A common chemical, Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), found in cosmetics, food packaging, and medical supplies, is linked to a surge in heart attacks, causing over 350,000 fatal heart disease cases annually. This “forever chemical” poses a growing public health threat, according to new research.

Published in eBiomedicine, the study reveals that DEHP, a plastic-softening agent, is particularly dangerous in rapidly industrializing nations with high plastic use. Its widespread presence in consumer products amplifies exposure, disrupting cardiovascular health on a massive scale.

The research underscores how DEHP exacerbates heart risks, especially for aging populations already burdened by obesity, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles. The chemical’s persistence in the environment and body makes it a formidable contributor to the global rise in heart disease.

As countries grapple with the consequences of heavy plastic reliance, the findings call for urgent action to regulate DEHP and reduce its use. Public health advocates warn that without intervention, the chemical’s impact on heart attack rates could worsen, straining healthcare systems worldwide.

Naturalnews.com reports: Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a phthalate, a chemical additive used to make plastics pliable, durable, and long-lasting. Found in consumer products ranging from perfumes and nail polish to IV bags and PVC pipes, DEHP has long been known to disrupt hormones and fertility. Now, it’s increasingly tied to cardiovascular harm. The new analysis, led by New York University researchers, estimates DEHP exposure contributed to 12% of U.S. cardiovascular deaths in 2018—approximately 10,237 fatalities—alongside 316,916 lost years of life. Globally, heart disease deaths tied to DEHP hit 356,238 annually, with India bearing the highest burden at over 103,000 deaths.

How DEHP harms the heart

DEHP’s cardiovascular risks stem from its ability to trigger inflammation in arteries, which narrows blood flow and strains the heart. Over time, this chronic inflammation increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis, a dangerous buildup of plaque that raises heart attack and stroke risk.

Laura Vandenberg, a University of Massachusetts environmental health scientist, explained that DEHP acts as an “obesogen,” promoting weight gain, and increases oxidative stress—a condition linked to cell damage. Both mechanisms elevate heart disease risks, compounding existing threats like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Everyday exposures and consumer risks

DEHP laces countless products, from fragranced cosmetics (present in three-quarters of scented personal care items) to food packaging and medical supplies. Women are disproportionately exposed due to their higher use of scented lotions, sprays, and hair products. Nursing mothers transfer DEHP to infants via breast milk, and the chemical’s presence in PVC pipes contaminates drinking water.

The study identified diet as a primary exposure route, with DEHP leaching into food from plastic wraps or containers. Judith Enck of Beyond Plastics warns that millions ingest DEHP through water flowing through aging PVC pipes, urging cities to replace lead water pipes with copper, not more plastic.

In the U.S., at least nine phthalates—including DEHP—remain permitted in cosmetics. California has flagged DEHP under Prop 65 for its links to cancer and reproductive harm, but federal oversight remains inconsistent.

DEHP’s harm extends beyond the heart. A recent Karolinska Institutet study found that even low DEHP doses altered ovarian follicle counts and progesterone levels in female mice, risking fertility. These effects were more pronounced than estrous cycle disruptions typically monitored in safety assessments.