Baby Safety / Compounds / Alternariol

Is Alternariol safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Alternariol 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 alternariol?

The IUPAC name is 3,7,9-trihydroxy-1-methylbenzo[c]chromen-6-one.

Also known as: 3,7,9-trihydroxy-1-methylbenzo[c]chromen-6-one, 3,7,9-Trihydroxy-1-methyl-6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-one, KN9L4260JW, 3,4,4'-Trihydroxy-6'-methyl-2-biphenylcarboxylic acid, gamma lactone.

IUPAC name
3,7,9-trihydroxy-1-methylbenzo[c]chromen-6-one
CAS number
641-38-3
Molecular formula
C14H10O5
Molecular weight
258.23 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=CC(=CC2=C1C3=C(C(=CC(=C3)O)O)C(=O)O2)O
PubChem CID
5359485

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Alternariol than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

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

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Alternariol, 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 Alternariol.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EFSA (scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of Alternaria toxins in food and feed, 2011; updated 2016)2016no carcinogenicity classification; Alternaria alternata mycotoxin; topoisomerase inhibitor; genotoxic in vitro (DNA strand breaks, gene mutations); estrogenic in vitro; detected in tomato and tomato products, sunflower, sorghum, apples; no TDI established (genotoxic concern); EFSA 2011 and 2016 opinions; not classified for carcinogenicity by IARC, NTP, or US EPA

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 alternariol

  • 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 Alternariol:

  • Prevention (storage and agricultural practices)
    Trade-offs: Zero point-of-use emissions; shifts emissions to power generation (grid-dependent); lower operating cost; higher capital cost; infrastructure requirements (charging, grid capacity); rapidly improving economics.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is alternariol safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Alternariol than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain alternariol?

Alternariol 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 alternariol?

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.

See Alternariol in the baby app

Look up products containing alternariol, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. EFSA Scientific Opinion Alternaria Toxins Food Feed 2011 Updated 2016: Alternariol AOH Topoisomerase I/II Inhibitor; DNA Strand Breaks Genotoxic In Vitro; Estrogenic ERα; Tomato Tomato Products Sunflower; MOE Approach No TDI; Not IARC NTP Classified (2016) — 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 →