Men with higher concentrations of total phthalates had a greater risk for CVD, type 2 diabetes and high BP, according to a study published in Environmental Research.

“[Noncommunicable diseases] are often associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, and the proinflammatory effects of phthalates have recently been a focus of attention... Continuous exposure to phthalates may be proinflammatory, with the potential to interact with other risk factors worsening [noncommunicable disease] outcomes,” Peter Y. Bai, from the University of Adelaide in Australia, and colleagues wrote. “However, epidemiological studies in the area are limited.”