{"hq_id":"hq-p-chd-000089","name":"Children's Dental Floss (PFAS-Coated, Flavored)","category":{"primary":"children","secondary":"oral_care","tags":["dental floss","PFAS","PTFE","Glide","children","fluorinated"]},"product_tier":"CHD","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"PTFE-based (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) dental floss marketed to children with candy flavors and character branding. PTFE is a perfluorinated polymer that can release PFAS compounds during use — a 2019 study in JOEM found Oral-B Glide users had significantly higher blood PFAS levels. Children's versions add artificial flavors, sweeteners, and dyes to encourage use. The floss slides between teeth and across gingival tissue, creating direct PFAS transfer to highly absorptive oral mucosa. Flavored coatings dissolve in saliva and are swallowed.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.86,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.265,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"CHD tier product","compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-03-27","synthesis_version":"1.0.0"},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"infants, children","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["PTFE/PFAS transfer to oral mucosa — 2019 study showed elevated serum PFAS in Glide users; PFAS are endocrine disruptors linked to thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects; 'forever chemicals' bioaccumulate"],"exposure_routes":"Direct PFAS transfer to gingival tissue and interdental mucosa; Ingestion of dissolved flavor coating and PFAS particles with saliva; Sublingual absorption of PFAS compounds during flossing"},"exposure":{"users":["infant","child"],"routes":["inhalation","oral"],"contact_types":["inhalation","oral_direct"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Oral/ingestion exposure during use of Children's Dental Floss (PFAS-Coated, Flavored)","Inhalation exposure during use of Children's Dental Floss (PFAS-Coated, Flavored)","Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children"],"notes":"Exposure to Children's Dental Floss (PFAS-Coated, Flavored) occurs via inhalation, oral. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling)."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"PTFE (Glide-type) dental floss has been linked to elevated blood PFAS levels. PFAS are persistent endocrine disruptors that bioaccumulate. Choose PFAS-free floss alternatives, especially for children whose developing systems are more vulnerable.","safer_alternatives":["Natural silk floss (candelilla wax-coated)","Nylon floss (non-PTFE, uncoated)","Water flosser / oral irrigator (no floss chemicals)","Hydroxyapatite-coated floss (PFAS-free, remineralizing)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) 2008","citation":"15 U.S.C. 2051-2089","requirements":"Lead content limited to 100 ppm in children's products. Six phthalates permanently banned (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIBP, DPENP) in children's toys and child care articles. Third-party testing and certification required.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2008-08-14","enforcing_agency":"CPSC","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"16 CFR Part 1501 — Small Parts Regulation","citation":"16 CFR 1501","requirements":"Products intended for children under 3 must not contain small parts that pose choking hazards.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"CPSC","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC","citation":"Directive 2009/48/EC","requirements":"EN 71 compliance required. Migration limits for 19 elements. CMR substance restrictions. REACH SVHC reporting for >0.1% w/w.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2011-07-20","enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5-25249.13","requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals above safe harbor levels require clear and reasonable warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"CPSIA","issuer":"CPSC","standard":"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act","scope":"Lead, phthalate content limits for children's products"},{"name":"ASTM F963","issuer":"ASTM International","standard":"Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety","scope":"Mechanical, flammability, chemical hazards"},{"name":"EN 71","issuer":"CEN","standard":"Safety of Toys (Parts 1-13)","scope":"EU toy safety directive covering mechanical, flammability, chemical migration"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Donate if reusable; check local recycling for hard plastics; landfill for worn items","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"1-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"floss/flosser","key_ingredients":["PTFE fiber (PFAS-releasing polymer)","Flavor/dye coating"],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000018","compound_name":"PFAS (total) — EPA 2024 drinking water HAL group","role":"PFAS release from PTFE polymer","typical_concentration":"detectable PFAS transfer per use"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000190","compound_name":"Saccharin","role":"Flavor coating sweetener","typical_concentration":"coating"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000094","compound_name":"Propylene glycol","role":"Flavor carrier","typical_concentration":"coating"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["children's dental floss (pfas-coated, flavored)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Oral-B Glide Kids Floss","manufacturer":"Unknown","market_position":"mass_market","notable":""},{"brand":"Plackers Kids Dual Gripz","manufacturer":"Unknown","market_position":"mass_market","notable":""},{"brand":"Reach Kids Waxed Floss","manufacturer":"Unknown","market_position":"mass_market","notable":""}],"sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) 2008 (15 U.S.C. 2051-2089)","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2008,"citation":"15 U.S.C. 2051-2089","id":"src_9d01b546"},{"type":"regulation","title":"16 CFR Part 1501 — Small Parts Regulation (16 CFR 1501)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"16 CFR 1501","id":"src_3e241b80"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC","jurisdiction":"EU","year":2011,"citation":"Directive 2009/48/EC","id":"src_6c59b098"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65 (CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5-25249.13)","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5-25249.13","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"epa_pfas_mcl_2024","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFAS — Final Rule (April 2024): Individual MCLs for PFOA/PFOS (4 ppt), PFNA/PFHxS/HFPO-DA (10 ppt), and Hazard Index for PFAS Mixtures","year":2024,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000018"},{"id":"iarc_135_pfas","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 135: Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Its Salts and Other Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances — PFAS Carcinogenicity Framework, Group 1 Evidence, and Regulatory Context (2023)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000018"},{"id":"fda_saccharin_gras_2010","type":"regulatory","title":"US FDA: Saccharin — GRAS Affirmation (2010), History of Proposed Bans, NTP Delisting (2000), ADI 5 mg/kg bw/day, and Current Regulatory Status in US Food Supply (2022)","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000190"},{"id":"ntp_saccharin_delisting_2000","type":"regulatory","title":"US National Toxicology Program: Saccharin Removal from Report on Carcinogens (2000) — Rat Bladder Mechanism Human Non-Relevance, Extensive Human Epidemiology Data, and Prop 65 Delisting (2001)","year":2000,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000190"},{"id":"fda_pg_cat_food_ban","type":"regulatory","title":"US FDA: Propylene Glycol in Animal Food — Final Rule Prohibiting Use in Cat Food (21 CFR 582.4666) and GRAS Status for Dog Food","year":1996,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000094"},{"id":"aspca_apcc_pg","type":"veterinary","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Propylene Glycol — Heinz Body Anemia Risk in Cats and Species Differences in Erythrocyte Sensitivity","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000094"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-01T19:28:33.308Z"}}