Latest news with #Trasande
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
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heart disease death risk raised by common household products, study finds
Chemicals found in plastics have been linked to a multitude of health risks — and now heart disease mortality has been added to the list. In an analysis of population surveys, researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that daily exposure to chemicals in common household items could have been a factor in more than 356,000 heart disease deaths in 2018 alone. That number equates to more than 13% of heart disease-related deaths worldwide for people between 55 and 64 years of age. Study Finds Evidence Of Microplastics In Brains And Other Organs The study, which was published in the journal Lancet eBioMedicine on April 29, explored the risks of chemicals called phthalates, which are found in cosmetics, detergents, solvents, plastic pipes, bug repellents and other products, according to an NYU press release. In this research, the focus was a specific type of phthalate called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is used to make softer, more flexible plastics like food containers and medical equipment, the release stated. Read On The Fox News App DEHP has been linked to inflammation in the arteries of the heart, making people more susceptible to heart attack or stroke. Chewing Gum May Release Thousands Of Microplastics Into The Saliva, Study Says To determine levels of DEHP exposure, the researchers analyzed dozens of population surveys spanning 200 countries and territories. Mortality data was obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a research group in the U.S. that collects medical information worldwide to identify trends in public health. "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 study lead author Sara Hyman, BS, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in the release. The regions with the highest heart disease death tolls linked to phthalates include the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific. "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," said senior study author Dr. Trasande, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, professor of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in the release. Inflammation is a known cause of coronary artery disease, according to Dr. Jasdeep Dalawari, an Illinois-based interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. Blood Pressure And Dementia Risk Share Surprising Link, Study Suggests "Our bodies release chemicals and hormones that give directions to the artery to open, close or change diameter," Dalawari, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "This study suggests that microplastics may interfere with those internal signals, so the artery doesn't perform the way it should." "Microplastics are widely present in a variety of products we use every day, and it's crucial to understand their long-term effects on human health," he added. Renato Apolito, M.D., medical director of cardiac catheterization at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, agreed that manmade plastic products have long been known and suspected to be health risks. This Odd Dental Habit Could Spark Heart Health Risks, Experts Warn "These often use highly engineered chemicals where the goal is not quality and safety, but instead cost-effectiveness and convenience," Apolito, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. The doctor shared that he stopped using non-stick pans long ago, and mostly uses glass storage and avoids eating and drinking from plastic containers. Apolito noted, however, that the "longitudinal and observational" nature of the study comes with limitations. "It is generally used to see if there's any correlation between exposure and health risk, which is then used to study the topic further in a more controlled fashion," Apolito, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "It cannot control for unidentified variations in lifestyles among the people followed." Senior author Trasande also pointed out the potential limitations. The analysis does not establish that DEHP caused heart disease and that higher death risks did not take into account other types of phthalates, he stated. The study also did not include death rates in other age groups, the doctor pointed out, which means the overall death toll is "likely much higher." Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate how reducing phthalate exposure affects mortality rates. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter They will also measure the chemical's potential role in other health concerns. "These studies are typically what are used to study the next step of elucidating cause and effect," Apolito said. "This can lead to the FDA and other policymakers banning or outlawing the use of such products." The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dalawari suggested that the researchers may want to look at other contributing factors, including air pollution, which has proven to be a "novel non-traditional risk factor" for coronary disease. For more Health articles, visit "The intersection of pollution, regulation and genetic predisposition provides a complex landscape, and further research is necessary to unravel these connections, paving the way for more informed public health policies and preventive measures," he article source: Heart disease death risk raised by common household products, study finds
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Heart disease risk raised by common household products, study finds
Chemicals found in plastics have been linked to a multitude of health risks — and now heart disease mortality has been added to the list. In an analysis of population surveys, researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that daily exposure to chemicals in common household items could have been a factor in more than 356,000 heart disease deaths in 2018 alone. That number equates to more than 13% of heart disease-related deaths worldwide for people between 55 and 64 years of age. The study, which was published in the journal Lancet eBioMedicine on April 29, explored the risks of chemicals called phthalates, which are found in cosmetics, detergents, solvents, plastic pipes, bug repellents and other products, according to an NYU press release. In this research, the focus was a specific type of phthalate called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is used to make softer, more flexible plastics like food containers and medical equipment, the release stated. DEHP has been linked to inflammation in the arteries of the heart, making people more susceptible to heart attack or stroke. To determine levels of DEHP exposure, the researchers analyzed dozens of population surveys spanning 200 countries and territories. Mortality data was obtained from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a research group in the U.S. that collects medical information worldwide to identify trends in public health. "Our results underscore the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins." "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 study lead author Sara Hyman, BS, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in the release. The regions with the highest heart disease death tolls linked to phthalates include the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific. "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," said senior study author