A ‘forever chemical’ in thousands of cosmetic products could be responsible for over 350,000 heart disease deaths each year, a government-funded study suggests.

Researchers in New York City combed through health and environmental data from 200 countries to measure exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).

DEHP is a type of phthalate, toxic chemicals used to help scents last longer and in food containers to make them more durable. 

Studies have shown they imitate the body’s hormones and interfere with the production of – and response to – natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone. 

But previous research has also shown that phthalates can cause an immune response that triggers inflammation in the heart’s major arteries. 

Over time, this inflammation may cause the heart to work harder and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Based on these findings, the researchers estimated exposure to DEHP contributed to over 350,000 deaths worldwide from heart disease every year.

And in the US alone, DEHP was directly linked to one in eight – 10,000 – deaths from cardiovascular disease, America’s number one killer that takes more lives than cancer and dementia combined.

A new study from New York University found toxic chemicals called phthalates, found in cosmetic products like perfume, could be responsible for 350,000 deaths worldwide (stock image)

The researchers said the study is likely the first to date to calculate the burden of cardiovascular disease directly caused by toxic chemicals.  

Sara Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, said: ‘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.’

There are nearly 1million deaths from cardiovascular disease – a group of disorders including coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke – every year in the US. 

The study, published Tuesday in the journal Lancet eBiomedicine, analyzed health data from 200 countries, including the US and UK. 

This data included urine samples showing traces of phthalates and mortality data from the US Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

They then used a mathematic model to estimate the likelihood the chemicals played a role. 

They found in 2018, the latest data available, 12 percent of all cardiovascular deaths in the US were related to DEHP exposure. This added up to 10,237 deaths. 

Additionally, these chemicals were responsible for 316,916 years of ‘lost human life’ from cardiovascular disease.  

Worldwide, India had the highest amount of deaths from DEHP exposure at 103,587. China and Indonesia followed closely behind with 60,937 and 19,761, respectively. 

In the UK, DEHP was linked to 947 cardiovascular-related deaths, or just under one in 10.  

The researchers believe long-term exposure to phthalates triggers inflammation in arteries in the heart.

Over time, this leads to conditions like atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries and restricts blood flow. Eventually, the heart needs to worker harder, leaving it prone to heart attacks and strokes. 

Dr Leonardo Trasande, senior study author and professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said: ‘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.’

The above graph shows the percentage of cardiovascular-related deaths that can be attributed to DEHP exposure in eight different areas around the world, including the US

The above map shows the percentage of cardiovascular-related deaths that can be attributed to DEHP exposure by country. Darker colors represent higher percentages

Phthalates are most common in plastics, as they make them pliable and soft and are used in thousands of products, from plastic food wrap to vinyl flooring, garden hoses and shower curtains.

They are also estimated to be in around three-quarters of scented personal care products like deodorants, nail polish, hair gels, shampoos, soaps and lotions.

The fact they are so abundant in beauty goods may partly explain why women consistently have higher levels in their bodies than men. 

The chemicals have been associated with fertility issues in both men and women.  

One study in the journal Toxicological Sciences, for example, found that female mice exposed in the womb to the same phthalate mixtures detected in pregnant women were born with fertility issues, which they then passed on to their female offspring. 

And researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that exposure to the fragrance musk ambrette – which contains phthalates – could increase the risk of early puberty in girls, as children and teens have started wearing makeup and perfume at earlier ages. 

Earlier puberty in girls has been linked to a complications like increased risk for obesity, heart disease, breast cancer, and psychological problems. 

Hundreds of cosmetic and personal care products have been revealed to contain forever chemicals that can have adverse effects on people’s health

At least nine commercially used phthalates – including DEHP – are still authorized to be in cosmetic products in the US – compared to just one in Europe.

However, some states have tried to crack down on these. California’s Prop 65 legislation lists six phthalates – including DEHP – as substances known to cause cancer, birth defects, and reproductive harm.

Phthalates are included in the FDA’s list of chemicals the agency is currently reviewing to determine how safe they are to the food supply.

The legislation requires businesses to determine if they need to provide warning labels about safe chemical levels and has established ‘safe harbor levels’ for some listed chemicals. However, this only applies to one-third of them.

The new study was partly funded by the National Institutes of Health.