Is DTPA safe for babies and kids?
Context-dependent for kids(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of DTPA, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
What is dtpa?
The IUPAC name is diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.
Also known as: diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, pentacetic acid, Gd-DTPA chelate.
- IUPAC name
- diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid
- CAS number
- 67-43-6
- Molecular formula
- C14H23N3O10
- Molecular weight
- 393.33 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC12CCC(=CC1=CCC3C2CCC4(C3CCC4(C)O)C)OC5CCCC5
- PubChem CID
- 6217
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of DTPA, 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of DTPA, 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
2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified DTPA. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU_CLP | — | Acute Tox. 4 (Oral) | H302: Harmful if swallowed |
| FDA | — | — | Approved as medical imaging agent; Magnevist (Gd-DTPA) for MRI |
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 dtpa
- medical imaging (MRI contrast)
- nuclear decontamination
- detergents
- industrial metal sequestration
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to DTPA:
-
GLDA (tetrasodium glutamate diacetate) — readily biodegradable chelator
Trade-offs: Extremely mild (pH 5.5-6.5); biodegradable; derived from amino acids and fatty acids; premium ingredient cost; excellent consumer perception; lower foam volume than sulfate surfactants.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Citric acid — food-grade, naturally occurring
Trade-offs: Alternative chelating agent; stability constants for target metal ions differ; biodegradability varies (EDTA poorly biodegradable, citrate fully biodegradable); downstream water treatment impact should be assessed.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
-
MGDA (methylglycinediacetic acid) — high biodegradability
Trade-offs: Alternative chelating agent; stability constants for target metal ions differ; biodegradability varies (EDTA poorly biodegradable, citrate fully biodegradable); downstream water treatment impact should be assessed.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
What products contain dtpa?
DTPA appears in: medical imaging (MRI contrast); nuclear decontamination; detergents.
See DTPA in the baby app
Look up products containing dtpa, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- PubChem Compound CID 6217 — database
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 67-43-6 — 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 →