Is Dibenz[a,h]anthracene 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 Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, 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 dibenz[a,h]anthracene?
The IUPAC name is naphtho[1,2-b]phenanthrene.
Also known as: naphtho[1,2-b]phenanthrene, 1,2:5,6-Dibenzanthracene, DIBENZ(A,H)ANTHRACENE, Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene.
- IUPAC name
- naphtho[1,2-b]phenanthrene
- CAS number
- 53-70-3
- Molecular formula
- C22H14
- Molecular weight
- 278.3 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C=CC3=CC4=C(C=CC5=CC=CC=C54)C=C32
- PubChem CID
- 5889
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, 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.
Regulatory consensus
8 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Dibenz[a,h]anthracene. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 2010 | Group 2A | IARC Group 2A for dibenz[a,h]anthracene based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals (skin tumors, mammary tumors, lung tumors in rodent bioassays) and limited evidence in humans. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene has the highest relative potency factor (RPF) among the 16 EPA priority PAHs — an RPF of 5.0 relative to benzo[a]pyrene (RPF = 1.0), reflecting its exceptional carcinogenic potency in experimental systems. It is metabolically activated by CYP1A1/1B1 to diol epoxides that form bulky DNA adducts. Primary exposure is through combustion emissions (coal tar, tobacco smoke, grilled/charred meats, urban air pollution) — dibenz[a,h]anthracene is present at lower absolute concentrations than benzo[a]pyrene but at greater potency per molecule. The compound is included in the EPA 16 priority PAH list and used in PAH mixture risk assessments as a potency-weighted contributor. |
| US EPA | 1994 | Group B2 | US EPA Group B2 (probable human carcinogen) based on sufficient evidence from animal bioassays. Oral slope factor: 1.2/mg/kg-day (range 0.74–1.9; GI tract, liver, lung, thyroid). Inhalation unit risk: 3.4×10⁻⁴ per μg/m³. RPF-based risk assessment attributes higher weighted carcinogenic risk to dibenz[a,h]anthracene than to benzo[a]pyrene in complex PAH mixture exposures. Listed in EPA IRIS and used in Superfund risk assessments for PAH-contaminated sites. |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | B2 (Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals) | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 18 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 18 positive / 0 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 dibenz[a,h]anthracene
- 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 Dibenz[a,h]anthracene:
-
Exposure reduction (combustion byproduct)
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×
Frequently asked questions
What products contain dibenz[a,h]anthracene?
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
Why do regulators disagree about dibenz[a,h]anthracene?
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene has been classified by 8 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / IARC, 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 Dibenz[a,h]anthracene in the baby app
Look up products containing dibenz[a,h]anthracene, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- IARC Monographs Volume 92: Some Non-heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Some Related Exposures — PAH Individual Compound Classifications (Group 1/2A/2B/3) (2010) — regulatory
- US EPA IRIS: Dibenz[a,h]anthracene — Carcinogenicity Assessment, Oral Slope Factor, Inhalation Unit Risk, and Relative Potency Factor (RPF = 5.0 vs BaP) (1994) — 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 →