Baby Safety / Compounds / 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)

Is 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)?

The IUPAC name is 1,1,1-trichloroethane.

Also known as: 1,1,1-trichloroethane, Methylchloroform, Chlorothene, Cleanite.

IUPAC name
1,1,1-trichloroethane
CAS number
71-55-6
Molecular formula
C2H3Cl3
Molecular weight
133.4 g/mol
SMILES
CC(Cl)(Cl)Cl
PubChem CID
6278

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are more vulnerable to 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

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

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

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

13 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / IRIS—Inadequate information to assess carcinogenic potential
EPA CTX / IARC—Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans
EPA CTX / EPA OPP—Group D Not Classifiable as to Human Carcinogenicity
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 11 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 11 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Category 2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Sensitization: Not classified (score: low)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Category 6.3A (Category 2) (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—skin corrosion: in vitro / ex vivo: Severe Irritation (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA): Not likely to be sensitizing (score: low)

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 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform):

  • Water-based formulations where feasible
    Trade-offs: Longer drying time. May not achieve same performance in all applications.
    Relative cost: 0.8-1.5×
  • Bio-based solvents (d-limonene, ethyl lactate)
    Trade-offs: Higher cost. Flammability concerns with some bio-solvents.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)?

1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)?

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.

Why do regulators disagree about 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)?

1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) has been classified by 13 agencies including EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. 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. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.

See 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform) in the baby app

Look up products containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. IARC Monographs Volume 71: Re-evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals — 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Group 3, Not Classifiable as to Carcinogenicity (1999) (1999) — regulatory
  2. US EPA: National Primary Drinking Water Regulations — Volatile Organic Chemicals (40 CFR 141.61); TCE MCL 5 μg/L, PCE MCL 5 μg/L, CCl4 MCL 5 μg/L, Chloroform MCL via TTHM, 1,2-DCE MCL 5 μg/L, 1,1,1-TCA MCL 200 μg/L (1989) — regulatory

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