Latest news with #NewYorkUniversityLangoneHealth
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
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.
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Chemicals in food containers, medical equipment behind spike in heart disease deaths: Lancet
New Delhi: Daily exposure to certain chemicals used in plastic items like food containers or medical equipment could be linked to an increase in deaths due to heart disease worldwide, according to a study published in the journal Lancet eBiomedicine on Tuesday. Researchers at New York University Langone Health said that the chemicals, called phthalates, are in widespread use globally. Phthalates found in cosmetics, detergents, solvents, plastic pipes, and bug repellants have for decades been linked with an increased risk of conditions ranging from obesity and diabetes to fertility issues and cancer. The new study focused on a kind of phthalate called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is used to make food containers, medical equipment, and other plastic softer and more flexible. Previous studies linked their exposure with an overactive immune response (inflammation) in the heart's arteries, which can potentially lead to heart attack or stroke. However, the new analysis estimated that DEHP exposure contributed to 356,238 deaths, or more than 13 per cent of all global mortality from heart disease in 2018 among men and women ages 55 through 64. '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 author Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. For the research, the team used health and environmental data from dozens of population surveys to estimate DEHP exposure across 200 countries and territories. The information included urine samples containing chemical breakdown products left by the plastic additive. The Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific bore a much larger share of the death toll than others -- about three-fourths of the total. It is because these countries face higher rates of exposure to the chemicals, possibly because they are undergoing a boom in plastic production but with fewer manufacturing restrictions than other regions, the researchers explained. '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,' said Leonardo Trasande, from NYU Grossman. Trasande stated that the overall death toll from heart disease connected to these chemicals is likely much higher.
