Is Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants face disproportionate exposure to Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.
What is hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd)?
The IUPAC name is 1,3,5,7,9,11-hexabromocyclododecane.
Also known as: 1,3,5,7,9,11-hexabromocyclododecane, SAYTEX HBCD, RefChem:217126, PYROVATEX 3887.
- IUPAC name
- 1,3,5,7,9,11-hexabromocyclododecane
- CAS number
- 25637-99-4
- Molecular formula
- C12H18Br6
- Molecular weight
- 641.7 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1C(CC(CC(CC(CC(CC1Br)Br)Br)Br)Br)Br
- PubChem CID
- 33121
Risk for babies
High riskInfants face disproportionate exposure to Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.
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
Elevated riskPrenatal exposure to Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) through dust inhalation and dietary intake can affect fetal thyroid function and neurodevelopment. Flame retardants accumulate in breast milk.
Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.
Regulatory consensus
11 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNEP | — | Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 6 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 6 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin irritation: in vivo: Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA): High Frequency of Sensitization (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | eye irritation: in vivo: Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA): Not likely to be sensitizing (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA): Not likely to be sensitizing (score: low) |
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 hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd)
- 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 Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD):
-
Inherently flame-resistant materials (wool, modacrylic, Nomex)
Trade-offs: Higher material cost. Limited color/texture options.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Barrier fabric technology
Trade-offs: Adds manufacturing step and costRelative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd) safe for kids?
Infants face disproportionate exposure to Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.
What products contain hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd)?
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) 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 hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd)?
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 hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd)?
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) has been classified by 11 agencies including UNEP, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) in the baby app
Look up products containing hexabromocyclododecane (hbcdd), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- Stockholm Convention: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) — Listed under Annex A (Elimination), COP-6 Decision SC-6/13, Global POP Assessment, PBT Properties, Long-Range Transport, Arctic Contamination (2013) (2013) — regulatory
- ECHA: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) — PBT/vPvB Assessment, SVHC Identification, REACH Restriction Annex XVII, Thyroid Disruption, Breast Milk Monitoring (2010) (2010) — 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 →