Baby Safety / Compounds / HCFC-22

Is HCFC-22 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 HCFC-22, 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 hcfc-22?

Also known as: CHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE, Difluorochloromethane, Freon 22, Propellant 22.

CAS number
75-45-6
Molecular formula
CHClF2
Molecular weight
86.47 g/mol
SMILES
C(F)(F)Cl
PubChem CID
6372

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of HCFC-22, 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.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of HCFC-22, 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.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified HCFC-22.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
Unknown——

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 hcfc-22

  • Industrial Facilities — various

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to HCFC-22:

  • N/A — inert/atmospheric
    Trade-offs: Industrial process alternative; requires compatibility testing with existing equipment and processes; regulatory compliance verification needed; cost and availability may vary by region.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

What products contain hcfc-22?

HCFC-22 appears in: various (Industrial facilities).

See HCFC-22 in the baby app

Look up products containing hcfc-22, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (1)
  1. PubChem (2026) — database

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 →