Baby Safety / Compounds / 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT)

Is 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) safe for babies and kids?

Very high risk for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

What is 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-dnt)?

The IUPAC name is 1-methyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene.

Also known as: 1-methyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 2,4-DINITROTOLUENE, 2,4-Dinitrotoluol, 2,4-DNT.

IUPAC name
1-methyl-2,4-dinitrobenzene
CAS number
121-14-2
Molecular formula
C7H6N2O4
Molecular weight
182.13 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)[N+](=O)[O-])[N+](=O)[O-]
PubChem CID
8461

Risk for babies

Very high risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Very high risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

8 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC1996Group 2B
US EPA2000probable human carcinogen (Group B2)
EPA CTX / IARC—Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans
EPA CTX / CalEPA—Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 4 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 4 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Not classified (score: low)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Category 3 (score: moderate)

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-dinitrotoluene (2,4-dnt)

  • 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 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT):

  • Safer process chemistry; Green chemistry alternatives; Exposure controls
    Trade-offs: Requires R&D investment to redesign synthesis routes; may reduce yield or throughput initially; long-term benefits include reduced waste treatment costs, regulatory compliance, and worker safety; 12 Principles of Green Chemistry framework available.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

What products contain 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-dnt)?

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

Why do regulators disagree about 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-dnt)?

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) has been classified by 8 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, 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 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) in the baby app

Look up products containing 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-dnt), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. IARC Monographs Volume 65: Printing Processes and Printing Inks, Carbon Black and Some Nitro Compounds — 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Group 2B; Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Rodents; TDI Manufacturing Intermediate; Methemoglobin Former; Male Reproductive Toxicant (1996) — iarc_monograph
  2. US EPA 2,4-Dinitrotoluene: Group B2 Probable Carcinogen; Military Range Groundwater Contaminant; Methemoglobinemia; Superfund Priority Compound; Aquatic Chronic Criterion 0.11 mg/L; TDA Anaerobic Degradation Product (2000) — 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 →