Latest news with #LeonardoTrasande
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists reveal stunning death toll linked to products we use every day: 'A tremendous danger to human health'
A new report linked the 356,000 global deaths due to heart disease in 2018 to exposure to a chemical found in common plastic items. Researchers from New York University Langone Health conducted an analysis that focused on the chemical di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or DEHP, which is used in food containers, medical equipment, and other soft, flexible plastic products. The researchers analyzed population surveys from 200 countries and territories, which contained data about urine samples contaminated with byproducts left by DEHP. "Exposure has been shown in other studies to prompt an overactive immune response (inflammation) in the heart's arteries, which over time is associated with increased risk of heart attack or stroke," they said. Results from the study, published in the journal Lancet eBioMedicine, estimate that DEHP exposure accounted for 356,238 deaths, over 13% of the world's mortality from heart disease in women and men between the ages of 55 and 64 in 2018. About three-fourths of that death toll came from East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific, likely because they are in a manufacturing boom in plastic production and don't have as many regulations as other regions. "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 Sara Hyman, lead author and associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The study didn't include other age groups or look at other phthalates. Because of this, senior author Leonardo Trasande believes the death rate connected to DEHP could be much higher. Phthalates are often digested when they break down into microplastics. Experts have warned that this causes a range of health issues, including fertility issues, obesity, diabetes, and some cancers. According to CNN, the chemicals are "often called 'everywhere chemicals' because they are so common." Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Unfortunately, you can come in contact with these chemicals in many ways, including food and drinks that come in contact with plastic and the air you breathe. "Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins," said Dr. Trasande. While regulations are catching up, you can use less plastic to limit your exposure to these toxic chemicals. For example, ditch the plastic water bottles for a cute reusable bottle. It will help keep you and your family safe and healthy. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A doctor who studies toxic chemicals explains why he avoids paper receipts at the store
Receipts often contain bisphenols, which are chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity and cancer. That's because receipts are coated in a plastic polymer for heat-based printing. Dr. Leonardo Trasande from NYU Langone says he opts for email and text receipts when possible. Plastics and the chemicals they carry are everywhere, from our air, water, and blood to the products we use every day. Researchers like Dr. Leonardo Trasande know the unexpected places where these chemicals sneak into our lives, like the receipts you get at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and clothing outlets. "We don't think of thermal paper receipts as plastic, but that shiny coating is a polymer on top," Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and environmental health researcher at NYU Langone, told Business Insider. Trasande's main complaint about receipts is what that plastic polymer puts into human skin. Where there is plastic, he added, "chemicals of concern come along for the ride." When it's an option to receive his receipt by email or text, Trasande goes for that. Receipts are usually made of thermal paper, which is designed to print using heat-sensitive inks. That makes for cheap and easy on-the-spot printing in restaurants and businesses. The problem is that this thermal paper usually contains bisphenols, a class of chemicals used to manufacture plastics. The most famous bisphenol, called BPA, has been linked to heart disease, decreased fertility, breast and prostate cancers and, in children, asthma and neurodevelopmental issues. BPA has been phased out of US products over the past decade, including receipts. However, studies have found that many receipt manufacturers have replaced the BPA with its cousin BPS, which is banned in Europe for use in food containers, considered a reproductive toxin by the state of California, and has been associated with breast cancer. If you touch a receipt that's coated in BPS, the toxic chemical can quickly enter your body by absorbing through your skin, according to recent research. This year, the nonprofit watchdog Center for Environmental Health tested receipts from 32 major retailers and found that touching one for 10 seconds would expose someone to enough BPS to legally require a warning in California. Under the state's Proposition 65, businesses must provide warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The CEH delivered a legal notice to those 32 retailers in April. "Chemicals used in plastic materials need to be properly vetted for safety," Trasande said. "Insofar as chemicals are identified to be toxic to human health, we have safer alternatives that should be considered." He called electronic receipts "an important positive step forward." Underlying the bisphenols, of course, is plastic. Though Trasande said there is much more definitive research on the health effects of many chemicals in plastics, emerging science about the proliferation of plastics themselves throughout the human body is not comforting. The plastic items that surround us all in our homes, workplaces, schools, and even the outdoors are shedding tiny particles called microplastics — or, when they get really tiny, nanoplastics. These minuscule plastics build up in our bodies. They've been found in almost every human body tissue researchers have checked, from the brain to the lining of the arteries. Their health impacts are not yet clear, but they've been linked to chronic inflammation, lung and colon cancers, reproductive health issues, and heart attack and stroke risk. "There are limits to what I can control," Trasande said. "At the same time, there are so many steps we can take to reduce our exposure to chemicals of concern and particularly micro- and nanoplastics." Declining paper receipts is one of them. On the whole, though, Trasande said the world needs to reduce its plastic production. If business as usual continues, plastics production is expected to triple by 2060, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Trasande said a global plastics treaty would help. According to Reuters, the United Nations is set to resume negotiations for such a treaty in August. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
A doctor who studies toxic chemicals explains why he avoids paper receipts at the store
