Is R-290 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 R-290, 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 r-290?
The IUPAC name is propane.
Also known as: propane, HC-290, natural refrigerant R290, n-Propane.
- IUPAC name
- propane
- CAS number
- 74-98-6
- Molecular formula
- C3H8
- Molecular weight
- 44.1 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCC
- PubChem CID
- 6334
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of R-290, 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 R-290, 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
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified R-290. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU_CLP | — | Flammable Gas 1 (A3) | H220: Extremely flammable gas; requires specialized safety systems |
| Montreal_Protocol | — | — | Natural refrigerant; ODP = 0; GWP = 3 (extremely low); approved as zero-ODP alternative |
| EU_F-Gas_Regulation | — | — | Approved natural refrigerant; no charge limits for equipment with <5kg charge |
| ISO_817 | — | — | A3 (lower flammability) classification; safety regulations mandate certified installation |
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 r-290
- domestic refrigerators
- freezers
- small AC units
- emerging eco-friendly systems
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to R-290:
-
Low-GWP HFO refrigerants (e.g., R-1234yf, R-1234ze)
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×
Frequently asked questions
What products contain r-290?
R-290 appears in: domestic refrigerators; freezers; small AC units.
Why do regulators disagree about r-290?
R-290 has been classified by 4 agencies including EU_CLP, Montreal_Protocol, EU_F-Gas_Regulation, ISO_817, 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 R-290 in the baby app
Look up products containing r-290, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- PubChem Compound CID 6334 — database
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 74-98-6 — 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 →