Baby Safety / Compounds / Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC)

Is Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) 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 acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc)?

The IUPAC name is tributyl 2-acetyloxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate.

Also known as: tributyl 2-acetyloxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE, tributyl 2-acetoxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate, Acetyltributyl citrate.

IUPAC name: tributyl 2-acetyloxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate
CAS number: 77-90-7
Molecular formula: C20H34O8
Molecular weight: 402.5 g/mol
SMILES: CCCCOC(=O)CC(CC(=O)OCCCC)(C(=O)OCCCC)OC(=O)C
PubChem CID: 6505

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

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

Elevated risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), 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

3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC). The classifications differ — that's the data.

Agency	Year	Classification
US FDA / EFSA (ATBC — acetyl tributyl citrate — FDA-approved food contact plasticizer: 21 CFR 175.300 (resinous and polymeric coatings), 175.105 (adhesives), 181.27 (plasticizers in polymers); EFSA 2012 positive opinion for use in food contact materials; considered one of the safer non-phthalate plasticizer alternatives; no reproductive toxicity or carcinogenicity classification by IARC, NTP, EFSA, or US EPA; rapidly metabolized to citric acid and butanol; used in food-grade PVC packaging, medical device tubing, and children's toys as DEHP alternative)	2012	no carcinogenicity classification; FDA-approved food contact plasticizer; EFSA positive opinion; considered safer alternative to phthalate plasticizers; citrate ester rapidly metabolized to citric acid + butanol; not classified by IARC, NTP, EFSA, or US EPA for carcinogenicity
EPA CTX / Genetox	—	Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 30 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox	—	Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 30 negative reports)

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 acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc)

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 Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC):

Fragrance-free formulations
Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented products

Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizers

Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc) safe for kids?

What products contain acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc)?

Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) 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 acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc)?

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 acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc)?

Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) has been classified by 3 agencies including US FDA / EFSA (ATBC — acetyl tributyl citrate — FDA-approved food contact plasticizer: 21 CFR 175.300 (resinous and polymeric coatings), 175.105 (adhesives), 181.27 (plasticizers in polymers); EFSA 2012 positive opinion for use in food contact materials; considered one of the safer non-phthalate plasticizer alternatives; no reproductive toxicity or carcinogenicity classification by IARC, NTP, EFSA, or US EPA; rapidly metabolized to citric acid and butanol; used in food-grade PVC packaging, medical device tubing, and children's toys as DEHP alternative), EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) in the baby app

Look up products containing acetyl tributyl citrate (atbc), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)

US FDA 21 CFR 175.300 175.105 181.27 ATBC Food Contact Approval; EFSA 2012 Positive Opinion Food Contact Materials; Non-Phthalate Citrate Ester Plasticizer; Metabolized Citric Acid Butanol; No Reproductive Toxicity No Endocrine Disruption; No IARC NTP EFSA EPA Carcinogenicity Classification (2012) — 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 →