Baby Safety / Compounds / Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2)

Is Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2) safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

Infants accumulate Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2) through breast milk (bioconcentration), placental transfer, and dust ingestion. Persistent pollutants concentrate in fatty tissues with extended half-lives in developing organisms.

What is hexachlorobiphenyl (cas 35065-28-2)?

Also known as: 2,2',3,4,4',5'-HEXACHLOROBIPHENYL, PCB 138, 1,2,3-trichloro-4-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)benzene, 2,2',3,4,4',5'-Hexachloro-1,1'-biphenyl.

CAS number
35065-28-2
Molecular formula
C12H4Cl6
Molecular weight
360.9 g/mol
SMILES
C1=CC(=C(C(=C1C2=CC(=C(C=C2Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl
PubChem CID
37035

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Infants accumulate Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2) through breast milk (bioconcentration), placental transfer, and dust ingestion. Persistent pollutants concentrate in fatty tissues with extended half-lives in developing organisms.

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.

What to do: 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.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EDC Assessment—Confirmed endocrine disruptor

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 hexachlorobiphenyl (cas 35065-28-2)

  • Food Chain — fish, dairy, meat (bioaccumulation)

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2):

  • N/A — exposure reduction
    Trade-offs: Exposure reduction does not eliminate the hazard but lowers risk to acceptable levels when alternatives are not available or practical. Requires ongoing monitoring and compliance.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is hexachlorobiphenyl (cas 35065-28-2) safe for kids?

Infants accumulate Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2) through breast milk (bioconcentration), placental transfer, and dust ingestion. Persistent pollutants concentrate in fatty tissues with extended half-lives in developing organisms.

What products contain hexachlorobiphenyl (cas 35065-28-2)?

Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2) appears in: fish (Food chain); dairy (Food chain).

What should I do if my child is exposed to hexachlorobiphenyl (cas 35065-28-2)?

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.

See Hexachlorobiphenyl (CAS 35065-28-2) in the baby app

Look up products containing hexachlorobiphenyl (cas 35065-28-2), 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 →