Is Ethyleneimine (aziridine) 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 Ethyleneimine (aziridine), 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 ethyleneimine (aziridine)?
The IUPAC name is aziridine.
Also known as: aziridine, ETHYLENEIMINE, Ethylenimine, Azacyclopropane.
- IUPAC name
- aziridine
- CAS number
- 151-56-4
- Molecular formula
- C2H5N
- Molecular weight
- 43.07 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1CN1
- PubChem CID
- 9033
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Ethyleneimine (aziridine), 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 Ethyleneimine (aziridine), 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
13 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Ethyleneimine (aziridine). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1975 | Group 3 | |
| US EPA | 2000 | probable human carcinogen (Group B2) | |
| EPA CTX / NIOSH | — | potential occupational carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 41 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 41 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Corr. 1B (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1 (score: very 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 | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Dam. 1 (score: very high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Corr. 1B (score: very 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 ethyleneimine (aziridine)
- 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 Ethyleneimine (aziridine):
-
Bio-based polymer alternatives where available
Trade-offs: Performance limitations. End-of-life complexity.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
What products contain ethyleneimine (aziridine)?
Ethyleneimine (aziridine) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
Why do regulators disagree about ethyleneimine (aziridine)?
Ethyleneimine (aziridine) has been classified by 13 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NIOSH, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, 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 Ethyleneimine (aziridine) in the baby app
Look up products containing ethyleneimine (aziridine), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- IARC Monographs Volume 9: Some Aziridines, N-, S- and O-Mustards and Selenium — Ethyleneimine Group 3; Direct DNA Alkylation N7-Guanine; OSHA Regulated Carcinogen 29 CFR 1910.1012; Polyethyleneimine Monomer; Paper Sizing; Aziridine Ring Strain Pharmacophore; IDLH 100 ppm (1975) — iarc_monograph
- US EPA Ethyleneimine: Group B2 Probable Carcinogen; OSHA 1 ppm PEL; Rapid Hydrolysis to Ethanolamine; Polymerization to PEI in Water; Hemoglobin Adduct Biological Monitoring; Severe Mucous Membrane Irritant; Industrial Polymer Crosslinker (2000) — 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 →