Is Pentachlorophenol (PCP) safe for babies and kids?
Elevated risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Pentachlorophenol (PCP) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What is pentachlorophenol (pcp)?
The IUPAC name is 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenol.
Also known as: 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, Chlorophen, Lauxtol.
- IUPAC name
- 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorophenol
- CAS number
- 87-86-5
- Molecular formula
- C6HCl5O
- Molecular weight
- 266.3 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1(=C(C(=C(C(=C1Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)Cl)O
- PubChem CID
- 992
Risk for babies
Elevated riskInfants are more vulnerable to Pentachlorophenol (PCP) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
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 riskPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Pentachlorophenol (PCP), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
Known reproductive toxicant (GHS H360) or confirmed endocrine disruptor. Placental transfer is presumed. Fetal exposure during critical developmental windows may cause structural malformations, growth restriction, or functional deficits.
Regulatory consensus
16 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Pentachlorophenol (PCP). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | Likely to be carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / NTP RoC | — | Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 1 - Carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group B2 Probable Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 3 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 3 positive / 7 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2A-2B (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Eye Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Skin Irrit. 2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3A (Category 2) (score: high) |
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 pentachlorophenol (pcp)
- 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 Pentachlorophenol (PCP):
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: Variable; lower long-term
Frequently asked questions
Is pentachlorophenol (pcp) safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Pentachlorophenol (PCP) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain pentachlorophenol (pcp)?
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) 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 pentachlorophenol (pcp)?
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 pentachlorophenol (pcp)?
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) has been classified by 16 agencies including EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / NTP RoC, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / CalEPA, 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 Pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the baby app
Look up products containing pentachlorophenol (pcp), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- IARC Monographs Volume 117: Some Chemicals Used as Solvents and in Polymer Manufacture — Pentachlorophenol Group 1 (non-Hodgkin lymphoma; hepatocellular carcinoma); wood preservative occupational exposure; TCHQ genotoxic metabolite (2019) (2019) — 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 →