Baby Safety / Compounds / Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE)

Is Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Not medical or professional safety advice, and not a substitute for a qualified clinician — consult one. Full disclaimer →

Infants may be exposed to Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

What is vinylidene chloride (1,1-dce)?

Also known as: Vinylidene chloride, 1,1-Dichloroethene, 1,1-DICHLOROETHYLENE, Vinylidene dichloride.

CAS number
75-35-4
Molecular formula
C2H2Cl2
Molecular weight
96.94 g/mol
SMILES
C=C(Cl)Cl
PubChem CID
6366

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants may be exposed to Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Prenatal exposure to residual Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) from food-contact materials is a concern due to potential developmental toxicity. Monomers may leach from plastics at elevated temperatures.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
Unknown——

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter vinylidene chloride (1,1-dce)

  • Industrial Facilities — PVDC (Saran wrap) production, chemical intermediate

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE):

  • PVDC alternatives
    Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Polyethylene wrap
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is vinylidene chloride (1,1-dce) safe for kids?

Infants may be exposed to Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

What products contain vinylidene chloride (1,1-dce)?

Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) appears in: PVDC (Saran wrap) production (Industrial facilities); chemical intermediate (Industrial facilities).

What should I do if my child is exposed to vinylidene chloride (1,1-dce)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Vinylidene chloride (1,1-DCE) in the baby app

Look up products containing vinylidene chloride (1,1-dce), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (7)
  1. PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database
  2. IARC Monograph Volume 71 — Vinylidene chloride / 1,1-DCE (Group 3) (1999) — regulatory
  3. EPA IRIS — Vinylidene chloride / 1,1-Dichloroethylene Toxicological Review (hepatic + renal endpoints) (2002) — regulatory
  4. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards — Vinylidene chloride (CAS 75-35-4) (2019) — regulatory
  5. OSHA PEL — Vinylidene chloride (29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1) (2020) — regulatory
  6. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — 1,1-Dichloroethene (vinylidene chloride) (1994) — regulatory
  7. ECHA REACH Dossier — Vinylidene chloride harmonised classification (H225 flammable, H351 carcinogen Cat 2) (2020) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for medical, pediatric, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →