Baby Safety / Compounds / Isophorone

Is Isophorone safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants may be exposed to Isophorone through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

What is isophorone?

The IUPAC name is 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one.

Also known as: 3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one, Isoacetophorone, Isoforone, Isoforon.

IUPAC name
3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one
CAS number
78-59-1
Molecular formula
C9H14O
Molecular weight
138.21 g/mol
SMILES
CC1=CC(=O)CC(C1)(C)C
PubChem CID
6544

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants may be exposed to Isophorone through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

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

Prenatal exposure to residual Isophorone from food-contact materials is a concern due to potential developmental toxicity. Monomers may leach from plastics at elevated temperatures.

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

6 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Isophorone. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
US EPA / IARC (Isophorone — 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one — US EPA Group C possible human carcinogen (1989 IRIS assessment, pre-2005 guidelines); IARC Group 3 — not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans (Vol 47, 1989); US EPA IRIS chronic oral RfD 0.2 mg/kg/day; CERCLA hazardous substance priority list; hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic at high doses in rodents; industrial ketone solvent for paints, lacquers, and coatings; detected in surface water and groundwater near industrial discharge sites; occupational inhalation limit OSHA PEL 25 ppm; not classified by NTP or EFSA for carcinogenicity)1989US EPA Group C possible human carcinogen (pre-2005 assessment); IARC Group 3 not classifiable; US EPA IRIS chronic oral RfD 0.2 mg/kg/day; CERCLA priority hazardous substance; hepatotoxic nephrotoxic at high doses; industrial ketone solvent; not classified by NTP or EFSA for carcinogenicity
EPA CTX / IRIS—C (Possible human carcinogen)
EPA CTX / IARC—Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans
EPA CTX / EPA OPP—Group C Possible Human Carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 15 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 15 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 isophorone

  • 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 Isophorone:

  • Fragrance-free formulations
    Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented products
    Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
  • Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
    Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizers
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is isophorone safe for kids?

Infants may be exposed to Isophorone through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

What products contain isophorone?

Isophorone 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 isophorone?

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 isophorone?

Isophorone has been classified by 6 agencies including US EPA / IARC (Isophorone — 3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one — US EPA Group C possible human carcinogen (1989 IRIS assessment, pre-2005 guidelines); IARC Group 3 — not classifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans (Vol 47, 1989); US EPA IRIS chronic oral RfD 0.2 mg/kg/day; CERCLA hazardous substance priority list; hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic at high doses in rodents; industrial ketone solvent for paints, lacquers, and coatings; detected in surface water and groundwater near industrial discharge sites; occupational inhalation limit OSHA PEL 25 ppm; not classified by NTP or EFSA for carcinogenicity), EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, 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 Isophorone in the baby app

Look up products containing isophorone, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. US EPA IRIS 1989 Isophorone Group C Possible Human Carcinogen RfD 0.2 mg/kg/day; IARC Group 3 Vol 47 1989; CERCLA Hazardous Substance; Hepatotoxic Nephrotoxic High Doses Rodents; α,β-Unsaturated Ketone Skin Sensitizer; OSHA PEL 25 ppm; IPDI Polyurethane Precursor Solvent (1989) — 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 →