#Plastics

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 large international study links a common plastic additive, DEHP, to hundreds of thousands of heart disease deaths worldwide in a single year. The research identifies DEHP, a primary plasticizer used to make plastics flexible, as a significant contributor to cardiovascular death. This finding is particularly relevant for Thailand, where plastic use is high in everyday life.

In Thailand, people regularly encounter phthalates through food packaging, cosmetics, cleaning products, and children’s toys. With heart disease already a leading health concern in the country, understanding environmental risk factors is crucial for families and health officials alike. Thailand’s health data show heart disease remains a major cause of mortality, underscoring the need to scrutinize exposure sources and protective measures.

A global study links common plastic chemicals, known as phthalates, to hundreds of thousands of heart disease deaths worldwide. Published in eBioMedicine, the researchers estimate that in 2018 phthalate exposure contributed to about 350,000 cardiovascular deaths, with the majority among adults aged 55 to 64. The findings highlight a potential public health threat from substances found in food packaging, toiletries, toys, and many household products.

For Thailand, the study resonates amid rapid industrialization, widespread consumption of processed foods, and rising plastic waste. Thai health experts note that environmental pollutants and non-communicable diseases are national priorities, making any potential chemical exposure a concern for millions of households.

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 mounting wave of scientific warnings highlights a hidden danger: microplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than five millimeters—are showing up in ordinary products, food, and water. Research warns that exposure can occur after a single use, prompting both policy scrutiny and personal vigilance in Thailand as urban life embraces takeout culture and packaged goods.

Microplastics have infiltrated daily life, appearing in air, water, and food. Data from the U.S. National Ocean Service show they originate from the breakdown of larger plastics, wear from synthetic fibers, and microbeads once used in cosmetics. Despite steps to curb the problem, including bans on microbeads, microplastics remain a rising health and environmental concern. Thailand is not immune, as packaging sectors and consumer habits intersect with rising plastic pollution.

A wave of urgent scientific warnings has gripped international health and environmental communities as researchers uncover the pervasive contamination of everyday products with “invisible” microplastics—tiny particles of plastic less than five millimeters in size that can easily enter food and drinking water, impacting people after just a single use. This silent invasion, previously believed to be a concern mainly with overused or degraded plastic items, is now recognized as an immediate health issue, requiring both policy responses and personal vigilance, including here in Thailand (Yahoo News).