Fact check: Is cling film toxic

1. Summary of the results

Research indicates that cling film can indeed contain toxic substances, primarily:

• DEHA (Di-2-ethylhexyl adipate), which has been linked to liver tumors in mice ^[1]
• BPA (Bisphenol A), which can mimic estrogen and has been connected to cancer and fertility issues ^[2]
• Other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) including DEHP ^[3]

The cancer risk from regular exposure has been quantified at five in 1,000 people over 30 years of daily use ^{[3] [3]}, which is 50 times higher than the acceptable cancer risk ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual factors affect toxicity levels:

• The risk is significantly higher with fatty foods ^{[4] [3]}
• Heat and UV exposure increase chemical leaching ^{[4] [3]}
• While manufacturers removed phthalates in 2006, they replaced them with DEHA, which poses similar concerns ^[1]
• Even "BPA-free" alternatives may contain harmful replacement chemicals ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question oversimplifies a complex issue. Several stakeholders have vested interests:

*Industry perspective:

• Plastic manufacturers benefit from downplaying risks and highlighting "phthalate-free" status ^[1]
• Companies marketing "BPA-free" alternatives benefit, despite their products potentially being equally harmful ^[2]

Scientific perspective:*

• Multiple studies, including research from the 1990s and more recent University of Pretoria findings, consistently show health risks ^{[1] [3]}
• The scientific community emphasizes specific conditions (heat, fat content) rather than blanket statements about toxicity ^{[4] [3]}