Two substitute chemicals for DEHP in plastic have been found to have same negative effects on health what they replaced had. The chemicals DINP and DIDP (di-isononyl and di-isodecyl, respectively) were used to replace DEHP in plastic products nearly a decade ago after it was learnt that the latter was linked to hypertension.

The urine samples of more than 1,300 adolescents between the ages of 8 and 19 were analyzed by researchers for the study, which linked DINP and DIDP to blood pressure.

Another study of 356 teens showed that these two chemicals increase the risk of insulin resistance. Both the studies have linked the chemicals used in packaging plastics to hypertension and diabetes.

"Alternatives to DIDP and DINP include wax paper and aluminum wrap; indeed, a dietary intervention that introduced fresh foods that were not canned or packaged in plastic reduced phthalate metabolites substantially", the study showed.

Dr. Leonardo Trasande, lead author and the New York University Langone Medical Center associate professor of pediatrics, environmental medicine, and population health, says that their research has given a clarion message that environmental chemicals have a great potential to cause insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and other metabolic disorders.

The researchers have suggested the people should limit their exposure to plastic products containing these chemicals till the time they are eliminated. Plastics marked with 3, 6, and 7 are needed to be avoided and people should go for fresh food rather than packaged ones. Also, they must refrain from putting plastic containers in the microwave or dishwasher as they get conducive conditions there to leech chemicals.