Baby Safety / Compounds / 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol

Is 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol 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 2-4-6-trichlorophenol?

Also known as: 2,4,6-TRICHLOROPHENOL, Phenachlor, Dowicide 2S, OMAL.

CAS number
88-06-2
Molecular formula
C6H3Cl3O
Molecular weight
197.4 g/mol
SMILES
C1=C(C=C(C(=C1Cl)O)Cl)Cl
PubChem CID
6914

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Infants are more vulnerable to 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol 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

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EDC Assessment—Suspected endocrine disruptor

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 2-4-6-trichlorophenol

  • Consumer Products — personal care, industrial, food contact

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol:

  • N/A — exposure reduction
    Trade-offs: Exposure reduction does not eliminate the hazard but lowers risk to acceptable levels when alternatives are not available or practical. Requires ongoing monitoring and compliance.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is 2-4-6-trichlorophenol safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol 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 2-4-6-trichlorophenol?

2-4-6-Trichlorophenol appears in: personal care (Consumer products); industrial (Consumer products).

What should I do if my child is exposed to 2-4-6-trichlorophenol?

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 2-4-6-Trichlorophenol in the baby app

Look up products containing 2-4-6-trichlorophenol, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (1)
  1. PubChem (2026) — database

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 →