Baby Safety / Compounds / D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane)

Is D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) 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 d4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane)?

The IUPAC name is 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8,10,10-decamethyl-1,3,5,7,9,2,4,6,8,10-pentaoxapentasilecane.

Also known as: 2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8,10,10-decamethyl-1,3,5,7,9,2,4,6,8,10-pentaoxapentasilecane, DECAMETHYLCYCLOPENTASILOXANE, Cyclomethicone 5, Dimethylsiloxane pentamer.

IUPAC name
2,2,4,4,6,6,8,8,10,10-decamethyl-1,3,5,7,9,2,4,6,8,10-pentaoxapentasilecane
CAS number
556-67-2
Molecular formula
C10H30O5Si5
Molecular weight
370.77 g/mol
SMILES
C[Si]1(C)O[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)O[Si](C)(C)O1
PubChem CID
10913

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants are more vulnerable to D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) 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

Elevated risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 13 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 13 negative reports)

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 d4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane):

  • Fragrance-free formulations
    Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented products
    Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
  • Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
    Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizers
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is d4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) 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 d4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane)?

D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Waste treatment sites (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to d4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane)?

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 D4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) in the baby app

Look up products containing d4 (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (3)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 10913 — database
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID1027184 — epa
  3. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 541-02-6 — 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 →