Baby Safety / Compounds / Dibutyltin (DBT)

Is Dibutyltin (DBT) safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Dibutyltin (DBT) 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 dibutyltin (dbt)?

CAS number
1002-53-5
Molecular formula
C8H20Sn
Molecular weight
234.95 g/mol
SMILES
CCCC[Sn]CCCC
PubChem CID
14484

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Dibutyltin (DBT) 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

Developmental immunotoxicity. Thyroid disruption in offspring.

Regulatory consensus

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

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU2012Restricted under REACH — max 0.1% Sn in consumer products
EFSA2004TDI 0.1 ug/kg bw/day (group TDI with TBT)

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 dibutyltin (dbt)

  • Industrial Chemical
  • Food Contaminant

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Dibutyltin (DBT):

  • Calcium-zinc stabilizers for PVC
    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×
  • Organic stabilizers
    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: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is dibutyltin (dbt) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Dibutyltin (DBT) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What should I do if my child is exposed to dibutyltin (dbt)?

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 Dibutyltin (DBT) in the baby app

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

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Sources (1)
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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 →