pristine places on Earth." Scientists also don't yet know the long-term effects of microplastics in Antarctic snow. But they warn these tiny particles could speed up ice melt by changing how snow reflects sunlight. Microplastics are ending up in the food chain, which means fish, seals, and penguins are likely swallowing them. This could impact the health and survival of these animals, but scientists are still figuring out just how much harm it's causing. A study from the British Antarctic Survey found that krill, a key part of the ocean's food web, might be carrying microplastics to the seafloor. This could interfere with carbon storage, the process by which the ocean traps and holds carbon instead of letting it build up in the air. If that balance gets thrown off, ocean health could decline and contribute to climate problems. Microplastics aren't just in the environment: They're in our bodies too. Scientists have even found them in human placentas and linked them to inflammation, hormone imbalances, and breathing problems. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. A study from Environment International found microplastics in 80% of human blood samples, meaning they are circulating through our bodies in ways scientists are still working to understand. The United Nations is working on a Global Plastics Treaty to push countries toward stricter plastic pollution policies. Scientists are also developing filtration systems to catch microplastics before they reach rivers and oceans. Some of these filters can capture even the tiniest plastic particles, stopping pollution at the source. Individuals can also help by choosing natural fabrics over synthetics, using reusable containers instead of plastic, and supporting policies that limit single-use plastics. Small changes — like adding a filter to your washing machine or checking clothing labels for plastic fibers — can also cut down pollution. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
