Baby Safety / Compounds / Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)

Is Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) safe for babies and kids?

Very high risk for kids

Infants face elevated risk from Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.

What is diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)?

The IUPAC name is 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea.

Also known as: 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, diuron, DCMU, Duran.

IUPAC name
3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea
CAS number
330-54-1
Molecular formula
C9H10Cl2N2O
Molecular weight
233.09 g/mol
SMILES
CN(C)C(=O)NC1=CC(Cl)=C(Cl)C=C1
PubChem CID
3120

Risk for babies

Very high risk

Infants face elevated risk from Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.

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

Very high risk

Prenatal exposure to Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) is a concern due to potential endocrine disruption and developmental toxicity. Agricultural communities show higher gestational exposure through drinking water.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / EPA OPP—Known/Likely
EPA CTX / CalEPA—Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 8 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 8 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 diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)

  • Agricultural Products — Treated grains and legumes, Crop residues
  • Drinking Water — Municipal water supplies in agricultural regions

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea):

  • 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 diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) safe for kids?

Infants face elevated risk from Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.

What products contain diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)?

Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) appears in: Treated grains and legumes (Agricultural products); Crop residues (Agricultural products); Municipal water supplies in agricultural regions (Drinking water).

What should I do if my child is exposed to diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)?

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 diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)?

Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) has been classified by 4 agencies including EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) in the baby app

Look up products containing diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (3)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 3120 — database
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID0020446 — epa
  3. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 330-54-1 — 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 →