Baby Safety / Compounds / Anatoxin-a

Is Anatoxin-a safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants are highly susceptible to Anatoxin-a due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What is anatoxin-a?

The IUPAC name is 1-[(1R,6R)-9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]non-2-en-2-yl]ethanone.

Also known as: 1-[(1R,6R)-9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]non-2-en-2-yl]ethanone, Anatoxin A, Anatoxin I, Antx-A.

IUPAC name
1-[(1R,6R)-9-azabicyclo[4.2.1]non-2-en-2-yl]ethanone
CAS number
64285-06-9
Molecular formula
C10H15NO
Molecular weight
165.23 g/mol
SMILES
CC(=O)C1=CCCC2CCC1N2
PubChem CID
3034748

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants are highly susceptible to Anatoxin-a due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

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 Anatoxin-a, 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 Anatoxin-a.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
WHOGuideline value of 30 μg/L in recreational watersFor cyanotoxin-related risk management in water quality

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 anatoxin-a

  • Industrial FacilitiesManufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational EnvironmentsFactories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Anatoxin-a:

  • Avoidance (no chemical substitute)
    Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is anatoxin-a safe for kids?

Infants are highly susceptible to Anatoxin-a due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What products contain anatoxin-a?

Anatoxin-a 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 anatoxin-a?

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 Anatoxin-a in the baby app

Look up products containing anatoxin-a, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (3)

  1. WHO: Cyanobacterial Toxins — Anatoxin-a, nAChR Mechanism, VFDF History, Recreational Water Guideline (30 μg/L), Drinking Water Treatment, Freshwater Ecology, and Global HAB Epidemiology (2021 Background Document) (2021) — regulatory
  2. US EPA: Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water — Anatoxin-a, Cylindrospermopsin, Microcystins — Health Advisories, Treatment Technologies, Monitoring Guidance, and HAB Early Warning Systems (2019) (2019) — regulatory
  3. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Cyanobacterial Toxins (Anatoxin-a, Microcystin) — Freshwater HAB Exposure in Dogs, Rapid-Onset Neurotoxicity, Hepatotoxicity, Clinical Presentation, and Case Reports (2022) (2022) — veterinary

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 →