Is Fusaric acid safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Fusaric acid than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What is fusaric acid?
The IUPAC name is 5-butylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid.
Also known as: 5-butylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid, 5-Butylpicolinic acid, Fusarinic acid, 5-Butyl-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid.
- IUPAC name
- 5-butylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid
- CAS number
- 536-69-6
- Molecular formula
- C10H13NO2
- Molecular weight
- 179.22 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCCC1=CN=C(C=C1)C(=O)O
- PubChem CID
- 3442
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are more vulnerable to Fusaric acid than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
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-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Fusaric acid, 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
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Fusaric acid. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EFSA (scientific opinion on emerging Fusarium toxins including fusaric acid in animal feed and food, 2020) | 2020 | no carcinogenicity classification; picolinic acid analogue phytotoxin and mycotoxin from Fusarium oxysporum and related species; copper chelator; dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor; neurotoxic at high doses; synergistic with fumonisins; EFSA 2020 opinion; no established TDI due to data gaps; not classified for carcinogenicity by IARC, NTP, or US EPA | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (single report) (Ames: None, 0 positive / 1 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (single report) (Ames: None, 0 positive / 1 negative reports) |
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 fusaric acid
- 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 Fusaric acid:
-
Prevention (storage and agricultural practices)
Trade-offs: Zero point-of-use emissions; shifts emissions to power generation (grid-dependent); lower operating cost; higher capital cost; infrastructure requirements (charging, grid capacity); rapidly improving economics.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is fusaric acid safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Fusaric acid than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain fusaric acid?
Fusaric acid 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 fusaric acid?
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 fusaric acid?
Fusaric acid has been classified by 3 agencies including EFSA (scientific opinion on emerging Fusarium toxins including fusaric acid in animal feed and food, 2020), EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Fusaric acid in the baby app
Look up products containing fusaric acid, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- EFSA Scientific Opinion Emerging Fusarium Toxins Fusaric Acid 2020: 5-Butylpicolinic Acid; Copper Chelator; Dopamine-Beta-Hydroxylase Inhibitor; Fumonisin Synergy Intestinal Barrier Disruption; Fusarium oxysporum Maize Wilt; No TDI Data Gaps; Not IARC NTP Classified (2020) — 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 →