Is Disperse Red 11 safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Disperse Red 11 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 disperse red 11?
Also known as: 9,10-Anthracenedione, 1,4-diamino-2-methoxy-, 1,4-Diamino-2-methoxyanthraquinone, 1,4-Diamino-2-methoxy-9,10-anthracenedione, CI 62015.
- CAS number
- 2872-48-2
- Molecular formula
- C15H12N2O3
- Molecular weight
- 268.27 g/mol
- SMILES
- COC1=C(C2=C(C(=C1)N)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)N
- PubChem CID
- 17885
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are more vulnerable to Disperse Red 11 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Disperse Red 11, 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
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Disperse Red 11.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | — | — |
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 disperse red 11
- Consumer Products — personal care, industrial, food contact
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Disperse Red 11:
-
Natural dyes; Undyed alternatives
Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
Is disperse red 11 safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Disperse Red 11 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 disperse red 11?
Disperse Red 11 appears in: personal care (Consumer products); industrial (Consumer products).
What should I do if my child is exposed to disperse red 11?
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 Disperse Red 11 in the baby app
Look up products containing disperse red 11, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- PubChem (2026) — database
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 →