Is 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) 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 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA), 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 4,4'-methylenedianiline (mda)?
The IUPAC name is 4-[(4-aminophenyl)methyl]aniline.
Also known as: 4-[(4-aminophenyl)methyl]aniline, 4,4'-Methylenedianiline, 4,4'-DIAMINODIPHENYLMETHANE, Dadpm.
- IUPAC name
- 4-[(4-aminophenyl)methyl]aniline
- CAS number
- 101-77-9
- Molecular formula
- C13H14N2
- Molecular weight
- 198.26 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1=CC(=CC=C1CC2=CC=C(C=C2)N)N
- PubChem CID
- 7577
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA), 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA), 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.
Regulatory consensus
19 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1986 | Group 2B | |
| US EPA | 1988 | probable human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / NIOSH | — | potential occupational carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 8 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 8 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Sh (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin sensitisation - category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin sensitization - Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 6.5B (Category 1) (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA): High Frequency of Sensitization (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | eye irritation: in vivo: Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation (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 4,4'-methylenedianiline (mda)
- 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 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA):
-
Bio-based polymer alternatives where available
Trade-offs: Performance limitations. End-of-life complexity.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
What products contain 4,4'-methylenedianiline (mda)?
4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
Why do regulators disagree about 4,4'-methylenedianiline (mda)?
4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) has been classified by 19 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NIOSH, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / IARC, 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 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) in the baby app
Look up products containing 4,4'-methylenedianiline (mda), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 39: 4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) — Group 2B; Hepatocellular Carcinomas and Thyroid Tumors in Rodents; Epping Jaundice Hepatotoxicity; MDI Precursor (1986) — iarc_monograph
- Kopelman et al.: Epping Jaundice — Hepatitis from MDA-Contaminated Flour; 84 Cases; Cholestatic Pattern; Dose-Response; First Evidence of MDA Human Hepatotoxicity (1966) — study
- OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1050: 4,4'-Methylenedianiline — PEL 0.01 ppm; Carcinogen Designation; Skin Absorption; Medical Surveillance; Epoxy Curing Industry Requirements (1992) — 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 →