Recent research highlights the significant economic consequences of exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), a chemical commonly used to make plastics more flexible, particularly in relation to heart disease.
DEHP is prevalent in a wide array of everyday items, including food containers, medical equipment, toys, and personal care products like shampoos and lotions. Exposure to this chemical has been linked to inflammation in the heart's arteries, which can elevate the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
A 2025 study published in The Lancet eBioMedicine and conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health investigated the global impact of DEHP. Analyzing data from over 200 countries and territories, the study found that in 2018, DEHP exposure was associated with approximately 356,238 deaths from heart disease in individuals aged 55 to 64. This figure represents over 13% of all global heart disease deaths within that age group for that year.
The financial toll of these DEHP-related deaths is staggering. Estimates of the economic impact range significantly, from $10.2 billion to $3.74 trillion annually in one study, and a more specific estimate of $510 billion in another, potentially reaching as high as $3.7 trillion. These costs encompass healthcare expenditures, lost wages, and the broader societal impact of premature mortality. For instance, one analysis focusing on the US population aged 55 to 64 estimated that DEHP exposure led to 90,761–107,283 attributable deaths per year, resulting in $39.9–$47.1 billion in lost economic productivity annually. Another study looking at 2015 data linked DEHP exposure in the 55-64 age group to about 164,000 deaths and economic losses of $398 billion.
The burden of DEHP exposure and its consequences is not evenly distributed globally. Regions like Asia (particularly South and East Asia), the Middle East, and the Pacific experience a disproportionately high impact, accounting for roughly three-fourths of the estimated deaths. India, for example, recorded the highest number of DEHP-attributable heart disease deaths globally in the 2018 study, with an estimated 103,587 fatalities in the 55-64 age group. This is attributed to factors such as the rapid expansion of its plastics industry, widespread use of products containing DEHP, and potentially weaker regulatory controls compared to some other nations. While countries like Canada, Japan, Australia, and the United States began addressing these concerns earlier, efforts in major plastic-producing and consuming nations like China and India started later.
Beyond heart disease, DEHP exposure has also been associated with other health problems, including obesity, diabetes, fertility issues, and cancer, further contributing to its overall economic and societal burden. The breakdown of DEHP in the body can lead to hormonal disruptions and impaired metabolism.
This growing body of evidence underscores the urgent need for greater public awareness, more robust global regulations to reduce exposure to DEHP, and continued research into the full scope of its health and economic impacts.