Baby Safety / Compounds / Calcium sulfate dihydrate

Is Calcium sulfate dihydrate safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Calcium sulfate dihydrate 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 calcium sulfate dihydrate?

The IUPAC name is calcium;sulfate;dihydrate.

Also known as: calcium;sulfate;dihydrate, Satinite, Light spar, Satin spar.

IUPAC name
calcium;sulfate;dihydrate
CAS number
10101-41-4
Molecular formula
CaH4O6S
Molecular weight
172.17 g/mol
SMILES
O.O.[Ca++].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O
PubChem CID
24928

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Calcium sulfate dihydrate 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 Calcium sulfate dihydrate, 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 Calcium sulfate dihydrate.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
GHSWarning classification

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 calcium sulfate dihydrate

  • Building MaterialsDrywall/gypsum board, Joint compound, Plaster, Cement

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Calcium sulfate dihydrate:

  • Low-VOC or zero-VOC building products
    Trade-offs: May be more expensive. Certification doesn't cover all hazards.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is calcium sulfate dihydrate safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Calcium sulfate dihydrate 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 calcium sulfate dihydrate?

Calcium sulfate dihydrate appears in: Drywall/gypsum board (Building materials); Joint compound (Building materials).

What should I do if my child is exposed to calcium sulfate dihydrate?

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 Calcium sulfate dihydrate in the baby app

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Sources (3)

  1. PubChem Compound CID 24928 — database
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID7047514 — epa
  3. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 10101-41-4 — reference

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 →