Is Acrolein safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants may be exposed to Acrolein through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
What is acrolein?
The IUPAC name is prop-2-enal.
Also known as: prop-2-enal, Acrylaldehyde, 2-Propenal, Propenal.
- IUPAC name
- prop-2-enal
- CAS number
- 107-02-8
- Molecular formula
- C3H4O
- Molecular weight
- 56.06 g/mol
- SMILES
- C=CC=O
- PubChem CID
- 7847
Risk for babies
High riskInfants may be exposed to Acrolein through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPrenatal exposure to residual Acrolein from food-contact materials is a concern due to potential developmental toxicity. Monomers may leach from plastics at elevated temperatures.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
15 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Acrolein. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1995 | Group 3 (not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans) | Evaluated in IARC Monograph 63. Inadequate evidence in both humans and animals for carcinogenicity classification. Primary hazard is acute and chronic non-cancer toxicity: severe respiratory irritant and cardiovascular toxicant. |
| US EPA | 2003 | not likely to be carcinogenic to humans | EPA IRIS provisional assessment (2003 external review draft); non-cancer inhalation RfC 0.00002 mg/m³ (based on upper respiratory tract lesions in rats); not classified as carcinogen due to insufficient evidence. Primary driver of regulation is non-cancer respiratory and cardiovascular toxicity. |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | Data are inadequate for an assessment of human carcinogenic potential | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group C Possible Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Corr. 1B (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Dam. 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Corr. 1B (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 8.3A (Category 1) (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 8.2C (Category 1C) (score: very high) |
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 acrolein
- 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 Acrolein:
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is acrolein safe for kids?
Infants may be exposed to Acrolein through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
What products contain acrolein?
Acrolein 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 acrolein?
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 acrolein?
Acrolein has been classified by 15 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, 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 Acrolein in the baby app
Look up products containing acrolein, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 63: Acrolein (1995) — regulatory
- US EPA IRIS: Acrolein — Provisional Toxicological Review (External Review Draft) (2003) — regulatory
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Acrolein (2007) — report
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 →