Baby Safety / Compounds / Microcystin-LR

Is Microcystin-LR safe for babies and kids?

Severe risk for kids

Infants are highly susceptible to Microcystin-LR due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What is microcystin-lr?

The IUPAC name is (5R,8S,11R,12S,15S,18S,19S,22R)-15-[3-(diaminomethylideneamino)propyl]-18-[(1E,3E,5S,6S)-6-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-7-phenylhepta-1,3-dienyl]-1,5,12,19-tetramethyl-2-methylidene-8-(2-methylpropyl)-3,6,9,13,16,20,25-heptaoxo-1,4,7,10,14,17,21-heptazacyclopentacosane-11,22-dicarboxylic acid.

Also known as: (5R,8S,11R,12S,15S,18S,19S,22R)-15-[3-(diaminomethylideneamino)propyl]-18-[(1E,3E,5S,6S)-6-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-7-phenylhepta-1,3-dienyl]-1,5,12,19-tetramethyl-2-methylidene-8-(2-methylpropyl)-3,6,9,13,16,20,25-heptaoxo-1,4,7,10,14,17,21-heptazacyclopentacosane-11,22-dicarboxylic acid, Microcystin LR, Cyanoginosin LR, Cyanoginosin-LR.

IUPAC name
(5R,8S,11R,12S,15S,18S,19S,22R)-15-[3-(diaminomethylideneamino)propyl]-18-[(1E,3E,5S,6S)-6-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-7-phenylhepta-1,3-dienyl]-1,5,12,19-tetramethyl-2-methylidene-8-(2-methylpropyl)-3,6,9,13,16,20,25-heptaoxo-1,4,7,10,14,17,21-heptazacyclopentacosane-11,22-dicarboxylic acid
CAS number
101043-37-2
Molecular formula
C49H74N10O12
Molecular weight
995.2 g/mol
SMILES
CC1C(NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(C(NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(=C)N(C(=O)CCC(NC1=O)C(=O)O)C)C)CC(C)C)C(=O)O)C)CCCN=C(N)N)C=CC(=CC(C)C(CC2=CC=CC=C2)OC)C
PubChem CID
445434

Risk for babies

Severe risk

Infants are highly susceptible to Microcystin-LR due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

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

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Microcystin-LR, 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.

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 Microcystin-LR.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / IARC—Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans

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 microcystin-lr

  • 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 Microcystin-LR:

  • Avoidance (no chemical substitute)
    Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is microcystin-lr safe for kids?

Infants are highly susceptible to Microcystin-LR due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.

What products contain microcystin-lr?

Microcystin-LR 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 microcystin-lr?

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 Microcystin-LR in the baby app

Look up products containing microcystin-lr, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (4)
  1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algae) Toxicosis in Companion Animals — Microcystin Hepatotoxicity (2022) — report
  2. US EPA: Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water — Health Advisories for Microcystins and Cylindrospermopsin (2015) — regulatory
  3. WHO: Cyanobacterial Toxins — Microcystin-LR in Drinking Water: Background Document for Development of WHO Guidelines (2003) — regulatory
  4. IARC Monographs Volume 134: Microcystin-LR — Group 2B Evaluation (Possibly Carcinogenic to Humans) (2018) — 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 →