Baby Safety / Compounds / PABA

Is PABA 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 PABA, 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 paba?

The IUPAC name is 4-aminobenzoic acid.

Also known as: 4-aminobenzoic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid, p-aminobenzoic acid, 3-((1-(Ethoxycarbonyl)-3-phenylpropyl)amino)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2-oxo-1H-1-benzazepine-1-acetic acid.

IUPAC name
4-aminobenzoic acid
CAS number
150-13-0
Molecular formula
C7H7NO2
Molecular weight
137.14 g/mol
SMILES
CCOC(=O)C(CCC1=CC=CC=C1)NC2CCC3=CC=CC=C3N(C2=O)CC(=O)O
PubChem CID
2311

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of PABA, 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.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of PABA, 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

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

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_Cosmetics_Regulation——Banned in EU cosmetics as of 2001; identified as high sensitization risk
FDA_OTC——Removed from FDA monograph due to widespread allergenic reactions and sensitization

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 paba

  • legacy_sunscreens
  • historical_formulations

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to PABA:

  • Mineral UV filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) — no systemic absorption
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Newer-generation organic filters with lower skin penetration (e.g., bisoctrizole)
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
  • UPF-rated clothing and physical sun protection
    Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

What products contain paba?

PABA appears in: legacy sunscreens; historical formulations.

See PABA in the baby app

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

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 2311 — database
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 150-13-0 — 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 →