{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000178","name":"Plastic Wrap and Cling Film (PVC vs Polyethylene)","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"food_storage","tags":["plastic wrap","cling film","PVC","PVDC","polyethylene","DEHA","phthalate","microwave"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Household plastic wraps in two materials: PVC/PVDC (Saran Wrap original — discontinued PVC 2004, now PVDC) and polyethylene (PE — Glad, Stretch-Tite). PVC/PVDC wraps historically contained DEHA (di-2-ethylhexyl adipate) plasticizer that migrated into food, especially fatty foods and during microwave heating. PE wraps contain no plasticizers. Commercial food wraps used in grocery delis and restaurants are often still PVC with plasticizers.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.703,"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":"general population (low risk with PE wrap)","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["PVC-based commercial wraps may contain plasticizer that migrates into food","Microwave heating dramatically increases migration from plastic wrap","Fatty foods absorb more plasticizer from PVC wraps","Grocery deli PVC wraps on cheese and meat: consumer cannot choose PE"],"exposure_routes":"Oral via food contacting plastic wrap (migration accelerated by heat and fat)"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Microwave heating food in plastic wrap (highest migration)","Fatty food stored against plastic wrap (accelerated migration)","Grocery deli: PVC wrap on cheese, meat, prepared foods","Leftover storage with plastic wrap touching food surface"],"notes":"FDA: PE-based plastic wraps are safe for microwave use. PVC-based wraps: do not microwave. Migration increases with: temperature, fat content, contact time, and surface area. Leave gap between wrap and food when microwaving. Use glass or ceramic covers in microwave. Beeswax wraps are reusable, zero-plastic alternative."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Use PE-based household wrap (Glad, most store brands). Do not microwave food with any plastic wrap touching food surface — leave 1-inch gap or use glass/ceramic cover. Transfer deli-wrapped food to non-plastic container at home. Choose beeswax wraps for cold food storage.","safer_alternatives":["Beeswax wraps (reusable, zero plastic)","Silicone stretch lids (reusable, no migration)","Glass containers with glass/silicone lids","Plate over bowl (zero-cost, zero-plastic)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"No testing data or regulatory oversight for this food category","meaning":"Potential contaminant exposure without monitoring.","action":"Choose tested/certified alternatives when available."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"USDA Organic or third-party tested","meaning":"Lower contaminant levels verified.","verification":"Check for USDA Organic seal or third-party testing results."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Has this product been tested for the contaminants relevant to its category?","why_it_matters":"Testing provides assurance beyond regulatory minimums.","good_answer":"Third-party tested with published results.","bad_answer":"No testing beyond regulatory minimum."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Beeswax wraps","notes":"reusable, zero plastic"},{"name":"Silicone stretch lids","notes":"reusable, no migration"},{"name":"Glass containers with glass/silicone lids","notes":"Alternative"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR 177 (Indirect Food Additives: Polymers)","citation":"21 CFR 177","requirements":"Food-contact plastic films must meet FDA extraction/migration requirements.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FDA","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":"Regular waste. Plastic wrap is not recyclable.","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"single_use"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000686","name":"Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer","role":"wrap_material","concentration_pct":"90-99"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000007","name":"Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate","role":"plasticizer_PVC_type","concentration_pct":"trace-15"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000686","compound_name":null,"role":"wrap_material","typical_concentration":"90-99%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000007","compound_name":null,"role":"plasticizer_PVC_type","typical_concentration":"trace-15%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["plastic wrap and cling film (pvc vs polyethylene)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"SC Johnson","manufacturer":"SC Johnson","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Household product conglomerate"},{"brand":"Clorox","manufacturer":"Clorox","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Household cleaning market leader"},{"brand":"3M","manufacturer":"3M","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Home safety and maintenance products"}],"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":"FDA 21 CFR 177 (Indirect Food Additives: Polymers)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"21 CFR 177","id":"src_fa8570a9"},{"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":"report","citation":"Environmental Working Group. Polluted Pets: High Levels of Toxic Industrial Chemicals Contaminate Cats and Dogs. 2008.","url":"https://www.ewg.org/research/polluted-pets","id":"ewg_2008","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000007"},{"type":"report","citation":"Danish Ministry of the Environment. Survey of phthalates in dog toys. 2006.","id":"danish_study","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000007"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:29:12.130Z"}}