Baby Safety / Compounds / Benzophenone

Is Benzophenone safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Benzophenone 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 benzophenone?

The IUPAC name is diphenylmethanone.

Also known as: diphenylmethanone, Diphenyl ketone, Benzoylbenzene, Methanone, diphenyl-.

IUPAC name
diphenylmethanone
CAS number
119-61-9
Molecular formula
C13H10O
Molecular weight
182.22 g/mol
SMILES
C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2
PubChem CID
3102

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Benzophenone 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

Elevated risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Benzophenone, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

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

Regulatory consensus

5 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Benzophenone. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC2013Group 2B — possibly carcinogenic to humans
EPA CTX / IARC—Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans
EPA CTX / CalEPA—Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 2 positive / 15 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 2 positive / 15 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 benzophenone

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
  • Personal Care — sunscreen, moisturizer with SPF, foundation, lip balm

Safer alternatives

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

  • Fragrance-free formulations
    Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented products
    Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
  • Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
    Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizers
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is benzophenone safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Benzophenone 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 benzophenone?

Benzophenone appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments); sunscreen (Personal care).

What should I do if my child is exposed to benzophenone?

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 benzophenone?

Benzophenone has been classified by 5 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Benzophenone in the baby app

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

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. IARC Monographs Vol 101 (2013): Benzophenone Group 2B Possibly Carcinogenic; Renal Tubular Cell Tumors Male Rat NTP Bioassay; Food Contact Material Migration UV Photoinitiator; ERα Estrogenic Activity (2013) — iarc_monograph
  2. FDA Benzophenone GRAS Status Revocation 2013: No Longer Generally Recognized as Safe Food Additive; IARC 2B Classification Basis; Specific Migration Limit EU 10 μg/kg Food; Octocrylene Degradation Product (2013) — 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 →