Is Antimony Trioxide safe when eaten by a child?

Antimony trioxide is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 2B) and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen by the US National Toxicology Program (NTP).

Why here

Antimony trioxide is used as a flame retardant in children's products (e.g., textiles, plastics, toys) and as a catalyst in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which is used for food and beverage packaging. Children can be exposed through ingestion by chewing on products or through the leaching of antimony into food and water, especially from PET containers at elevated temperatures.

What would have to be true

Ingestion from children's products or from food/water contaminated by antimony leaching from plastic packaging, particularly at temperatures above 110 °F (43 °C).

Ingestion of antimony trioxide can cause acute gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, with cases reported from leaching into acidic beverages.

Why here

Children may directly ingest antimony trioxide from products or consume food/beverages where antimony has leached, particularly from acidic substances or certain containers (e.g., enamel-coated).

What would have to be true

Acute ingestion of antimony trioxide, or antimony compounds leached into acidic beverages at concentrations such as 13 mg/L, which has caused illness in children. The EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for antimony in drinking water is 0.006 mg/L.

Antimony exposure has been linked in animal studies to developmental effects, such as decreased growth, and can transfer from mother to fetus and through breast milk.

Why here

Children, including those in utero and infants, can be exposed through maternal transfer or ingestion of antimony-containing products.

What would have to be true

Transplacental or breast milk transfer, or ingestion of antimony-containing products.

Inhalation of antimony trioxide is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Why here

This applies to inhalation because animal studies have shown lung tumors and other cancers following inhalation exposure, and human epidemiological studies have reported associations with lung cancer in occupational settings.

What would have to be true

Occupational exposure to airborne antimony trioxide dust and fumes, or general population exposure to fine dust from flame-retardant-treated products. For occupational settings, risks are estimated at concentrations such as the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 0.5 mg/m³ (resulting in 96 extra cancer cases per 1000 exposed workers over 40 years) or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) proposed Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 0.02 mg/m³ for respirable particles. California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has an No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) of 0.13 micrograms per day for inhalation.

Inhalation of antimony trioxide dusts and fumes can cause irritation to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes, leading to symptoms such as cough, headache, nausea, sore throat, rhinitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, and chronic lung conditions like pneumoconiosis.

Why here

This applies to inhalation as the substance directly contacts and irritates the respiratory system upon breathing.

What would have to be true

Occupational exposure to airborne dusts and fumes of antimony trioxide, or general population exposure to fine dust.

Inhalation exposure to antimony trioxide has been linked to reproductive and developmental effects, with reports of higher incidences of spontaneous abortion, premature births, and menstrual disorders in occupationally exposed women.

Why here

This applies to inhalation as the absorbed antimony can affect the reproductive system.

What would have to be true

Occupational exposure to antimony aerosols.

Antimony trioxide is classified as a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B) and is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen by the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP). California also lists antimony trioxide as a chemical that can cause cancer and has restricted its use in certain consumer products.

Why here

Antimony trioxide is used as a flame retardant in consumer products such as upholstered furniture, textiles, carpeting, and children's products, from which it can migrate into indoor air and house dust.

What would have to be true

Inhalation of antimony trioxide particles and dust released from flame-retardant treated products in indoor environments. An estimated time-averaged exposure concentration from flame-retardant treated upholstery is 0.24 µg/m³.

The other side

The IARC classification (Group 2B) indicates "inadequate evidence for carcinogenicity in humans" but "sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity in experimental animals (by inhalation)".