DEHP (Diethylhexyl Phthalate), a chemical molecule present in certain plastics, better known as bis phthalate, is responsible for more than 350,000 deaths by cardiovascular disease each year in the world. A scientific study published in the journal Lancet Biomedecine in April 2025 estimated at 356,000 the number of premature deaths attributable to DEHP for the only year 2018.
« By highlighting the link between phthalates and one of the main causes of death in the world, our results add a set of evidence to the fact that these chemicals present a major risk for human health »; says Sara Hyman. She is the main author of the study and researcher at New York University, quoted by Sciencedaily on July 6. Exposure to bis phthalate can cause an increase in the risk of heart attack since this substance arouses inflammation in the arteries of the heart, according to several previous scientific studies. The researchers wanted to measure the impact of the exposure to the molecule in the world and thus propose a first evaluation of the phenomenon.
DEHP is present in food packaging and in certain medical equipment. Its action as an endocrine disruptor and as a carcinogenic is known. Nevertheless the DEHP remains authorized in France and in Europe, but with concentrations not to be exceeded.
An inequality of exposure to DEHP which results in larger deaths in developing countries
According to scientists at New York Langone Health University who conducted this study, the DEHP would be responsible for more than one in 10 deaths (13 %) in the world linked to a heart disease between 55 and 64. They also note that three quarters of these deaths occur in the Middle East and Asia. This would be explained in part by the strong growth in plastics production in these regions, with less regulations than elsewhere.
There are clear disparities between the regions of the world on the impact of phthalates on heart risks, summarizes Leonardo Trasande from New York University. This other author of the study concludes that: ” Our results underline the urgent need for global regulations to reduce exposure to these toxins, especially in the regions concerned by rapid industrialization and an increase in plastic consumption. »»
Julien Leprovost
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To go further
L’étude (en anglais) Phthalate exposure from plastics and cardiovascular disease: global estimates of attributable mortality and years life lost – eBioMedicine
et le communiqué de l’Université de New York (en anglais) Heart Disease Deaths Worldwide Linked to Chemical Widely Used in Plastics | NYU Langone News
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