Receipts often contain bisphenols, which are chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity and cancer. That's because receipts are coated in a plastic polymer for heat-based printing. Dr. Leonardo Trasande from NYU Langone says he opts for email and text receipts when possible. Plastics and the chemicals they carry are everywhere, from our air, water, and blood to the products we use every day. Researchers like Dr. Leonardo Trasande know the unexpected places where these chemicals sneak into our lives, like the receipts you get at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and clothing outlets. "We don't think of thermal paper receipts as plastic, but that shiny coating is a polymer on top," Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and environmental health researcher at NYU Langone, told Business Insider. Trasande's main complaint about receipts is what that plastic polymer puts into human skin. Where there is plastic, he added, "chemicals of concern come along for the ride." When it's an option to receive his receipt by email or text, Trasande goes for that. Toxic chemicals on store receipts Receipts are usually made of thermal paper, which is designed to print using heat-sensitive inks. That makes for cheap and easy on-the-spot printing in restaurants and businesses. The problem is that this thermal paper usually contains bisphenols, a class of chemicals used to manufacture plastics. The most famous bisphenol, called BPA, has been linked to heart disease, decreased fertility, breast and prostate cancers and, in children, asthma and neurodevelopmental issues. BPA has been phased out of US products over the past decade, including receipts. However, studies have found that many receipt manufacturers have replaced the BPA with its cousin BPS, which is banned in Europe for use in food containers, considered a reproductive toxin by the state of California, and has been associated with breast cancer. If you touch a receipt that's coated in BPS, the toxic chemical can quickly enter your body by absorbing through your skin, according to recent research. This year, the nonprofit watchdog Center for Environmental Health tested receipts from 32 major retailers and found that touching one for 10 seconds would expose someone to enough BPS to legally require a warning in California. Under the state's Proposition 65, businesses must provide warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The CEH delivered a legal notice to those 32 retailers in April. "Chemicals used in plastic materials need to be properly vetted for safety," Trasande said. "Insofar as chemicals are identified to be toxic to human health, we have safer alternatives that should be considered." He called electronic receipts "an important positive step forward." Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. What is your job title? (1 of 2) Entry level position Project manager Management Senior management Executive management Student Self-employed Retired Other Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Microplastics in receipts Underlying the bisphenols, of course, is plastic. Though Trasande said there is much more definitive research on the health effects of many chemicals in plastics, emerging science about the proliferation of plastics themselves throughout the human body is not comforting. The plastic items that surround us all in our homes, workplaces, schools, and even the outdoors are shedding tiny particles called microplastics — or, when they get really tiny, nanoplastics. These minuscule plastics build up in our bodies. They've been found in almost every human body tissue researchers have checked, from the brain to the lining of the arteries. Their health impacts are not yet clear, but they've been linked to chronic inflammation, lung and colon cancers, reproductive health issues, and heart attack and stroke risk. "There are limits to what I can control," Trasande said. "At the same time, there are so many steps we can take to reduce our exposure to chemicals of concern and particularly micro- and nanoplastics." Declining paper receipts is one of them. On the whole, though, Trasande said the world needs to reduce its plastic production. If business as usual continues, plastics production is expected to triple by 2060, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Trasande said a global plastics treaty would help. According to Reuters, the United Nations is set to resume negotiations for such a treaty in August.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Common household chemical found linked to heart disease deaths
Daily exposure to chemicals used in common household plastic products could be behind hundreds of thousands of heart disease-related deaths every year, according to a new study. Scientists have long warned of health problems linked to this class of plastic chemicals called phthalates, typically found in cosmetics, detergents, solvents, plastic pipes, and bug repellants. Previous studies have linked the chemicals to increased risks of obesity, diabetes, hormone and fertility issues, and cancer. Now, a new study has linked the plastic ingredient to more than 356,000 global deaths from heart disease in 2018 alone. Researchers from New York University Langone Health studied Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, or DEHP, which is used to make food containers, medical equipment, and other plastic products softer and more flexible, and found that prolonged exposure to the chemical could cause inflammation in the arteries of the heart, which, over time, could heighten heart attack or stroke risk. The latest study, published in the journal EBio Medicine, found that DEHP exposure contributed to 356,238 deaths in 2018, nearly 13 per cent of all global mortality from heart disease among men and women aged between 55 and 64 that year. Researchers estimated the economic burden from the deaths at around $510 billion but noted that it could reach as high as $3.74 trillion. '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,' study co-author Sara Hyman said. In the study, scientists assessed health and environmental data from dozens of population surveys to estimate DEHP exposure across 200 countries and territories. The data also included urine samples containing chemical breakdown products left by the plastic additive. India had the highest death toll linked to phthalates at 103,587, followed by China and Indonesia, the study concluded. Scientists suspect the high mortality linked to DEHP exposure in these countries could be due to a boom in their plastic production but with fewer manufacturing restrictions than in other regions. 'There is a clear disparity in which parts of the world bear the brunt of heightened heart risks from phthalates,' study senior author Leonardo Trasande said. While researchers cautioned that the findings did not imply DEHP caused heart disease directly or alone, they said the overall death toll from heart disease connected to these chemicals could be much higher. 'Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in areas most affected by rapid industrialization and plastic consumption,' Dr Trasande said.