Dr. Trasande, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, professor of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in the release. Inflammation is a known cause of coronary artery disease, according to Dr. Jasdeep Dalawari, an Illinois-based interventional cardiologist and regional chief medical officer at VitalSolution, an Ingenovis Health company. "Our bodies release chemicals and hormones that give directions to the artery to open, close or change diameter," Dalawari, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "This study suggests that microplastics may interfere with those internal signals, so the artery doesn't perform the way it should." "Microplastics are widely present in a variety of products we use every day, and it's crucial to understand their long-term effects on human health," he added. Renato Apolito, M.D., medical director of cardiac catheterization at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, agreed that manmade plastic products have long been known and suspected to be health risks. "These often use highly engineered chemicals where the goal is not quality and safety, but instead cost-effectiveness and convenience," Apolito, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. The doctor shared that he stopped using non-stick pans long ago, and mostly uses glass storage and avoids eating and drinking from plastic containers. Apolito noted, however, that the "longitudinal and observational" nature of the study comes with limitations. "It is generally used to see if there's any correlation between exposure and health risk, which is then used to study the topic further in a more controlled fashion," Apolito, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "It cannot control for unidentified variations in lifestyles among the people followed." Senior author Trasande also pointed out the potential limitations. The analysis does not establish that DEHP caused heart disease and that higher death risks did not take into account other types of phthalates, he stated. The study also did not include death rates in other age groups, the doctor pointed out, which means the overall death toll is "likely much higher." Looking ahead, the researchers plan to investigate how reducing phthalate exposure affects mortality rates. They will also measure the chemical's potential role in other health concerns. "These studies are typically what are used to study the next step of elucidating cause and effect," Apolito said. "This can lead to the FDA and other policymakers banning or outlawing the use of such products." "Microplastics are widely present in a variety of products we use every day, and it's crucial to understand their long-term effects on human health." The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dalawari suggested that the researchers may want to look at other contributing factors, including air pollution, which has proven to be a "novel non-traditional risk factor" for coronary disease. "The intersection of pollution, regulation and genetic predisposition provides a complex landscape, and further research is necessary to unravel these connections, paving the way for more informed public health policies and preventive measures," he added.
Economic Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Found in shampoo and curtains, this toxic chemical in your home could be killing you: Study warns
A new global study has linked the plastic additive di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in household items and personal care products, to over 356,000 cardiovascular-related deaths in 2018 among people aged 55 to 64. The research, published in eBiomedicine, highlights how phthalates can trigger inflammation in the heart, contributing to fatal outcomes. Regions like South Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East accounted for nearly 75% of the deaths, with India reporting the highest toll. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Cardiovascular Inflammation and Hormonal Disruption Global and Economic Impact Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Minimizing Daily Exposure A groundbreaking global study has drawn attention to the significant health risks posed by phthalates—synthetic chemicals found in many common plastic products. Researchers from New York University's Grossman School of Medicine have linked exposure to one particular phthalate, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), to over 356,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease in 2018 among people aged 55 to used to make plastics more flexible, is found in a broad range of consumer goods including food packaging, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, shampoo, cosmetics, and even medical devices like IV bags and catheters. The study, published in The Lancet eBiomedicine, examined exposure levels in 200 countries and territories using urine samples to estimate how much of the broken-down chemical had entered individuals' bodies. The results were then compared to global cardiovascular death statistics from the Institute for Health Metrics and to senior study author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, DEHP contributes to 'inflammation and systemic inflammation in the coronary arteries,' which may worsen existing heart conditions and potentially result in fatal outcomes. Dr. Trasande also emphasized the role of phthalates as endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormones that regulate essential biological functions such as metabolism and heart are already well known for their link to male reproductive issues, including reduced sperm count, testosterone disruption, and genital abnormalities. They have also been associated with asthma, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. DEHP, in particular, is listed under California's Proposition 65 for its potential to cause reproductive harm and burden of DEHP-related cardiovascular deaths is not evenly distributed. India reported the highest number of such deaths—over 103,000—followed by China and Indonesia. Collectively, regions including the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and the Pacific accounted for nearly 75% of these fatalities. These areas also face heightened exposure due to rapid industrialization and fewer regulatory restrictions on plastic the study did not establish direct causation, it is considered the first to provide a global estimate of cardiovascular deaths linked to phthalate exposure. Researchers estimate the economic cost of these deaths to range from $510 billion to over $3.7 trillion due to lost how prevalent phthalates are, avoiding them entirely may be difficult. However, experts suggest several practical steps to reduce exposure. Consumers are advised not to microwave food in plastic containers, as heat can cause the chemicals to leach into food. Using glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers for food storage is recommended. Additionally, people should opt for fragrance-free personal care and cleaning products, avoid air fresheners, and check plastic recycling labels—steering clear of products marked with codes 3, 6, and 7.'Reducing your use of ultraprocessed foods can reduce the levels of chemical exposures,' said Dr. Trasande, who also leads the NYU Center for the Investigation of Environmental stressed the urgency for stricter global regulations on DEHP and other phthalates, especially in regions with high usage and weak chemical oversight. '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,' stated lead author Sara Hyman.
