Is Chlorpyrifos safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants are acutely vulnerable to Chlorpyrifos due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What is chlorpyrifos?
The IUPAC name is diethoxy-sulfanylidene-[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-lambda5-phosphane.
Also known as: diethoxy-sulfanylidene-[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-lambda5-phosphane, Dursban, Chlorpyriphos, Lorsban.
- IUPAC name
- diethoxy-sulfanylidene-[(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)oxy]-lambda5-phosphane
- CAS number
- 2921-88-2
- Molecular formula
- C9H11Cl3NO3PS
- Molecular weight
- 350.6 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCOP(=S)(OCC)OC1=NC(=C(C=C1Cl)Cl)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 2730
Risk for babies
High riskInfants are acutely vulnerable to Chlorpyrifos due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
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
High riskPrenatal exposure to Chlorpyrifos is associated with neurodevelopmental effects. Organophosphate/carbamate insecticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which plays a role in fetal brain development.
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
10 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Chlorpyrifos. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US EPA | — | not likely carcinogen | primary concern: acetylcholinesterase inhibition; crop residue in food |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group E Evidence of Non-carcinogenicity for Humans | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 2 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 2 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3B (Category 3) (score: moderate) | |
| US_EPA | 2021 | banned_food_use | EPA revoked all food-use tolerances. |
| EU_REACH | 2020 | banned | EU non-renewal of approval. |
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 chlorpyrifos
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Chlorpyrifos:
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: Variable; lower long-term
-
Spinosad
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Neem oil
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Beneficial insects
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is chlorpyrifos safe for kids?
Infants are acutely vulnerable to Chlorpyrifos due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What products contain chlorpyrifos?
Chlorpyrifos 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 chlorpyrifos?
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 chlorpyrifos?
Chlorpyrifos has been classified by 10 agencies including US EPA, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, 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 Chlorpyrifos in the baby app
Look up products containing chlorpyrifos, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- US EPA: Chlorpyrifos — Revocation of Food Tolerances (2021) — 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 →