Is Hexachloroethane 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 Hexachloroethane, 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 hexachloroethane?
The IUPAC name is 1,1,1,2,2,2-hexachloroethane.
Also known as: 1,1,1,2,2,2-hexachloroethane, Perchloroethane, Ethane, hexachloro-, Avlothane.
- IUPAC name
- 1,1,1,2,2,2-hexachloroethane
- CAS number
- 67-72-1
- Molecular formula
- C2Cl6
- Molecular weight
- 236.7 g/mol
- SMILES
- C(C(Cl)(Cl)Cl)(Cl)(Cl)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 6214
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Hexachloroethane, 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Hexachloroethane, 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
15 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Hexachloroethane. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1999 | Group 2B | |
| US EPA | 1991 | probable human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / NIOSH | — | potential occupational carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | Likely to be carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group C Possible Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 3 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 3 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: SkinIrr2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 3 (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Not classified (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 hexachloroethane
- 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 Hexachloroethane:
-
Process redesign to avoid hazardous intermediates
Trade-offs: May require significant R&D investment. Not always feasible.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
What products contain hexachloroethane?
Hexachloroethane appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
Why do regulators disagree about hexachloroethane?
Hexachloroethane has been classified by 15 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / NIOSH, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, 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 Hexachloroethane in the baby app
Look up products containing hexachloroethane, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- IARC Monographs Volume 73: Hexachloroethane — Group 2B; Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Female Mice; Inadequate Human Evidence; Metal Refining and Military Smoke Applications (1999) — iarc_monograph
- Stockholm Convention: Hexachloroethane Listed Under Review as POP — Persistence, Bioaccumulation, Toxicity Criteria; Military and Industrial Sources; Annex A Consideration (2009) — regulatory
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile: Hexachloroethane — Hepatotoxicity, Carcinogenicity in Mice, Military Smoke Munitions, Aluminum Refining Exposure, Aquatic Bioaccumulation (1996) — 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 →