Nearly a decade ago, a move by consumer plastics manufacturers to replace a chemical known as DEHP from their products was seen as a big step taken towards health safety of public. The chemical, a probable human carcinogen, was learnt to have a number of negative health effects. However, a new study has now revealed that replacement chemicals are no different from DEHP as have the similar negative effects.

Published in the journal Hypertension, the study has linked the chemicals to high blood pressure. The two replacement chemicals -- DINP and DIDP -– were also found having an association with insulin resistance by another study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

“These data raise substantial concerns about similar health effects due to chemicals used to replace DEHP under the presumption that they don’t have the same, or different, adverse health effects”, said study author Leonardo Trasande, a professor at New York University. Clearly there’s a need for further research.

For the study, the researchers analyzed urine and blood samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers determined that high levels of the chemicals are linked to both insulin resistance and blood pressure.

Trasande said the study calls for radical changes in the way chemicals are tested, so that action can be taken proactively to ensure safety of public health. Such chemicals are needed to be eliminated with alacrity and consumers are advised to avoid heating plastics in the microwave and give up the habit of throwing away scratched plastic containers to curb contamination of food, Trasande added.