{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000153","name":"Biodegradable Plastics (PLA/PHA Products)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"materials","tags":["biodegradable","PLA","PHA","compostable","microplastic","greenwashing"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Products made from biodegradable polymers: PLA (polylactic acid, corn starch-derived) and PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates, bacteria-produced). Marketed as 'biodegradable' but PLA only degrades in industrial composting (58C+, specific humidity) — NOT in home compost, landfill, or ocean. PLA in landfill behaves identically to conventional plastic. Fragments into microplastics in marine environments. 'Biodegradable' labeling misleads consumers into littering.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"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":{"sensitive_populations":"environment (microplastic generation)","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["'Biodegradable' does NOT mean marine-degradable or landfill-degradable","PLA fragments into microplastics in marine/freshwater environments","Consumer confusion leading to littering ('it will decompose')","Hot food/beverages exceed PLA thermal stability (softening above 55C)"],"exposure_routes":"Oral (food contact); environmental (microplastic)"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["PLA food containers: minimal migration at room temperature","Hot food/beverages in PLA cups (PLA softens above 55C, increasing migration)","Environmental microplastic generation from incomplete degradation"],"notes":"PLA is GRAS for food contact at temperatures below 55C. Above 55C, PLA softens and migration increases. PLA requires industrial composting infrastructure (58C+, 90% humidity, 180 days) — conditions not met in home compost, landfill, or marine environments. UN Environment 2016: 'biodegradable' plastics do not solve marine pollution."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"PLA only composts in industrial facilities — check if your municipality accepts compostable plastics. Do not litter PLA products. Do not use PLA cups for hot beverages (softens above 55C). 'Biodegradable' ≠ 'environmentally harmless'.","safer_alternatives":["Reusable containers (eliminate single-use entirely)","Paper/cardboard packaging (truly biodegradable in all environments)","Home-compostable PHA products (composting conditions less demanding than PLA)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Unsubstantiated safety or environmental claims","meaning":"Product may not perform as marketed.","action":"Verify through independent testing or certification."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party certification","meaning":"Claims independently verified.","verification":"Check certification marks."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What independent testing supports the claims?","why_it_matters":"Emerging products may lack long-term data.","good_answer":"Specific verifiable certification.","bad_answer":"No testing or self-certified."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Reusable containers","notes":"eliminate single-use entirely"},{"name":"Paper/cardboard packaging","notes":"truly biodegradable in all environments"},{"name":"Home-compostable PHA products","notes":"composting conditions less demanding than PLA"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FTC Green Guides (16 CFR 260)","citation":"16 CFR 260","requirements":"'Biodegradable' claims must be substantiated. Product must completely decompose within 1 year. Qualifications required for composting-only claims.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FTC","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":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Industrial composting ONLY (ASTM D6400 certified). Do NOT put in recycling (contaminates PET stream). Landfill if no composting available.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single_use"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000659","name":"Polylactic Acid (PLA)","role":"base_polymer","concentration_pct":"90-99"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000658","name":"Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)","role":"base_polymer_alt","concentration_pct":"90-99"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000659","compound_name":null,"role":"base_polymer","typical_concentration":"90-99%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000658","compound_name":null,"role":"base_polymer_alt","typical_concentration":"90-99%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["biodegradable plastics (pla/pha products)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Miracle-Gro","manufacturer":"ScottsMiracle-Gro","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Market-leading garden soil"},{"brand":"Black Gold","manufacturer":"Sun Gro Horticulture","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Organic potting soil"},{"brand":"FoxFarm","manufacturer":"FoxFarm","market_position":"premium","notable":"Premium garden soil mixes"}],"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":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FTC Green Guides (16 CFR 260)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"16 CFR 260","id":"src_7ac34c3a"},{"id":"src_001","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID20904011","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID20904011","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000659"},{"id":"src_002","type":"reference","title":"ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 26100-51-6","url":"https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiledocs/index.html","notes":"Toxicological profile and health effects summary","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000659"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:25:53.461Z"}}