Baby Safety / Compounds / Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane)

Is Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are vulnerable to Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

What is alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane)?

The IUPAC name is 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane.

Also known as: 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane, Hexachlorocyclohexane, Hexachlorzyklohexan, DTXCID30687.

IUPAC name
1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane
CAS number
319-84-6
Molecular formula
C6H6Cl6
Molecular weight
290.8 g/mol
SMILES
C1(C(C(C(C(C1Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl
PubChem CID
727

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are vulnerable to Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS 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.

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

High risk

Occupational and household exposure to Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.

Known reproductive toxicant (GHS H360) or confirmed endocrine disruptor. Placental transfer is presumed. Fetal exposure during critical developmental windows may cause structural malformations, growth restriction, or functional deficits.

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

Regulatory consensus

6 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC1987Group 2B
US EPA2008likely human carcinogen
EPA CTX / IRIS—B2 (Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals)
EPA CTX / NTP RoC—Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (single report) (Ames: None, 0 positive / 1 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (single report) (Ames: None, 0 positive / 1 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 alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane)

  • 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 Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane):

  • 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 alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) safe for kids?

Infants are vulnerable to Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.

What products contain alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane)?

Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) 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 alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane)?

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 alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane)?

Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) has been classified by 6 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, 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 Alpha-HCH (α-hexachlorocyclohexane) in the baby app

Look up products containing alpha-hch (α-hexachlorocyclohexane), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (3)
  1. IARC Monographs Volume 41 / Supplement 7: Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers — α-HCH Group 2B, β-HCH Group 2B, γ-HCH (lindane) Group 2B (later upgraded to Group 1) (1987) — iarc_monograph
  2. US EPA: Alpha- and Beta-Hexachlorocyclohexane — Cancer Classification Likely Human Carcinogen; Global Distillation and Arctic Contamination; Waste Disposal History (2008) — regulatory
  3. Stockholm Convention COP4: Alpha-HCH and Beta-HCH Added to Annex A (Elimination) — Global Production Legacy, Waste Disposal Sites, Breast Milk Monitoring (2009) — 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 →