Synthetic chemical in consumer products linked to premature death

Potentially toxic substances found in cosmetics 0:53

(CNN) -

Synthetic chemicals called phthalates, found in hundreds of consumer products, such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfumes and children's toys, can contribute to between 91,000 and 107,000 premature deaths a year. Among 55-64-year-olds in the United States, a new study found.

People with the highest levels of phthalates had a higher risk of death from any cause, especially cardiovascular mortality, according to the study published Tuesday in the peer-

reviewed

journal

.

The study estimated that those deaths could cost the United States between $ 40 and $ 47 billion each year in lost economic productivity.

"This study adds to the growing database on the impact of plastics on the human body and strengthens the commercial and public health cases for reducing or eliminating the use of plastics," said lead author Dr. Leonardo Trasande. , professor of pediatrics and environmental medicine and population health at NYU Langone Health in New York City.

Phthalates are known to interfere with the body's mechanism for hormone production, known as the endocrine system, and are "linked to developmental, reproductive, brain, immune and other problems," according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (NIEHS).

Even small hormonal alterations can cause "significant developmental and biological effects," states the NIEHS.

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Previous research has linked phthalates to reproductive problems, such as genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys, and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult men.

Previous studies have also linked phthalates to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular problems, and cancer.

"These chemicals have a history," said Trasande, who also directs NYU Langone's Center for Environmental Hazard Research.

"And the fact is, when you look at the entire body of evidence, it shows a disturbing pattern."

The American Chemistry Council (ACC), which represents the U.S. chemicals, plastics, and chlorine industries, shared this statement with CNN via email:

"Much of the content in the latest Trasande et al. Study is demonstrably inaccurate," wrote Eileen Conneely, ACC's senior director of chemicals and technology.

He added that the study grouped all phthalates into one group and did not mention that the industry says high molecular weight phthalates like DINP and DIDP have lower toxicity than other phthalates.

"Studies like these do not consider all phthalates individually and systematically ignore or downplay the existence of reliable science-based conclusions regarding the safety of high molecular weight phthalates," Conneely wrote.

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'Chemicals everywhere'

Often called "chemicals in everything" because they are so common, phthalates are added to consumer products such as PVC plumbing, vinyl flooring, rain and stain resistant products, medical tubing, garden hoses, and some garden toys. children to make the plastic more flexible and harder to break.

Other common exposures come from the use of phthalates in food packaging, detergents, clothing, furniture, and automotive plastics.

Phthalates are also added to personal care items such as shampoo, soap, hairspray, and cosmetics to make fragrances last longer.

People are exposed when they breathe polluted air or eat or drink food that came in contact with plastic, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Children crawl and touch a lot of things, then put their hands to their mouths. Due to this hand-to-mouth behavior, the phthalate particles in the powder can pose a greater risk to children than to adults." states the CDC.

'A snapshot in time'

The new study measured urine phthalate concentrations in more than 5,000 adults between the ages of 55 and 64 and compared those levels with the risk of premature death over an average of 10 years, Trasande said.

The researchers monitored for pre-existing heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other common conditions, poor eating habits, physical activity and body mass, and levels of other hormone disruptors known as bisphenol A or BPA, he said.

"However, I'm never going to tell you that this is a definitive study," Trasande told CNN.

"It is a snapshot in time and can only show one association."

Learning exactly how phthalates can affect the body requires a gold standard double-blind randomized clinical trial, he said.

However, that study will never be done, he added, "because we cannot ethically randomize people to be exposed to potentially toxic chemicals."

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"But we already know that phthalates interfere with the male sex hormone, testosterone, which is a predictor of cardiovascular disease in adults. And we already know that these exposures can contribute to multiple conditions associated with mortality, such as obesity and diabetes." Trasande said.

The chemical BPA has also been linked to abnormalities in the reproductive systems of baby boys and subsequent infertility problems in adult men, as well as obesity, heart disease, cancer, and premature death from any cause.

The synthetic compound was previously found in most bottles, baby cups and infant formula containers until parents boycotted those products more than a decade ago.

The FDA banned the use of the chemical in bottles and sippy cups in 2012.

It's possible to minimize your exposure to phthalates and other endocrine disruptors like BPA, which can still be found in the linings of canned goods and paper receipts, Trasande said.

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"First, avoid plastics as much as you can. Never put plastic containers in the microwave or dishwasher, where heat can break down the coating so they are more easily absorbed," he suggested.

"Additionally, cooking at home and reducing the use of processed foods can lower levels of exposure to chemicals you come in contact with."

Here are other tips to reduce your exposure and that of your family:

• Use unscented lotions and laundry detergents.

• Use odor-free cleaning supplies.

• Use glass, stainless steel, ceramic, or wood to contain and store food.

• Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned and processed versions.

• Encourage frequent hand washing to remove chemicals from hands.

• Avoid air fresheners and all plastics labeled No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7

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