Baby Safety / Compounds / TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate)

Is TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) safe for babies and kids?

Very high risk for kids

Infants face disproportionate exposure to TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.

What is tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate)?

The IUPAC name is tris(1,3-dichloropropan-2-yl) phosphate.

Also known as: tris(1,3-dichloropropan-2-yl) phosphate, TDCPP, Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate, TRIS(1,3-DICHLORO-2-PROPYL) PHOSPHATE.

IUPAC name: tris(1,3-dichloropropan-2-yl) phosphate
CAS number: 13674-87-8
Molecular formula: C9H15Cl6O4P
Molecular weight: 430.9 g/mol
SMILES: C(C(CCl)OP(=O)(OC(CCl)CCl)OC(CCl)CCl)Cl
PubChem CID: 26177

Risk for babies

Very high risk

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.

What to do: 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.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

High risk

Prenatal exposure to TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) through dust inhalation and dietary intake can affect fetal thyroid function and neurodevelopment. Flame retardants accumulate in breast milk.

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.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

8 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate). The classifications differ — that's the data.

Agency	Year	Classification
EPA CTX / CalEPA	—	Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox	—	Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 1 positive / 5 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox	—	Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 1 positive / 5 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye	—	Skin Irritation: SkinIrr2 (score: high)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye	—	Eye Irritation: Not classified (score: low)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye	—	Skin Irritation: Not classified (score: low)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye	—	Skin Sensitization: Not classified (score: low)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye	—	skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA): Not likely to be sensitizing (score: low)

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 tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate)

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 TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate):

Inherently flame-resistant materials (wool, modacrylic, Nomex)
Trade-offs: Higher material cost. Limited color/texture options.

Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Barrier fabric technology
Trade-offs: Adds manufacturing step and cost

Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) safe for kids?

What products contain tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate)?

TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) 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 tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate)?

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 tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate)?

TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) has been classified by 8 agencies including EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 TDCPP (Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate) in the baby app

Look up products containing tdcpp (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)

National Toxicology Program (NTP): Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) Phosphate (TDCPP) — 13th Report on Carcinogens, 'Reasonably Anticipated to Be a Human Carcinogen', Kidney Tumors in Rats, Foam Product Exposure Assessment (2014) (2014) — regulatory
California OEHHA: TDCPP Listed under Proposition 65 as Carcinogen (July 1, 2013); AB 127 Children's Product Restriction 2014; CalEPA Safer Consumer Products TDCPP in Foam Priority; NHANES Urinary BDCPP Biomonitoring (2013) (2013) — 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 →