Overview
- The NYU-led study estimates 356,238 cardiovascular deaths in 2018 were attributable to DEHP exposure, accounting for 13.4% of global CVD mortality that year.
- Asia, particularly South Asia and the Middle East, bore 73% of the DEHP-attributable deaths, while Europe reported the lowest exposure levels.
- DEHP, an endocrine-disrupting chemical used in plastics like food packaging and medical devices, is linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes via oxidative stress and metabolic disruption.
- Researchers emphasize the need for immediate global policy interventions to mitigate health risks from phthalate exposure, particularly in heavily industrialized and plastic-consuming regions.
- Experts caution that the study's findings show association, not causation, and note the limitations of attributing deaths to a single chemical in multifactorial diseases like CVD.