Is Domoic acid safe for babies and kids?
Severe risk for kidsInfants are highly susceptible to Domoic acid due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
What is domoic acid?
The IUPAC name is (2S,3S,4S)-4-[(2Z,4E,6R)-6-carboxyhepta-2,4-dien-2-yl]-3-(carboxymethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid.
Also known as: (2S,3S,4S)-4-[(2Z,4E,6R)-6-carboxyhepta-2,4-dien-2-yl]-3-(carboxymethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid, L-Domoic acid, NSC 288031, (-)-domoic acid.
- IUPAC name
- (2S,3S,4S)-4-[(2Z,4E,6R)-6-carboxyhepta-2,4-dien-2-yl]-3-(carboxymethyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid
- CAS number
- 14277-97-5
- Molecular formula
- C15H21NO6
- Molecular weight
- 311.33 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC(C=CC=C(C)C1CNC(C1CC(=O)O)C(=O)O)C(=O)O
- PubChem CID
- 5282253
Risk for babies
Severe riskInfants are highly susceptible to Domoic acid due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
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 Domoic acid, 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
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Domoic acid. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA | — | 20 mg/kg tissue limit in shellfish | Regulatory limit for domoic acid in shellfish |
| CODEX | — | 20 mg/kg tissue limit in shellfish | Regulatory limit for domoic acid in shellfish |
| EU | — | 20 mg/kg tissue limit in shellfish | Regulatory limit for domoic acid in shellfish |
| IARC | — | Not classified | IARC has not classified domoic acid |
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 domoic acid
- 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 Domoic acid:
-
Avoidance (no chemical substitute)
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: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is domoic acid safe for kids?
Infants are highly susceptible to Domoic acid due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
What products contain domoic acid?
Domoic acid 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 domoic acid?
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 domoic acid?
Domoic acid has been classified by 4 agencies including FDA, CODEX, EU, 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 Domoic acid in the baby app
Look up products containing domoic acid, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- US FDA/CFSAN: Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) — Domoic Acid, Pseudo-nitzschia, Regulatory Limit (20 mg/kg), National Shellfish Sanitation Program Monitoring, and 1987 Prince Edward Island Outbreak (2022) (2022) — regulatory
- EFSA Panel on Contaminants: Scientific Opinion on Marine Biotoxins — Domoic Acid (Amnesic Shellfish Toxins), AMPA/Kainate Receptor Mechanism, EU Regulatory Limit, Wildlife Mortality, and California Sea Lion Case Studies (EFSA Journal 2009;1009) (2009) — 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 →