New Delhi, May 2 -- A recent study published in The Lancet eBioMedicine has identified a significant link between exposure to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) - a chemical commonly used to make plastics more flexible - and heart disease deaths.

Among the 200 countries evaluated, India had the highest burden of DEHP-linked cardiovascular deaths and accounted for almost a third of the global mortalities.

DEHP is prevalent in numerous household items, including food containers, medical equipment, toys, shampoos and lotions.

The study, conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health, analysed urine samples and environmental data from over 200 countries and territories. They found that in 2018, DEHP exposure was associated with around 356,2...