Is Lead chromate safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are extremely vulnerable to Lead chromate due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Even trace exposure can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental harm.
What is lead chromate?
The IUPAC name is dioxido(dioxo)chromium;lead(2+).
Also known as: dioxido(dioxo)chromium;lead(2+), Lead(II) chromate, Plumbous chromate, Chromate de plomb.
- IUPAC name
- dioxido(dioxo)chromium;lead(2+)
- CAS number
- 7758-97-6
- Molecular formula
- CrO4Pb
- Molecular weight
- 323.0 g/mol
- SMILES
- [Pb++].[O-][Cr]([O-])(=O)=O
- PubChem CID
- 24460
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are extremely vulnerable to Lead chromate due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Even trace exposure can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental harm.
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
High riskGHS Danger classification. Classified for reproductive toxicity.
Regulatory consensus
2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Lead chromate. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: None, 6 positive / 0 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: None, 6 positive / 0 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 lead chromate
- Contaminated Water — Mining site runoff, Industrial discharge, Old infrastructure
- Food Chain — Fish from contaminated waters, Crops in contaminated soil
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Lead chromate:
-
Mineral-based or plant-derived pigments
Trade-offs: Narrower color range. May fade faster than synthetic pigments.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
Is lead chromate safe for kids?
Infants are extremely vulnerable to Lead chromate due to immature blood-brain barrier, higher gastrointestinal absorption rates (40-50% vs 3-10% in adults), and rapidly developing neurology. Even trace exposure can cause irreversible neurodevelopmental harm.
What products contain lead chromate?
Lead chromate appears in: Mining site runoff (Contaminated water); Industrial discharge (Contaminated water); Fish from contaminated waters (Food chain); Crops in contaminated soil (Food chain).
What should I do if my child is exposed to lead chromate?
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 Lead chromate in the baby app
Look up products containing lead chromate, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (3)
- PubChem Compound CID 24460 — database
- EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID1064792 — epa
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 7758-97-6 — reference
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 →