Baby Safety / Compounds / Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)

Is Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) safe for babies and kids?

High risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) 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 urethane dimethacrylate (udma)?

The IUPAC name is 2-[[3,5,5-trimethyl-6-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethoxycarbonylamino]hexyl]carbamoyloxy]ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate.

Also known as: 2-[[3,5,5-trimethyl-6-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethoxycarbonylamino]hexyl]carbamoyloxy]ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate, Di-2-methacryloxyethyl 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylenedicarbamate, Triad gel, EINECS 276-957-5.

IUPAC name
2-[[3,5,5-trimethyl-6-[2-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)ethoxycarbonylamino]hexyl]carbamoyloxy]ethyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate
CAS number
72869-86-4
Molecular formula
C23H38N2O8
Molecular weight
470.6 g/mol
SMILES
CC(CCNC(=O)OCCOC(=O)C(=C)C)CC(C)(C)CNC(=O)OCCOC(=O)C(=C)C
PubChem CID
170472

Risk for babies

High risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) 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.

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

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA), 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.

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 Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: negative (Ames: negative, 0 positive / 2 negative reports)

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 urethane dimethacrylate (udma)

  • Dental Materials — Dental composites, Dental cements, Orthodontic adhesives

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA):

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

Frequently asked questions

Is urethane dimethacrylate (udma) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) 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 urethane dimethacrylate (udma)?

Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) appears in: Dental composites (Dental materials); Dental cements (Dental materials).

What should I do if my child is exposed to urethane dimethacrylate (udma)?

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 Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) in the baby app

Look up products containing urethane dimethacrylate (udma), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (3)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 170472 — database
  2. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID80894601 — epa
  3. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 72869-86-4 — 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 →