Is 1,2-Butylene oxide safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants may be exposed to 1,2-Butylene oxide through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
What is 1,2-butylene oxide?
The IUPAC name is 2-ethyloxirane.
Also known as: 2-ethyloxirane, 1,2-Epoxybutane, Ethyloxirane, Oxirane, ethyl-.
- IUPAC name
- 2-ethyloxirane
- CAS number
- 106-88-7
- Molecular formula
- C4H8O
- Molecular weight
- 72.11 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCC1CO1
- PubChem CID
- 7834
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants may be exposed to 1,2-Butylene oxide 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPrenatal exposure to residual 1,2-Butylene oxide 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.
Regulatory consensus
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified 1,2-Butylene oxide. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC (Group 3 — not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans — Vol 97, 2008; 1,2-epoxybutane; occupational reactive monoepoxide; genotoxic in bacterial mutagenicity assays in vitro; inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and limited evidence in experimental animals; not classified for carcinogenicity by NTP, US EPA IRIS, or EFSA; occupational inhalation exposure concern during butylene oxide manufacturing and handling) | 2008 | IARC Group 3 — not classifiable as to carcinogenicity (Vol 97, 2008); genotoxic in vitro (Ames positive); reactive epoxide with occupational inhalation exposure concern; not classified by NTP, US EPA, or EFSA for carcinogenicity | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 18 positive / 5 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 18 positive / 5 negative reports) |
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 1,2-butylene oxide
- 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 1,2-Butylene oxide:
-
Bio-based polymer alternatives where available
Trade-offs: Performance limitations. End-of-life complexity.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
Is 1,2-butylene oxide safe for kids?
Infants may be exposed to 1,2-Butylene oxide through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
What products contain 1,2-butylene oxide?
1,2-Butylene oxide 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 1,2-butylene oxide?
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 1,2-butylene oxide?
1,2-Butylene oxide has been classified by 4 agencies including IARC (Group 3 — not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans — Vol 97, 2008; 1,2-epoxybutane; occupational reactive monoepoxide; genotoxic in bacterial mutagenicity assays in vitro; inadequate evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and limited evidence in experimental animals; not classified for carcinogenicity by NTP, US EPA IRIS, or EFSA; occupational inhalation exposure concern during butylene oxide manufacturing and handling), EPA CTX / IARC, 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 1,2-Butylene oxide in the baby app
Look up products containing 1,2-butylene oxide, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- IARC Monographs Vol 97 2008: 1,2-Epoxybutane (Butylene Oxide) Group 3 Not Classifiable; Ames Test Genotoxic In Vitro; Reactive Monoepoxide DNA Adducts GSH Conjugation Epoxide Hydrolase; Occupational Inhalation Exposure; ACGIH NIOSH Exposure Limits; Not NTP EPA EFSA Classified (2008) — 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 →