India, May 5 -- Chemicals found in everyday plastic products have long been known to pose health risks-but new research reveals an even more alarming picture. A 2018 estimate linked 356,000 heart disease deaths to plastic-related chemical exposure. Now, a recent study published in The Lancet eBioMedicine provides fresh evidence that phthalates-a group of chemicals commonly used in plastics-may be contributing to a growing global health crisis. Also read | Is plastic usage hazardous for kidneys? Doctors weigh in

Phthalates are present in a wide range of household items, including cosmetics, cleaning products, plastic pipes, solvents, and even bug repellents. Though valued in manufacturing for making plastics more flexible and durable, the...