Of concern are the findings of a study published yesterday, Tuesday (13/10), according to which the presence of chemical components, known as phthalates, in plastic items used to wrap food or everyday objects (food containers, clothes, cosmetics, toys…) may cause them premature deaths of 100,000 Americans aged 55 to 64 each year.
Phthalates are thought to cause severe endocrine disordersHowever, it has not yet been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between exposure to these products and deaths from cardiovascular disease or cancer in the United States, according to a study by Grosman School of Medicine at New York University. which was published in the scientific review Environmental Polution.
The researchers analyzed the effects of exposure to phthalates in a population of 5,303 adults over 20 years. The study and biological tests (mainly urine samples) of the participants were performed from 2001 to 2010 and were compared with the mortality statistics until the end of 2015. The analysis of the data was done in July 2020, according to the APE-MPE.
What do experts say about phthalates in plastics
Comparing the results “with the age range between 55 and 64 years of the American population, we identified from 90,761 to 107,283 deaths that could be attributed” to the exposure to phthalates, the study explains. The conclusion is that “The highest exposure to phthalates is associated with premature death, especially from heart disease”, according to one of the study ‘s authors, Leonardo Tracad.
“Until now we understood that chemicals cause cardiovascular disease, which is one of the leading causes of death. “But we did not directly link these chemicals to mortality.”
How much do these premature deaths cost in the US?
The study includes an estimate of the financial costs of these premature deaths on USA in terms of lost productivity: fluctuates “From $ 39.9 to $ 47.1 billion a year”, the researchers concluded.
“Other research should confirm these findings and identify the mechanisms” by which phthalates are harmful to health, but “regulators need to act urgently” to reduce exposure to these chemicals, its authors suggest. study at New York University.
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