At a glance
| Chemical family | Adipate ester — non-phthalate PVC plasticizer (bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate / dioctyl adipate) |
| CAS number | 103-23-1 |
| Classification | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity, Monographs Vol. 77, 2000). Not classified as a reproductive toxicant (unlike DEHP). Lower toxicological concern than phthalate plasticizers |
| Where you encounter it | PVC cling film (food wrap); vinyl flooring; cable insulation; some automotive plastics; house dust from PVC-containing products |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Found in house dust from vinyl flooring and other PVC products. Used as a DEHP alternative with lower toxicity. Contributes to cumulative plasticizer exposure during sleep |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | REACH registered. Not an SVHC. Not classified as a reproductive toxicant under CLP. Not subject to REACH Annex XIV authorisation (unlike DEHP). CLP Eye Irrit. 2. Regulatory |
| United States | FDA permits DEHA in food-contact PVC (cling film). EPA included in plasticizer assessment but not classified as a reproductive toxicant. Not restricted in consumer products. Regulatory |
| Canada | Health Canada permits in food-contact applications. Not restricted in consumer products. Regulatory |
| International | IARC Group 3 (Monographs Vol. 77, 2000). Not a reproductive toxicant. Considered lower concern than DEHP among PVC plasticizers. Regulatory |
What it is
DEHA is the bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester of adipic acid — an adipate plasticizer that provides flexibility to PVC similar to DEHP but with a different toxicological profile. IARC evaluated DEHA in 2000 and classified it as Group 3 based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animals and inadequate evidence in humans. Crucially, DEHA has not shown the anti-androgenic and reproductive toxic effects that characterise DEHP. It is not classified as a reproductive toxicant by the EU. This makes DEHA an attractive alternative to DEHP in applications where plasticizer migration is expected (food contact, skin contact). DEHA is widely used in PVC cling film for food wrapping, where its lower toxicity compared to DEHP is a regulatory advantage. However, DEHA is not toxicologically inert — it is a peroxisome proliferator in rodents, though the relevance of this mechanism to humans is debated.
Where it shows up in bedding
DEHA is not typically used in bedding products directly. It enters the bedroom primarily through vinyl flooring — DEHA is one of several plasticizers used in PVC flooring formulations. As vinyl flooring ages, DEHA migrates to the surface and enters house dust. DEHA is also present in some PVC-based mattress protectors and waterproof mattress covers as a plasticizer. In dust surveys, DEHA is typically found at lower concentrations than DEHP but is consistently detected in homes with PVC products. During sleep, exposure occurs through the same dust-ingestion and inhalation pathways as other plasticizers.
Citations
- IARC (2000). Some Industrial Chemicals. DEHA. IARC Monographs Vol. 77. Source Peer-reviewed
- EFSA (2005). Opinion on Bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA) for use in food contact materials. Source Regulatory
- ECHA. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate — Substance Information. Source Regulatory
Frequently asked questions
Is DEHA safer than DEHP?
DEHA has a lower toxicological profile than DEHP in terms of reproductive toxicity — it is not classified as a reproductive toxicant, while DEHP is EU CLP Repr. 1B. IARC classifies DEHA as Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity). However, 'safer' is relative: DEHA is not toxicologically inert, and at high doses it causes peroxisome proliferation in rodent livers. At human exposure levels from house dust and food contact, DEHA is considered lower concern than DEHP.
Does PVC cling film contain DEHA?
Many PVC cling films use DEHA as a plasticizer because its lower toxicity compared to DEHP makes it preferred for food-contact applications. DEHA can migrate from PVC cling film into fatty foods, which is why regulatory agencies have set specific migration limits. This food-contact use is not directly related to bedroom exposure, but DEHA from cling film contributes to total DEHA body burden.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08. If you find a factual error, contact us.