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Plastic Toxins and India’s Silent Health Crisis: A Closer Look at DEHP and Microplastics in Our Daily Lives

A recent global study published in The Lancet’s eBioMedicine journal has revealed a sobering truth: exposure to plastic chemicals, particularly a compound called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is directly linked to a sharp increase in cardiovascular deaths. The research estimates that DEHP exposure contributed to over 103,000 deaths in India alone in 2018—the highest number for any country.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• May 07, 2025

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In recent years, the menace of plastic pollution has often been seen through the lens of environmental degradation—clogged drains, littered beaches, and overflowing landfills. But new scientific evidence is pushing us to reconsider this narrative. Plastic is no longer just an environmental problem; it is a growing public health emergency, and India may be among the worst affected.

A recent global study published in The Lancet’s eBioMedicine journal has revealed a sobering truth: exposure to plastic chemicals, particularly a compound called di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), is directly linked to a sharp increase in cardiovascular deaths. The research, conducted by a team from NYU Langone Health, estimates that DEHP exposure contributed to over 103,000 deaths in India alone in 2018—the highest number for any country.

What Is DEHP and Why Is It Dangerous?

DEHP is a type of phthalate, a group of chemicals widely used to make plastics flexible and durable. These are found in countless everyday products—from food packaging, children’s toys, and medical equipment, to personal care items such as shampoos, lotions, and perfumes.

Although seemingly inert in form, these substances are not chemically bound to the plastic matrix. This means they can leach out easily—into food, water, air, or directly onto human skin. Once inside the body, DEHP has been shown to cause inflammation in the coronary arteries, which over time can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

The study focused on people aged 55–64 and found that globally, phthalates may be responsible for over 13% of all heart disease deaths in this age group in 2018, with India accounting for nearly one-third of that global toll.

Why India Is Especially at Risk

Despite relatively lower per-capita plastic consumption, India is uniquely vulnerable due to several converging factors:

Widespread use of DEHP in industrial and consumer products.

Poorly regulated chemical safety standards, particularly in food packaging and personal care items.

Inadequate waste management infrastructure, which results in plastic waste being dumped, burned, or left to degrade into microplastics—tiny particles that can enter human bodies through air, food, and water.

While nations like Canada, Japan, and the United States started imposing restrictions on DEHP and similar substances as early as 2008, India only recently began regulating DEHP in food-related uses. Enforcement remains limited, and public awareness is still dangerously low.

Microplastics: A Hidden Danger in Your Bloodstream

Adding to the alarm, another study—this time from researchers in South Korea and published in Scientific Reports—has found microplastics in the bloodstream of healthy adults. In this study, blood samples from 36 participants revealed that nearly 89% had detectable levels of microplastic particles, especially polystyrene and polypropylene, commonly found in plastic food containers.

More concerning were the biological effects: elevated levels of fibrinogen, a key blood clotting marker, and C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation. These signs point to a potential risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications from microplastic exposure. The study called for urgent investigation into the long-term effects of these particles, especially in organs like the liver, which plays a central role in regulating blood clotting factors.

Economic and Societal Costs

The health toll is not just measured in lives lost. The economic burden of DEHP-related deaths is staggering, with the global cost estimated between $510 billion and $3.7 trillion. For developing countries like India, where healthcare systems are already strained, the added cost of treating chronic illnesses linked to plastic toxicity could become overwhelming.

Everyday Sources of Exposure

Phthalates and other harmful plastic additives are found in an array of everyday products:

Plastic food storage containers

Packaged and processed foods

Vinyl flooring and plastic toys

Lotions, perfumes, shampoos, and makeup

Cleaning products and air fresheners

Canned food (due to inner plastic linings)

Because these chemicals are often hidden under vague labels like “fragrance” or “preservatives,” avoiding them becomes even more challenging for consumers.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Yourself

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate exposure, experts suggest practical steps individuals can take to reduce risk:

Avoid heating food in plastic containers, especially in microwaves or dishwashers.

Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers for storing food.

Buy fragrance-free personal care and cleaning products.

Skip air fresheners and synthetic scents.

Choose fresh produce over packaged or processed food.

Avoid plastics labeled 3 (PVC), 6 (polystyrene), and 7 (other), which are more likely to contain phthalates.

Wash hands frequently to reduce surface-level contamination.

A Call to Action

This growing body of research signals the need for a paradigm shift in how we view plastics—not just as waste management issues, but as systemic threats to human health. Regulatory bodies in India must act faster and more decisively, especially when it comes to chemical safety standards in consumer goods.

Public education, industrial reform, and stringent enforcement of chemical safety laws must now be seen as a matter of life and death. Without stronger safeguards, India’s reliance on plastic—once seen as a symbol of modern convenience—could continue to exact a heavy and invisible toll on public health.