Baby Safety / Compounds / Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)

Is Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants may be exposed to Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

What is triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tegdma)?

The IUPAC name is 2-[2-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate.

Also known as: 2-[2-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate, TRIETHYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHACRYLATE, Tedma, NK ester 3G.

IUPAC name
2-[2-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate
CAS number
109-16-0
Molecular formula
C14H22O6
Molecular weight
286.32 g/mol
SMILES
CC(=C)C(=O)OCCOCCOCCOC(=O)C(C)=C
PubChem CID
7979

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants may be exposed to Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

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

Context-dependent

Prenatal exposure to residual Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) from food-contact materials is a concern due to potential developmental toxicity. Monomers may leach from plastics at elevated temperatures.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

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

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
GHS—Skin hazard

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 triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tegdma)

  • Dental Materials — Dental composites, Dental sealants, Dental adhesives

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA):

  • Bio-based polymer alternatives where available
    Trade-offs: Performance limitations. End-of-life complexity.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tegdma) safe for kids?

Infants may be exposed to Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) through residual monomer migration from food-contact plastics, bottles, and packaging. Immature hepatic conjugation and renal clearance prolong internal exposure.

What products contain triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tegdma)?

Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) appears in: Dental composites (Dental materials); Dental sealants (Dental materials).

What should I do if my child is exposed to triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tegdma)?

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 Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in the baby app

Look up products containing triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (tegdma), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (3)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 7979 — database
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID3029607 — epa
  3. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 109-16-0 — 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 →