Is the Use of Cling Film Plastic Wrap Linked With Cancer?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The reviewed research indicates that cling films contain harmful plasticizers that can leach into food, posing potential health risks. While direct evidence linking cling film use to cancer is not explicitly provided, the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in these films suggests a possible association with adverse health outcomes, including cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor and regulate the levels of these chemicals in cling films to mitigate potential health risks.

The use of cling film plastic wrap, commonly employed for food packaging, has raised concerns regarding its potential health risks, particularly its association with cancer. This concern primarily stems from the presence of plasticizers in cling films, which are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that may leach into food and potentially lead to adverse health outcomes.

Key Insights

• Presence of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in Cling Films:
  • Cling films contain plasticizers such as bisphenol A (BPA), bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), and phthalates (DEHP and DBP), which are known EDCs1 4.
  • These chemicals can leach into food, increasing human exposure and posing potential health risks1 4.
• Health Risks Associated with Plasticizers:
  • The levels of DEHA and DEHP found in cling films are associated with potential human health risks, with DEHA levels significantly exceeding safe limits1.
  • Chronic exposure to plasticizers from cling films can adversely affect human health, necessitating careful monitoring of their migration into food4.
• Cancer Association:
  • While the presence of EDCs in cling films is established, direct evidence linking cling film use to cancer specifically is not conclusively provided in the reviewed papers. However, the potential health risks from EDCs, which include cancer, are implied due to their endocrine-disrupting properties1 4.