Is trans-2-Nonenal safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to trans-2-Nonenal than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What is trans-2-nonenal?
The IUPAC name is (E)-non-2-enal.
Also known as: (E)-non-2-enal, 2-NONENAL, 3-Hexylacrolein, beta-Hexylacrolein.
- IUPAC name
- (E)-non-2-enal
- CAS number
- 18829-56-6
- Molecular formula
- C9H16O
- Molecular weight
- 140.22 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCCCCC=CC=O
- PubChem CID
- 5283335
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are more vulnerable to trans-2-Nonenal than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
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
Context-dependentPrenatal exposure to trans-2-Nonenal through personal care products may affect fetal development. Some fragrance chemicals are sensitizers or endocrine-active compounds with transplacental transfer.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified trans-2-Nonenal.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA | 1965 | GRAS | GRAS — naturally occurring aldehyde |
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 trans-2-nonenal
- Food — natural flavoring, fruit/vegetable aroma
- Personal Care — fragrance
-
Fragrance
— perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to trans-2-Nonenal:
-
Nonanal
Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Violet leaf absolute
Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is trans-2-nonenal safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to trans-2-Nonenal than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain trans-2-nonenal?
trans-2-Nonenal appears in: natural flavoring (Food); fruit/vegetable aroma (Food); fragrance (Personal care); perfume (Fragrance); cologne (Fragrance).
What should I do if my child is exposed to trans-2-nonenal?
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.
See trans-2-Nonenal in the baby app
Look up products containing trans-2-nonenal, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database
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 →