Baby Safety / Compounds / 2-Methylnaphthalene

Is 2-Methylnaphthalene safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 2-Methylnaphthalene, 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-methylnaphthalene?

Also known as: beta-Methylnaphthalene, Naphthalene, 2-methyl-, S8MCX3C16H, RefChem:476105.

CAS number
91-57-6
Molecular formula
C11H10
Molecular weight
142.20 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=CC2=CC=CC=C2C=C1
PubChem CID
7055

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 2-Methylnaphthalene, 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.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 2-Methylnaphthalene, 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

1 regulatory bodyhas classified 2-Methylnaphthalene.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
Unknown——

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-methylnaphthalene

  • Industrial Facilities — various

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to 2-Methylnaphthalene:

  • Green chemistry; Enclosed processes
    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-methylnaphthalene?

2-Methylnaphthalene appears in: various (Industrial facilities).

See 2-Methylnaphthalene in the baby app

Look up products containing 2-methylnaphthalene, 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 →