Is Pyrene 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 Pyrene, 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 pyrene?
Also known as: Benzo[def]phenanthrene, Pyren, beta-Pyrene, Benzo(def)phenanthrene.
- IUPAC name
- pyrene
- CAS number
- 129-00-0
- Molecular formula
- C16H10
- Molecular weight
- 202.25 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1=CC2=C3C(=C1)C=CC4=CC=CC(=C43)C=C2
- PubChem CID
- 31423
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Pyrene, 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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Pyrene, 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.
Regulatory consensus
6 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Pyrene. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | — | Group 3 | |
| EPA CTX / IRIS | — | D (Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity) | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 3 - Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans | |
| EPA CTX / Health Canada | — | Group D: IRIS (not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 4 positive / 14 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 4 positive / 14 negative reports) |
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 pyrene
- 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 Pyrene:
-
Mineral-based or plant-derived pigments
Trade-offs: Narrower color range. May fade faster than synthetic pigments.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
What products contain pyrene?
Pyrene appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
Why do regulators disagree about pyrene?
Pyrene has been classified by 6 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / IRIS, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / Health Canada, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Pyrene in the baby app
Look up products containing pyrene, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- IARC Monographs Volume 92: Some Non-heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Some Related Exposures — Pyrene: Group 3 (Not Classifiable); 1-Hydroxypyrene as PAH Biomarker (2010) — regulatory
- US EPA: Pyrene Group D Classification (Not Classifiable); EPA 16 Priority PAH List; 1-Hydroxypyrene Urinary Biomarker in Occupational PAH Monitoring (1994) — 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 →