Baby Safety / Compounds / Chloroacetic acid

Is Chloroacetic acid safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Chloroacetic acid, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

What is chloroacetic acid?

Also known as: Monochloroacetic acid, 2-chloroacetic acid, Chloracetic acid, Chloroethanoic acid.

CAS number
79-11-8
Molecular formula
C2H3ClO2
Molecular weight
94.50 g/mol
SMILES
C(C(=O)O)Cl
PubChem CID
300

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Chloroacetic acid, 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.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Chloroacetic acid, 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 Chloroacetic acid.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
Unknown——

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 chloroacetic acid

  • Industrial Facilities — herbicide synthesis (2,4-D production), chemical intermediate

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Chloroacetic acid:

  • N/A — industrial intermediate
    Trade-offs: Industrial process alternative; requires compatibility testing with existing equipment and processes; regulatory compliance verification needed; cost and availability may vary by region.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Process containment
    Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

What products contain chloroacetic acid?

Chloroacetic acid appears in: herbicide synthesis (2,4-D production) (Industrial facilities); chemical intermediate (Industrial facilities).

See Chloroacetic acid in the baby app

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

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Sources (1)
  1. PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database

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 →