Is TCP (Tricresyl phosphate) safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kids(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human child context.) Developing nervous system may be more susceptible to neurotoxic effects. Exposure through mouthing plastic objects is a concern.
What is tcp (tricresyl phosphate)?
TCP (Tricresyl phosphate) is a organophosphate, plasticizer, flame retardant.
The IUPAC name is tris(methylphenyl) phosphate.
Also known as: TCP, Tricresyl phosphate, tritolyl phosphate, phosphoric acid tricresyl ester.
- IUPAC name
- tris(methylphenyl) phosphate
- CAS number
- 1330-78-5
- Molecular formula
- C21H21O4P
- Molecular weight
- 368.36 g/mol
- SMILES
- O=P(OC1=CC=C(C)C=C1)(OC2=CC=C(C)C=C2)OC3=CC=C(C)C=C3
Risk for babies
Moderate riskDeveloping nervous system may be more susceptible to neurotoxic effects. Exposure through mouthing plastic objects is a concern.
Children's developing nervous systems are generally more vulnerable to neurotoxic insult. Hand-to-mouth behavior increases potential exposure from plasticized materials and contaminated dust. However, TCP content in consumer products has been substantially reduced in modern formulations.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
High riskSuspected reproductive toxicant. Neurodevelopmental concerns for fetus.
TCP is classified H361 (suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child). Organophosphate compounds can cross the placental barrier. The developing fetal nervous system is particularly vulnerable to neurotoxic insult during critical developmental windows. Some TCP isomers have shown estrogenic activity in vitro.
Regulatory consensus
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified TCP (Tricresyl phosphate). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU REACH | — | SVHC (Substance of Very High Concern) — tri-ortho isomer | TOCP (CAS 78-30-8) listed as SVHC under REACH. Mixed TCP (1330-78-5) regulated via TOCP content limits. |
| OSHA | — | PEL: 0.1 mg/m³ (skin notation) | OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit with skin designation indicating significant dermal absorption potential |
| ACGIH | — | TLV-TWA: 0.1 mg/m³ (skin notation) | ACGIH Threshold Limit Value — 8-hour time-weighted average |
| EU CLP | — | Repr. 2 (H361), STOT RE 1 (H372 — nervous system) | Classified as suspected reproductive toxicant and confirmed specific target organ toxicant (repeated exposure, nervous system) |
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 tcp (tricresyl phosphate)
- aircraft hydraulic fluid
- jet engine oil (Mobil Jet Oil II and similar)
- aircraft cabin air (during fume events via bleed air system)
- vinyl plastic (as plasticizer)
- flame retardant formulations
- synthetic lubricants
- industrial hydraulic fluids
- lacquers and varnishes (historically)
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to TCP (Tricresyl phosphate):
- Tributyl phosphate (TBP)
- Non-organophosphate flame retardants
Frequently asked questions
What products contain tcp (tricresyl phosphate)?
TCP (Tricresyl phosphate) appears in: aircraft hydraulic fluid; jet engine oil (Mobil Jet Oil II and similar); aircraft cabin air (during fume events via bleed air system).
Why do regulators disagree about tcp (tricresyl phosphate)?
TCP (Tricresyl phosphate) has been classified by 4 agencies including EU REACH, OSHA, ACGIH, EU CLP, 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 TCP (Tricresyl phosphate) in the baby app
Look up products containing tcp (tricresyl phosphate), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataReference 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 →