Is Epichlorohydrin safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants may be exposed to Epichlorohydrin through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
What is epichlorohydrin?
The IUPAC name is 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane.
Also known as: 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane, Epichlorhydrin, 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane, Glycidyl chloride.
- IUPAC name
- 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane
- CAS number
- 106-89-8
- Molecular formula
- C3H5ClO
- Molecular weight
- 92.52 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1C(O1)CCl
- PubChem CID
- 7835
Risk for babies
High riskInfants may be exposed to Epichlorohydrin through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
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-dependentPrenatal exposure to residual Epichlorohydrin from food-contact materials is a concern due to potential developmental toxicity. Monomers may leach from plastics at elevated temperatures.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
25 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Epichlorohydrin. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1999 | Group 2A | |
| US EPA | 2000 | likely human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / NIOSH | — | potential occupational carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | B2 (Probable human carcinogen - based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in animals) | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2A - Probably carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 25 positive / 6 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 25 positive / 6 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Corr. 1B (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Sh (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin sensitization - Category 1B (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Dam. 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Corr. 1B (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 8.3A (Category 1) (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 8.2C (Category 1C) (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 6.5B (Category 1) (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA): High Frequency of Sensitization (score: high) |
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 epichlorohydrin
- 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 Epichlorohydrin:
-
Bio-based polymer alternatives where available
Trade-offs: Performance limitations. End-of-life complexity.Relative cost: 2-5×
Frequently asked questions
Is epichlorohydrin safe for kids?
Infants may be exposed to Epichlorohydrin through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.
What products contain epichlorohydrin?
Epichlorohydrin 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 epichlorohydrin?
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 epichlorohydrin?
Epichlorohydrin has been classified by 25 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NIOSH, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, 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 Epichlorohydrin in the baby app
Look up products containing epichlorohydrin, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 71: Epichlorohydrin — Group 2A; Nasal Cavity and Forestomach Tumors in Rats; Direct-Acting Alkylating Agent; Epoxy Resin Manufacturing Cohorts (1999) — iarc_monograph
- NIOSH: Epichlorohydrin — Occupational Carcinogen Designation; REL Ceiling 0.5 ppm; Skin Sensitization; Epoxy Resin Industry Health Hazards (1976) — regulatory
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile: Epichlorohydrin — Carcinogenicity, Genotoxicity, Dermal Absorption, Respiratory Toxicity, Occupational Exposure, Environmental Fate (1992) — 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 →