Is Propiconazole safe for babies and kids?
Elevated risk for kidsInfants face elevated risk from Propiconazole through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.
What is propiconazole?
The IUPAC name is 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1,2,4-triazole.
Also known as: 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1,2,4-triazole, Desmel, Banner, Orbit.
- IUPAC name
- 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1,2,4-triazole
- CAS number
- 60207-90-1
- Molecular formula
- C15H17Cl2N3O2
- Molecular weight
- 342.2 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCC1COC(O1)(CN2C=NC=N2)C3=C(C=C(C=C3)Cl)Cl
- PubChem CID
- 43234
Risk for babies
Elevated riskInfants face elevated risk from Propiconazole 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Elevated riskPrenatal exposure to Propiconazole 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.
Regulatory consensus
12 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Propiconazole. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA CTX / EPA OPP | — | Group C Possible Human Carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Skin Sens. 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 2B (score: moderate) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: Category 1 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Eye Irritation: Category 6.4A (Category 2A) (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: Category 6.3B (Category 3) (score: moderate) | |
| US_EPA | 2024 | registered | EPA-registered fungicide. |
| EU_REACH | 2019 | non_renewal | EU non-renewal (reproductive toxicity). |
| EFSA | — | ADI 0.04 mg/kg bw/day. ARfD 0.1 mg/kg bw. Part of cumulative triazole assessment | |
| EU BPR | — | Candidate for substitution under BPR due to endocrine disruption concerns. Approved until 2025 with conditions | |
| EPA | — | Registered fungicide/wood preservative under FIFRA. Group C possible human carcinogen |
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 propiconazole
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
- Wood Preservation — Pressure-treated lumber (copper azole formulations), Millwork and joinery treatment, Composite decking preservative
- Agriculture — Cereal crop fungicide (wheat, barley, rice), Turf/golf course fungicide (Banner MAXX), Tree fruit and nut orchards
- Paint And Coatings — In-can paint preservative (anti-fungal), Exterior wood stain fungicide component
- Consumer Products — Deck stains and sealers with mildewcide, Composite lumber preservative system
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Propiconazole:
-
Physical/mechanical pest control (IPM)
Trade-offs: More labor-intensive. May not be sufficient for severe infestations.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Copper-based fungicides
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Bacillus subtilis
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Trichoderma biological control
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Tebuconazole
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
DCOIT (Sea-Nine)
Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is propiconazole safe for kids?
Infants face elevated risk from Propiconazole through dietary residues and environmental drift. Developing organ systems and immature detoxification capacity increase vulnerability.
What products contain propiconazole?
Propiconazole appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments); Pressure-treated lumber (copper azole formulations) (Wood preservation).
What should I do if my child is exposed to propiconazole?
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 propiconazole?
Propiconazole has been classified by 12 agencies including EPA CTX / EPA OPP, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, EPA CTX / Skin-Eye, 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 Propiconazole in the baby app
Look up products containing propiconazole, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- US EPA: Propiconazole Registration Review — Likely Carcinogen Classification (CAR/PXR Mechanism), Dietary Risk Assessment, and Occupational Exposure (2006–2018) (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 →