Is Benomyl safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are susceptible to Benomyl through dietary residues on produce. Developing endocrine and hepatic systems increase vulnerability to antifungal compounds.
What is benomyl?
Also known as: Benlate, Fundazol, Tersan 1991, methyl 1-(butylcarbamoyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-ylcarbamate.
- CAS number
- 17804-35-2
- Molecular formula
- C14H18N4O3
- Molecular weight
- 290.32 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCCNC(=O)N1C2=CC=CC=C2N=C1NC(=O)OC
- PubChem CID
- 28780
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are susceptible to Benomyl through dietary residues on produce. Developing endocrine and hepatic systems increase vulnerability to antifungal compounds.
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
Very high riskPrenatal exposure to Benomyl may affect fetal development through endocrine disruption pathways. Several fungicide classes (azoles, dicarboximides) interfere with steroid biosynthesis.
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.
Regulatory consensus
2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Benomyl. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA | 2001 | Voluntarily cancelled — all US registrations ended 2001 | |
| EU | 2014 | Not approved; carbendazim (metabolite) also not renewed since 2014 |
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 benomyl
- Agriculture Historical
- Legacy Contamination
- Imported Food
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Benomyl:
-
Thiophanate-methyl
Trade-offs: Still registered in US. Same resistance issues. Similar metabolite (carbendazim) concerns.Relative cost: Similar
-
Triazole fungicides (propiconazole, tebuconazole)
Trade-offs: Different mode of action (sterol biosynthesis inhibition). Some endocrine disruption concerns of their own.Relative cost: Similar
-
Biological controls (Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma)
Trade-offs: Lower efficacy under high disease pressure. No chemical residues.Relative cost: Higher per application
Frequently asked questions
Is benomyl safe for kids?
Infants are susceptible to Benomyl through dietary residues on produce. Developing endocrine and hepatic systems increase vulnerability to antifungal compounds.
What should I do if my child is exposed to benomyl?
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 Benomyl in the baby app
Look up products containing benomyl, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
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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 →