Chemicals in everyday products linked to early death. Here’s how to reduce your risk

A group of chemicals called phthalates which can be found in daily use products like makeup or plastic containers has been linked to 100,000 deaths in older Americans annually, in a study from New York University.

Found in hundreds of products such as shampoo, detergents, makeup, perfume and children’s toys, phthalates have been known to be ‘hormone disruptors’ for decades. The new research says that people with the highest levels of phthalates had a greater risk of death from any cause, especially cardiovascular mortality.

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Peer-reviewed in the journal Environmental Pollution, the study explained that the man-made chemicals have been linked with developmental, reproductive, brain, immune, and other problems. However, the new findings show that the toll of phthalates on society is much greater than previously thought.

Also called ‘everywhere chemicals’ due to their omnipresence, phthalates help make plastic more flexible and harder to break and make fragrances last longer in personal care products.

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Speaking to CNN, the study's lead author Dr Leonardo Trasande shared a few ways to reduce your phthalates exposure:

• Use fragrance-free personal products and cleaning supplies
• Switch to glass, stainless steel, ceramic or wooden containers for food storage
• Stick to fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables rather than canned or processed kinds
• Wash your hands frequently to remove chemicals from your hands