Is Clothianidin safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are acutely vulnerable to Clothianidin due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What is clothianidin?
The IUPAC name is 1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine.
Also known as: 1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine, Celero, Poncho, TI 435.
- IUPAC name
- 1-[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-2-nitroguanidine
- CAS number
- 210880-92-5
- Molecular formula
- C6H8ClN5O2S
- Molecular weight
- 249.68 g/mol
- SMILES
- CNC(=N[N+](=O)[O-])NCC1=CN=C(S1)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 86287519
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are acutely vulnerable to Clothianidin 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
Elevated riskPrenatal exposure to Clothianidin is associated with neurodevelopmental effects. Organophosphate/carbamate insecticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which plays a role in fetal brain development.
Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.
Regulatory consensus
2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Clothianidin. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | — | Regulated substance | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Not Likely to Be Carcinogenic in Humans |
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 clothianidin
- 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 Clothianidin:
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is clothianidin safe for kids?
Infants are acutely vulnerable to Clothianidin due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What products contain clothianidin?
Clothianidin 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 clothianidin?
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 Clothianidin in the baby app
Look up products containing clothianidin, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- US EPA: Clothianidin — Interim Registration Review Decision and Ecological Risk Assessment (2020) — regulatory
- EFSA: Neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid, Clothianidin, Thiamethoxam) — Assessment of Risks to Bees (Regulation (EU) 2018/848) (2018) — 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 →