This super common chemical was just linked to 356,238 deaths — and you almost certainly have it in your home

Some tough news to take to heart.

A shocking new study suggests that common chemicals found in a wide range of everyday plastic products may have contributed to 356,238 heart disease deaths worldwide in just one year.

“Our findings add to the vast body of evidence that these chemicals present a tremendous danger to human health,” said Sara Hyman, BS, lead study author and an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Phthalates are chemicals lurking in everything from cosmetics and personal care products to building materials and cleaning supplies. 

For decades, studies have shown that when these sneaking substances break down into tiny particles and make their way into our bodies, they can increase the risk of serious health issues, ranging from obesity and diabetes to fertility problems and cancer.

Phthalates have also been shown to potentially interfere with children’s brain development, leading to learning difficulties, as well as attention and behavioral disorders.

What did the study find?

The new study, led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, puts the spotlight on one especially common phthalate: di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate — or DEHP for short.

This chemical is used to make food containers, medical equipment and other plastic goods softer and more flexible. It’s also commonly used in perfumes, air fresheners and other fragrances to make scents stick around longer. 

“​​Exposure has been shown in other studies to prompt an overactive immune response (inflammation) in the heart’s arteries, which, over time, is associated with increased risk of heart attack or stroke,” Hyman told The Post.

“Our analysis quantifies this relationship globally, to illustrate the risks of exposure to these chemicals,” he added.

Researchers sifted through health and environmental data from dozens of surveys on DEHP exposure across 200 countries and territories. They also analyzed mortality stats from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a US-based research group that tracks global public health trends.

The findings were stark: DEHP exposure contributed to more than 13% of all heart disease deaths worldwide in 2018 among people aged 55 through 64.

As for the price tag, researchers estimate the economic toll from these deaths was about $510 billion, with some projections climbing as high as $3.74 trillion.

Who’s hit the hardest?

While the chemicals are used extensively around the globe, the study found that regions like the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific were hit the hardest, accounting for about three-fourths of the total deaths.

India had the highest death toll at 103,587 fatalities, followed by China and Indonesia.

One possible explanation, the authors said, is that these countries experience higher rates of exposure to these chemicals, possibly due to a boom in plastic production paired with fewer manufacturing restrictions than in other regions.

“Plastics, and the chemicals inside them, pose a risk to human health, but these risks are not unavoidable,” Hyman said. 

“Regulations which limit the amount of phthalates in products and limiting personal plastic consumption can help to lower the amounts of these chemicals in our environment, and in our bodies,” he added. 

Hyman noted that the study wasn’t designed to prove DEHP alone caused heart disease — and the analysis didn’t factor in other phthalates or deaths outside the 55-to-64 age range.

That means the true death toll tied to these chemicals is likely even higher, he warned.

Next up, the research team plans to study how cutting phthalate exposure might reduce death rates and take a closer look at other health hazards linked to the chemicals, like preterm birth.

How to avoid dangerous phthalates

Phthalates are practically everywhere — in your shampoo, your takeout, your couch cushions — and yes, even in you. In fact, some studies show that nearly every American has traces of these chemicals in their body. 

The good news: there are simple actions you can take to cut down on your exposure, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). 

Start by reading the fine print. If products list phthalates or just the vague catch-all “fragrance” in their ingredients, it’s best to skip it.

Be cautious in the kitchen, too. Reheating food or beverages in plastic containers that may contain phthalates can cause the chemicals to leach into your meal.

You might also want to rethink that trip to the drive-thru. A 2016 study found that fast food lovers had significantly higher phthalate exposure, likely thanks to all the plastics used in processing and packaging these items. 

Additionally, smarter shopping makes a difference. Keep an eye out for the “EWG VERIFIED” mark when  shampoo, cleaners and even diapers — it means the product is free of phthalates. 

You can also check out the EWG’s Skin Deep database and Guide to Healthy Cleaning to find personal care and cleaning products that don’t contain phthalates, undisclosed fragrances and other harmful chemicals.