Is coal tar safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to coal tar | VeriMom

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See also

• Is coal tar safe for babies?
• Should I avoid coal tar during pregnancy?
• What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to coal tar?

Frequently asked questions

Is coal tar safe during pregnancy?

Coal tar (CAS 8007-45-2) is not harmonised for reproductive toxicity (no H360/H361 found) but animal studies and toxicological profiles report developmental/reproductive effects after exposure to coal-tar/creosote mixtures, so reproductive hazard is suspected rather than confirmed. Dermal absorption and transfer of coal-tar constituents have been demonstrated in toxicokinetic and clinical reports, supporting a plausible mechanism for fetal exposure; topical medical use produces measurable systemic uptake. ECHA lists coal tar with serious health classifications (H350, carcinogenic), and ATSDR/technical reviews document animal developmental toxicity. ([echa.europa.eu](https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.029.417?utm_source=openai))

Is coal tar safe while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding: evidence is limited but there are clinical reports showing maternal treatment with coal tar results in measurable infant exposure (urine detection), and animal reproductive/developmental data raise concern, so suspected hazard (h=2). Mechanistically, components are absorbed and can be transferred; measured infant biomarkers have been reported. Typical topical cosmetic/medicinal dermal use leads to low but measurable exposure in milk/infant (e=1). ([ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501615/?utm_source=openai))

Is coal tar safe for baby skin?

For infants (0–3 yr) the underlying hazard and mechanism are the same as for adults (no infant-specific evidence to change h or m), but immature skin and higher surface-area-to-weight increase likely exposure — therefore exposure score increased by +1 to e=3 (high bioavailability relative to adult topical use). Animal data show developmental effects after dermal exposure and toxicological reviews document dermal absorption of coal-tar related mixtures. ([ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK606215/?utm_source=openai))

How does VeriMom score coal tar?

VeriMom scores coal tar at 13/100 (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 coal tar?

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