Baby Safety / Compounds / Ethoprophos

Is Ethoprophos safe for babies and kids?

Severe risk for kids

Infants are acutely vulnerable to Ethoprophos due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.

What is ethoprophos?

The IUPAC name is 1-[ethoxy(propylsulfanyl)phosphoryl]sulfanylpropane.

Also known as: 1-[ethoxy(propylsulfanyl)phosphoryl]sulfanylpropane, ethoprop, Rovokil, O-Ethyl S,S-dipropyl phosphorodithioate.

IUPAC name
1-[ethoxy(propylsulfanyl)phosphoryl]sulfanylpropane
CAS number
13194-48-4
Molecular formula
C8H19O2PS2
Molecular weight
242.3 g/mol
SMILES
CCCSP(=O)(OCC)SCCC
PubChem CID
3289

Risk for babies

Severe risk

Infants are acutely vulnerable to Ethoprophos due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.

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 Ethoprophos is associated with neurodevelopmental effects. Organophosphate/carbamate insecticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which plays a role in fetal brain development.

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

5 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Ethoprophos. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / EPA OPP—Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans
EPA CTX / CalEPA—Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Eye Irritation: Category 2A-2B (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Category 3 (score: moderate)

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 ethoprophos

  • 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 Ethoprophos:

  • 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 ethoprophos safe for kids?

Infants are acutely vulnerable to Ethoprophos due to immature acetylcholinesterase regulation, higher dermal absorption per unit body weight, and frequent floor-level exposure to residues.

What products contain ethoprophos?

Ethoprophos 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 ethoprophos?

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 ethoprophos?

Ethoprophos has been classified by 5 agencies including EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, 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 Ethoprophos in the baby app

Look up products containing ethoprophos, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. US EPA: Ethoprophos Reregistration Eligibility Decision — WHO Class Ia, High Dermal Toxicity, Farm Worker Risk Assessment, and Aquatic Ecological Risk (2009) (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 →