Baby Safety / Compounds / DBNPA

Is DBNPA 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 DBNPA, 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 dbnpa?

The IUPAC name is 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide.

Also known as: 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide, Tektamer, Napabrom, N-Chloroacetanilide.

IUPAC name
2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide
CAS number
10222-01-2
Molecular formula
C3H4Br2N2O
Molecular weight
243.88 g/mol
SMILES
CC(=O)N(C1=CC=CC=C1)Cl
PubChem CID
11365

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of DBNPA, 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 DBNPA, 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

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified DBNPA. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_CLP—Acute Tox. 2 (Oral); Skin Irrit. 2H300 (Fatal if swallowed), H315 (Causes skin irritation)
EPA——Registered as pesticide/biocide; used in industrial water treatment

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 dbnpa

  • paper mill systems
  • cooling water
  • industrial disinfection
  • water treatment

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to DBNPA:

  • Physical preservation methods (UV treatment, filtration, controlled atmosphere)
    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×
  • Naturally-derived antimicrobials (essential oil components at validated concentrations)
    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: 2-5× conventional
  • Hurdle technology combining multiple mild preservation methods
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

What products contain dbnpa?

DBNPA appears in: paper mill systems; cooling water; industrial disinfection.

See DBNPA in the baby app

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

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 11365 — database
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 10222-01-2 — 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 →