Baby Safety / Compounds / 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC)

Is 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are vulnerable to 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

What is 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc)?

The IUPAC name is 1,2-dichloroethane.

Also known as: 1,2-dichloroethane, Ethylene dichloride, Ethylene chloride, Glycol dichloride.

IUPAC name
1,2-dichloroethane
CAS number
107-06-2
Molecular formula
C2H4Cl2
Molecular weight
98.96 g/mol
SMILES
C(CCl)Cl
PubChem CID
11

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are vulnerable to 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS 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

Occupational and household exposure to 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.

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

19 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC—Group 2
EPA CTX / IRIS—B2 (Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals)
EPA CTX / NTP RoC—Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen
EPA CTX / IARC—Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans
EPA CTX / Health Canada—Group II: CEPA (probably carcinogenic to humans)
EPA CTX / EPA OPP—Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen
EPA CTX / CalEPA—Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 22 positive / 6 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 22 positive / 6 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Category 2B (score: moderate)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high)
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 Sensitization: Category 6.5B (Category 1) (score: moderate)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—skin sensitisation: in vivo (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 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc)

  • 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-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC):

  • Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
    Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.
    Relative cost: Variable; lower long-term

Frequently asked questions

Is 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc) safe for kids?

Infants are vulnerable to 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

What products contain 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc)?

1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) 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-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc)?

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-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc)?

1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) has been classified by 19 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / Health Canada, 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-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA / EDC) in the baby app

Look up products containing 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-dca / edc), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (2)
  1. IARC Monographs Volume 71: Re-evaluation of Some Organic Chemicals, Hydrazine and Hydrogen Peroxide — Carbon Tetrachloride Group 2B, Chloroform Group 2B, 1,2-Dichloroethane Group 2A (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 →