{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000067","name":"Cling Wrap / Food Film (PVC Type with DEHA Plasticizer)","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"food_storage","tags":["cling wrap","PVC","DEHA","plasticizer","food contact migration"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","description":"PVC-based cling wrap (plastic film) containing DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate) plasticizer to maintain flexibility. DEHA migrates into food, especially fatty foods (cheese, meat, butter) and at elevated temperatures (microwave). Migration rates of 15-150 mg/kg food have been measured in fatty foods. DEHA is a suspected endocrine disruptor. PVC itself releases vinyl chloride monomer (VCM, IARC Group 1 carcinogen) in trace amounts. PVDC (Saran-type) and LDPE wraps are lower-risk alternatives. Commercial food service wrap is more commonly PVC than household retail wrap.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.648,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.15,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"critical_concern":"DEHA plasticizer (20-35% of PVC cling wrap by weight) migrates into fatty foods at 15-150 mg/kg food. Microwave heating accelerates migration by 5-10x. DEHA is a suspected endocrine disruptor. PVC itself may release trace vinyl chloride monomer (VCM, IARC Group 1 carcinogen). Commercial food service uses PVC wrap extensively — consumers purchasing deli items receive food already wrapped in PVC.","key_hazards":["DEHA plasticizer migration into fatty foods (15-150 mg/kg)","Microwave heating accelerates plasticizer migration 5-10x","PVC releases trace vinyl chloride monomer (IARC Group 1)","Commercial food service PVC wrap — consumer has no choice in deli/restaurant settings"],"overall_risk":"moderate-high","primary_concerns":["Plasticizer migration","Endocrine disruption (DEHA)","Carcinogen trace exposure (VCM)"],"sensitive_populations":"children, pregnant women, individuals with high dietary fat intake","exposure_routes":"oral (via food contamination)"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_indirect"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"acute","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Wrapping fatty foods (cheese, butter, deli meat) — direct contact migration","Microwave heating with cling wrap touching food — accelerated DEHA migration","Covering hot leftovers — condensation carries plasticizer to food surface","Commercial food service: PVC wrap on deli counters, restaurant prep"],"notes":"Migration is highest in: fatty foods > acidic foods > neutral foods. Microwave heating dramatically accelerates migration. Commercial food service wrap is typically PVC (not LDPE)."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Recycling symbol #3 (PVC/V)","meaning":"Contains PVC with plasticizer — higher migration risk than LDPE (#4)","action":"Choose LDPE (#4) or PE wrap instead"},{"indicator":"Very clingy/stretchy wrap","meaning":"High cling = high plasticizer content (likely PVC with DEHA)","action":"Less clingy wraps are typically LDPE with lower plasticizer migration"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Labeled as 'PVC-free' or 'LDPE'","meaning":"Lower plasticizer migration risk","verification":"Check recycling symbol — #4 (LDPE) is preferred over #3 (PVC)"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What type of wrap does the deli/restaurant use?","why_it_matters":"Most commercial food service wrap is PVC — rewrap in LDPE or transfer to glass container at home"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"LDPE (polyethylene) cling wrap","notes":"No PVC or DEHA; lower migration; less clingy but safer"},{"name":"Beeswax wraps","notes":"Reusable; natural; no plastic or plasticizer"},{"name":"Glass containers with lids","notes":"Zero migration; microwave-safe; reusable"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR 177.1580 (Polycarbonate resins) and 178.3740 (Plasticizers)","citation":null,"requirements":"DEHA is FDA-approved for food contact. PVC food contact articles must comply with extraction/migration limits.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Plastic Food Contact Materials)","citation":null,"requirements":"Specific migration limit (SML) for DEHA: 18 mg/kg food. VCM: 0.01 mg/kg food (detection limit).","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"Japan","regulation":"Japan Food Sanitation Act","citation":null,"requirements":"PVC wrap for food must meet migration limits. Japan largely phased out PVC food wrap in favor of PVDC and PE.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"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":"Plasticizer type (DEHA vs DEHP vs DINP) not required on label in most jurisdictions","notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":"US does not require labeling of plasticizer type on food wrap. Consumers cannot distinguish PVC from LDPE wrap without checking recycling symbol (#3 PVC vs #4 LDPE). Commercial food service PVC wrap is invisible to end consumer.","notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"PVC cling wrap is not recyclable in most municipal systems. Dispose in landfill waste.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single_use"},"formulation":{"form":"solid_film","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000686","name":"Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer","role":"base_polymer","concentration_pct":"60-75"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000637","name":"DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate)","role":"plasticizer","concentration_pct":"20-35"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO)","role":"co-plasticizer_stabilizer","concentration_pct":"2-8"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[{"material_id":null,"concern":"DEHA plasticizer migrates into fatty foods at 15-150 mg/kg; suspected endocrine disruptor","compounds_of_concern":["DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate)"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":null,"concern":"PVC releases trace vinyl chloride monomer (VCM, IARC Group 1 carcinogen)","compounds_of_concern":["Vinyl chloride monomer"],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[{"material_id":"hq-m-str-000004","material_name":"LDPE (low-density polyethylene) cling wrap","why_preferred":"No PVC, no phthalate/adipate plasticizers; lower migration","tradeoffs":"Less clingy; does not seal as tightly","hq_id":"hq-m-str-000004"},{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Beeswax wraps (reusable)","why_preferred":"No plastic or plasticizer; natural food contact","tradeoffs":"Cannot be used with raw meat; melts in heat; higher cost"},{"material_id":"hq-m-str-000014","material_name":"Glass or stainless steel containers with lids","why_preferred":"Inert food contact; no chemical migration","tradeoffs":"Bulkier; heavier; more expensive","hq_id":"hq-m-str-000014"}]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000686","compound_name":"Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer","role":"base_polymer","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000637","compound_name":"DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate)","role":"plasticizer","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["cling wrap","plastic wrap","food film","cling film","saran wrap"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Leading household cling wrap (LDPE transition)"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Store-brand cling wrap"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Kitchen Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Commercial food service wrap (PVC)"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA 21 CFR 177.1580 (Polycarbonate resins) and 178.3740 (Plasticizers)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_39296cbe"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Plastic Food Contact Materials)","jurisdiction":"EU","id":"src_121a318b"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Japan Food Sanitation Act","jurisdiction":"Japan","id":"src_1265373b"},{"id":"src_001","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID5025940","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID5025940","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000686"},{"id":"src_002","type":"reference","title":"ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 9002-86-2","url":"https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiledocs/index.html","notes":"Toxicological profile and health effects summary","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000686"},{"type":"monograph","title":"International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)","jurisdiction":"International","id":"src_d9ebbaf2","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:23:15.126Z"}}