VeriMomShould I Avoid captan During Pregnancy? | VeriMom
Captan has been flagged as a suspected reproductive hazard (H361-level concern reported in regulatory dossiers and SDSs) and animal/experimental studies report effects on reproductive tissues (mouse ovarian disruption, decreased fertility in some rodent studies). Mechanistic studies show mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in oocytes (demonstrated in vivo/in vitro). For topical/cosmetic use dermal absorption is reported to be very low (<1% per hour in regulatory assessments and human toxicokinetic studies), so exposure from cosmetic topical use is low but measurable. Sources: PubMed (mouse ovarian study), EPA/NPIC summaries, human toxicokinetic/dermal studies and occupational assessments.
ECHA regulatory hazard statements
- •H351
- •H361F
What to use instead
Pregnancy-safe ingredients that serve a similar function:
FAQ
- Is captan safe during pregnancy?
- Captan has been flagged as a suspected reproductive hazard (H361-level concern reported in regulatory dossiers and SDSs) and animal/experimental studies report effects on reproductive tissues (mouse ovarian disruption, decreased fertility in some rodent studies). Mechanistic studies show mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in oocytes (demonstrated in vivo/in vitro). For topical/cosmetic use dermal absorption is reported to be very low (<1% per hour in regulatory assessments and human toxicokinetic studies), so exposure from cosmetic topical use is low but measurable. Sources: PubMed (mouse ovarian study), EPA/NPIC summaries, human toxicokinetic/dermal studies and occupational assessments.
- Is captan safe while breastfeeding?
- Hazard and mechanism same rationale as for pregnancy (animal reproductive effects and mechanistic evidence). Dermal absorption from topical application is low (human toxicokinetic data and EPA/NPIC assessments), and while captan metabolites have been detected in animal milk in some studies, human milk transfer data are sparse — exposure via maternal topical use is therefore low but measurable. Sources: NPIC/EPA summaries, human dermal toxicokinetic study, animal milk data.
- Is captan safe for baby skin?
- Hazard (H361-level/suspected reproductive/developmental effects) and mechanistic findings apply (animal reproductive/ovarian effects, demonstrated oocyte toxicity). Dermal absorption for adults is low but measurable; per your scoring rules, infant skin exposure is increased by +1 because infant skin has higher permeability and higher surface-area-to-weight, so exposure for a baby (0–3 yr) is moderate. There is no infant-specific evidence to raise hazard or mechanism scores beyond the adult evidence. Sources: human dermal/tokinetic studies, EPA/NPIC, PubMed reproductive/toxicology studies.
- How does VeriMom score captan?
- VeriMom scores captan at 20/100 (high risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.
- What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to captan?
- See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to captan based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.
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Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Safety scores are based on publicly available data and may not reflect all risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.