#Phthalates

A leading heart doctor has raised new alarms over a common chemical found in the capsule shells of many daily medications, including pain relievers and vitamins, warning it could contribute to sudden heart attacks. The physician, a cardiologist affiliated with a major New York hospital, told the Daily Mail that phthalates—plasticizers often used to make soft gel capsules flexible—can enter the body, irritate arteries, and trigger inflammation, making it harder for blood to flow and heightening the risk of heart disease and cardiac events. This revelation is backed by a growing body of research suggesting a connection between the widespread use of phthalates in medications and increased cardiovascular threats.

A prominent New York cardiologist has sounded the alarm on a silent risk lurking in the medication cabinets of millions: phthalates—chemicals used to make soft gel capsules—may significantly increase the risk of heart attacks, according to new research and expert warning. This revelation, which directly affects commonly used medications such as pain relievers, multivitamins, stool softeners, and cold remedies, is poised to raise concern among medicine users globally and in Thailand, where health awareness continues to rise and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals remain readily accessible.

A landmark international study has revealed that phthalates—a class of chemicals widely used in common household plastics—may be responsible for more than 350,000 deaths from heart disease around the world in a single year. The research specifically identifies di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a primary plasticizer in consumer products ranging from food packaging to personal care items, as a significant contributor to cardiovascular mortality, marking an urgent public health concern for both global and Thai communities (CNN, Washington Post, NYU Langone).

A recent global study has raised alarm about the widespread use of phthalates—common chemicals found in everyday plastics—linking them to hundreds of thousands of heart disease deaths worldwide. The research, published this week in the journal eBioMedicine by a team at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, estimates that in 2018, phthalate exposure contributed to 350,000 cardiovascular deaths, particularly among adults aged 55 to 64 years old. This translates to approximately 13% of heart disease deaths in that age group, underscoring the potential public health threat posed by chemicals commonly used in food packaging, toiletries, toys, and household products [NYTimes].

A wave of new research is sending shockwaves through the pediatric and parenting communities worldwide, revealing that many babies and young children may be routinely exposed to harmful chemicals while they sleep—potentially threatening their brain development. Studies published by the University of Toronto, widely reported by leading outlets such as Medical Xpress, CNN, and NDTV, found that children’s mattresses often emit worrying quantities of phthalates, flame retardants, and other substances linked to a host of neurological and developmental disorders, triggering calls from scientists for urgent action by manufacturers and regulators (MedicalXpress, CNN, NDTV).

A recent Canadian study has sounded a global alarm by revealing that millions of children’s mattresses—commonplace items in bedrooms around the world, including Thailand—may be leaching hazardous chemicals linked to brain damage during sleep. Experts are now urging urgent action from parents and regulators everywhere, highlighting the dangers posed by flame retardants and phthalates found in these products, even as manufacturers claim compliance with safety standards (Daily Mail).

This discovery matters deeply to Thai families because a significant proportion of children and infants in the kingdom spend roughly one-third of their lives sleeping, a period critical for both brain health and overall development. Culturally, Thai parents take great care to provide safe, peaceful sleeping environments—sometimes including traditional practices such as “luk khoon” (rocking the baby to sleep) and being careful about bedding materials. Yet, research reveals not all mattresses are as safe as they appear, especially when manufactured with chemicals regulated only loosely in Thailand and many other countries.