Baby Safety / Compounds / Metolachlor (S-metolachlor)

Is Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants face elevated risk from Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.

What is metolachlor (s-metolachlor)?

Also known as: metolachlor, Pennant, Codal, Dual.

CAS number
51218-45-2
Molecular formula
C15H22ClNO2
Molecular weight
283.79 g/mol
SMILES
CCC1=CC=CC(=C1N(C(C)COC)C(=O)CCl)C
PubChem CID
4169

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants face elevated risk from Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.

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

Elevated risk

Prenatal exposure to Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) is a concern due to potential endocrine disruption and developmental toxicity. Agricultural communities show higher gestational exposure through drinking water.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Metolachlor (S-metolachlor).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EDC Assessment—Suspected 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 metolachlor (s-metolachlor)

  • Agricultural Products — crop treatment, soil application
  • Food Chain — residue on produce, water contamination

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Metolachlor (S-metolachlor):

  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM); Biopesticides; Biological control
    Trade-offs: Combines biological, cultural, and targeted chemical controls; reduces overall chemical use 30-70%; requires trained practitioners and monitoring infrastructure; higher management complexity; proven effective at scale in many crop systems.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is metolachlor (s-metolachlor) safe for kids?

Infants face elevated risk from Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.

What products contain metolachlor (s-metolachlor)?

Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) appears in: crop treatment (Agricultural products); soil application (Agricultural products); residue on produce (Food chain); water contamination (Food chain).

What should I do if my child is exposed to metolachlor (s-metolachlor)?

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 Metolachlor (S-metolachlor) in the baby app

Look up products containing metolachlor (s-metolachlor), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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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 →