Should I Avoid pyrethrins During Pregnancy? | VeriMom

What to use instead

Pregnancy-safe ingredients that serve a similar function:

FAQ

Is pyrethrins safe during pregnancy?

ECHA lists pyrethrins (CAS 8003-34-7) with a harmonised/regulated concern for reproductive effects (H361, “suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child”), which supports a suspected reproductive hazard (h=2). Peer‑reviewed epidemiology shows associations between maternal pyrethroid exposure and altered neonatal/infant neurobehavior and placental gene-expression changes, supporting a demonstrated mechanistic effect on the placenta/fetal environment (m=2). For typical topical cosmetic use dermal absorption is low but measurable, so exposure from cosmetic use is scored as low (e=1). ([echa.europa.eu](https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.029.379?utm_source=openai))

Is pyrethrins safe while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding: evidence shows pyrethrins/pyrethroids can be detected in breastmilk after environmental/agricultural exposures and LactMed notes residues have been found in breastmilk after extensive exposure; this supports suspected hazard (h=2). Mechanistic evidence for direct lactational transfer is present but less well‑characterized than placental effects, so mechanism is scored as theoretical/demonstrated but limited (m=1). Typical topical cosmetic use would give low but measurable maternal exposure and thus low infant exposure via milk (e=1). ([ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501633/?utm_source=openai))

Is pyrethrins safe for baby skin?

Infant (0–3 yr) skin: the hazard assessment follows the parental H361/suspected reproductive/developmental concerns (h=2). No strong infant‑specific mechanistic data that would change the hazard score (m=1). Exposure is elevated for baby skin relative to adults because of immature barrier and higher surface‑area‑to‑weight; adult exposure scored as low (e=1) is increased by +1 for baby skin (e=2). Practical implication: avoid intentional application to infant skin; incidental trace residues are lower risk but not zero. ([echa.europa.eu](https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.029.379?utm_source=openai))

How does VeriMom score pyrethrins?

VeriMom scores pyrethrins 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 pyrethrins?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to pyrethrins based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.