Is Furfuryl alcohol safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants are vulnerable to Furfuryl alcohol through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What is furfuryl alcohol?
The IUPAC name is furan-2-ylmethanol.
Also known as: furan-2-ylmethanol, 2-Furanmethanol, 2-Furylmethanol, 2-Furancarbinol.
- IUPAC name
- furan-2-ylmethanol
- CAS number
- 98-00-0
- Molecular formula
- C5H6O2
- Molecular weight
- 98.1 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1=COC(=C1)CO
- PubChem CID
- 7361
Risk for babies
High riskInfants are vulnerable to Furfuryl alcohol through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS 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-dependentOccupational and household exposure to Furfuryl alcohol during pregnancy is associated with developmental toxicity. Solvents readily cross the placenta and can cause fetal growth restriction.
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 Furfuryl alcohol. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1995 | Group 2B | |
| US EPA | 1995 | Group C – possible human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 2 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 2 positive / 4 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye irritation - category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin sensitisation - category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2A (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA): Low to Moderate Frequency of Sensitization (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 furfuryl alcohol
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
-
Fragrance
— perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Furfuryl alcohol:
-
Fragrance-free formulations
Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented productsRelative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
-
Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizersRelative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
Is furfuryl alcohol safe for kids?
Infants are vulnerable to Furfuryl alcohol through inhalation of volatile residues in household products. Immature blood-brain barrier and higher respiratory rate per body weight amplify CNS exposure.
What products contain furfuryl alcohol?
Furfuryl alcohol appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments); perfume (Fragrance).
What should I do if my child is exposed to furfuryl alcohol?
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 furfuryl alcohol?
Furfuryl alcohol has been classified by 13 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Furfuryl alcohol in the baby app
Look up products containing furfuryl alcohol, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- IARC Monographs Volume 63: Dry Cleaning, Some Chlorinated Solvents and Other Industrial Chemicals — Furfuryl Alcohol Group 2B; Nasal Tumors in Rats; Mouse Liver Tumors; Coffee and Roasted Food Source; Foundry Furan Resins (1995) — iarc_monograph
- EFSA Scientific Opinion on Furfuryl Alcohol in Food — Genotoxic Carcinogen; MOE Approach; Coffee and Bread Dietary Exposure; Foundry Worker Occupational Exposure; OSHA PEL 50 ppm; EU Flavoring Restriction (2011) — 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 →