Is Dichlorvos (DDVP) safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants are acutely vulnerable to Dichlorvos (DDVP) due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What is dichlorvos (ddvp)?
The IUPAC name is 2,2-dichloroethenyl dimethyl phosphate.
Also known as: 2,2-dichloroethenyl dimethyl phosphate, dichlorvos, DDVP, Dichlorophos.
- IUPAC name
- 2,2-dichloroethenyl dimethyl phosphate
- CAS number
- 62-73-7
- Molecular formula
- C4H7Cl2O4P
- Molecular weight
- 220.97 g/mol
- SMILES
- COP(=O)(OC)OC=C(Cl)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 3039
Risk for babies
High riskInfants are acutely vulnerable to Dichlorvos (DDVP) 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 Dichlorvos (DDVP) 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
15 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Dichlorvos (DDVP). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1991 | Group 2B | IARC Group 2B for dichlorvos (DDVP), evaluated in Monograph 53 (1991) on occupational exposures in insecticide application and some pesticides. The classification is based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans (some occupational cohort associations) and sufficient evidence in experimental animals — squamous cell carcinomas of the forestomach in rats and pancreatic adenomas/carcinomas in mice at high doses in NTP chronic bioassays. The forestomach tumors are thought to involve local cytotoxicity at high doses rather than direct genotoxicity, as dichlorvos is weakly mutagenic in Ames test systems. Dichlorvos (DDVP) is the active metabolite and degradation product of both naled and trichlorfon, meaning exposure to these parent compounds carries the associated IARC 2B carcinogenic concern. Dichlorvos reacts with DNA to form 7-(2-hydroxy-2-phosphonylmethyl)guanine adducts; genotoxicity has been demonstrated in some in vitro and in vivo systems. EPA classifies dichlorvos as 'likely to be carcinogenic to humans' based on the animal bioassay data. |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | B2 (Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals) | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenicity but Not Sufficient to Assess Human Carcinogenic Potential | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 20 positive / 11 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 20 positive / 11 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3B (Category 3) (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 6.5B (Category 1) (score: moderate) |
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 dichlorvos (ddvp)
- 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 Dichlorvos (DDVP):
-
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 dichlorvos (ddvp) safe for kids?
Infants are acutely vulnerable to Dichlorvos (DDVP) due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.
What products contain dichlorvos (ddvp)?
Dichlorvos (DDVP) 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 dichlorvos (ddvp)?
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.
Why do regulators disagree about dichlorvos (ddvp)?
Dichlorvos (DDVP) has been classified by 15 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / CalEPA, 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 Dichlorvos (DDVP) in the baby app
Look up products containing dichlorvos (ddvp), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- IARC Monographs Volume 53: Occupational Exposures in Insecticide Application and Some Pesticides — Dichlorvos (DDVP) Group 2B Classification, Forestomach and Pancreatic Tumors (1991) (1991) — regulatory
- US EPA: Dichlorvos (DDVP) Reregistration Eligibility Decision — Likely Carcinogen, No-Pest Strip Cancer Risk, No-Pest Strip Label Restrictions, and Residential Pet Product Restrictions (2006) (2006) — 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 →