Is Chlortoluron safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants face elevated risk from Chlortoluron through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.
What is chlortoluron?
Also known as: Chlorotoluron, Dicuran, Tolurex, 3-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea.
- CAS number
- 15545-48-9
- Molecular formula
- C10H13ClN2O
- Molecular weight
- 212.67 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)NC(=O)N(C)C)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 27375
Risk for babies
High riskInfants face elevated risk from Chlortoluron through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.
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 Chlortoluron is a concern due to potential endocrine disruption and developmental toxicity. Agricultural communities show higher gestational exposure through drinking water.
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
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Chlortoluron.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDC Assessment | — | Suspected endocrine disruptor |
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 chlortoluron
- Agricultural Products — crop treatment, soil application
- Food Chain — residue on produce, water contamination
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Chlortoluron:
-
Integrated Pest Management (IPM); Biopesticides; Biological control
Trade-offs: Combines biological, cultural, and targeted chemical controls; reduces overall chemical use 30-70%; requires trained practitioners and monitoring infrastructure; higher management complexity; proven effective at scale in many crop systems.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is chlortoluron safe for kids?
Infants face elevated risk from Chlortoluron through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.
What products contain chlortoluron?
Chlortoluron appears in: crop treatment (Agricultural products); soil application (Agricultural products); residue on produce (Food chain); water contamination (Food chain).
What should I do if my child is exposed to chlortoluron?
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 Chlortoluron in the baby app
Look up products containing chlortoluron, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- PubChem (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 →