Epoch Times
07-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Exposure to Common Chemical in Plastics Tied to Heart Disease Deaths
Daily exposure to a type of phthalate—chemicals commonly used in polyvinyl chloride products like piping, medical tubes and bags, and cling films—may be linked to more than 13 percent of deaths from heart disease globally in 2018, according to a new study. The Although the study authors note in a 'The fact that phthalates are so pervasive and can affect multiple organ systems makes them a serious public health concern,' said Janetta Bryksin, director of clinical chemistry and toxicology at Emory University School of Medicine, in an interview with The Epoch Times. Hidden Killer The study, conducted by NYU Langone researchers and recently published in Lancet eBiomedicine, used health and environmental data from various population surveys worldwide to assess DEHP exposure across 200 countries. These data were then linked to global mortality trends. Developing regions bore the heaviest burden of deaths linked to DEHP exposures. South Asia and the Middle East together accounted for about 42 percent of DEHP-linked heart disease deaths, while East Asia and the Pacific contributed nearly 32 percent. Together, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific experienced a disproportionately high share of these deaths—about three-fourths of the total. Related Stories 5/21/2022 1/28/2025 People with the highest levels of phthalates had a greater risk of death from any cause, especially cardiovascular mortality, the study found The authors noted that these regions likely face greater exposure to phthalates due to rising plastic production and less stringent manufacturing regulations. DEHP exposure is linked to increased inflammation in the heart's arteries, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes over time, the researchers stated. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of population health at NYU Langone Health and senior study author, emphasized the urgent need for regulations to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals, particularly in areas experiencing rapid industrial growth. 'Countries with rapid industrial growth and fewer safety regulations—like India, China, and Indonesia, shoulder the greatest burden of phthalate-related heart disease,' Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified osteopathic physician specializing in family medicine, told The Epoch Times. 'That should be a call to action. Whether you live in a major city or a rural town, you have the right to clean food, safe products, and a toxin-free environment.' Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate how reducing phthalate exposure might influence mortality rates over time and to examine other health issues linked to these chemicals, including preterm birth. The researchers estimated the economic implications of deaths linked to DEHP exposure to be as high as $3.74 trillion. A the same team found that phthalates were responsible for more than 90,000 premature deaths each year in the United States, many linked to heart disease. Health Risks Beyond Cardiovascular Disease Phthalates, classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, carry broad health effects because they interfere with the body's hormonal systems, Bryksin said. In children, phthalates have been associated with developmental and behavioral issues, including reduced cognitive function and attention disorders, she noted. In adults, they've been linked to reproductive problems, such as lower sperm quality and disrupted menstrual cycles, as well as increased risks for obesity, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, and hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer. Mercola said that one of the most alarming effects involves children's brain development. 'If you're pregnant, exposure to phthalates may harm your child's cognitive abilities before birth,' he said. 'The damage appears to be especially pronounced when exposure occurs during key developmental windows like the second trimester.' 'There is also concern about their role in thyroid disruption and early puberty,' Bryksin added. She said there are meaningful ways to reduce phthalate exposure, but noted that the responsibility currently falls more on individuals than on regulatory systems. To reduce personal exposure, Bryksin recommended the following steps: Limit use of plastic products, especially those labeled with recycling code no. 3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Opt for glass, stainless steel, or phthalate-free alternatives for food storage and children's toys. Choose personal care products labeled 'phthalate-free,' and avoid those with generic 'fragrance' listed as an ingredient. Reduce consumption of processed and packaged foods in favor of fresh, whole foods. Clean frequently to minimize household dust, where phthalates can accumulate. She said that, 'ultimately, reducing population-wide exposure will depend on policy changes that restrict phthalate use and mandate clearer labeling, efforts that are still catching up with the science.'
