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High Priority Chemicals of Concern for Children's Health

The table below lists Oregon's 73 high priority chemicals of concern for children’s health, as required by the Toxic-Free Kids Act passed in 2015. The table includes information about the potential health effects caused by exposure to these chemicals. The Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) registry number is listed for each chemical; this number is universally used to provide a unique, unmistakable identifier for a chemical substance.

The Oregon Health Authority's Toxic-Free Kids program will be gathering information from manufacturers that use these chemicals in their children's products to help fill a data gap that exists for both consumers and agencies. The presence of these chemicals in a product does not necessarily mean the product will harm a child’s health, or that there is any violation of existing safety standards or laws.

Per ORS 431A.258, manufacturers must provide biennial notice to OHA of children's products sold in Oregon that are covered by the Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act and contain HPCCCH in the final product that is at or above de minims. Per ORS 431A.253, de minimis concentrations for "intentionally added" HPCCCH are those at or above practical quantification limits (PQL). The PQLs for  HPCCCHs vary and are found in OAR 333-016-2035 Exhibit A. De minimis for a HPCCCH as a contaminant is a concentration of 100 parts per million. "Intentionally added chemical" and "contaminant" are defined in ORS 431A.253.

Learn about program rules and implementation.

High Priority Chemicals of Concern for Children's Health (HPCCCH)

Chemical name Potential ACUTE
health effects
(sudden or short-term)
Potential CHRONIC
health effects
(over time or long-term)
CAS number
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane Nervous system effects Cancer of the blood system (includes spleen, bone marrow, kidney and liver) 79-34-5
1,4-Dioxane Upper respiratory irritant; central nervous system effects Liver and kidney cancers; gallbladder and nervous and digestive system effects 123-91-1
Decabromodiphenyl ether;                 (BDE-209)
  Thyroid, liver, nervous and immune system effects; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic 1163-19-5
2,4-Diaminotoluene

Severe eye and skin irritation; nose and throat irritant Liver, breast, and skin cancers; reproductive, blood, cardiovacular and nervous system effects;may damage DNA in cells 95-80-7
2-Aminotoluene

(Also called ortho-toluidine)  
  Bladder and liver cancers 95-53-4
2-Ethylhexanoic acid           


  Developmental effects; reproductive and respiratory system effects 149-57-5
2-Ethyl-hexyl-4-methoxycinnamate

(Also called octinoxate.)
  Endocrine disruptor; has estrogenic properties; thyroid effects 5466-77-3
2-Ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) Reproductive, developmental, neurological, and thyroid effects. Early-onset female puberty. Affects heart valves; persistent and bioaccumulative 183658-27-7
2-Methoxyethanol Eyes and respiratory system effects Long-term exposure can cause fatigue, nausea, tremors and anemia;blood, kidneys, central nervous system and hematopoietic system (bone marrow stem cells) effects; developmental effects (including low birth weight and miscarriage); reproductive system effects, including fertility, sperm, and male gonads 109-86-4
3,3’-Dimethylbenzidine and Dyes Metabolized to 3,3’-Dimethylbenzidine

(Also called ortho-Tolidine.)
  Cancers of multiple sites, including skin, liver, mouth, intestinal tract, lung and breast 119-93-7
4-Nonylphenol; 4-NP and its isomer mixtures   Endocrine disruption; estrogen signaling effects; sperm quality and female reproductive system effects 104-40-5;
84852-15-3; and
25154-52-3
4-tert-Octylphenol

(Also called 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutylphenol.)
  Endocrine disruption; nervous and reproductive system effects; developmental effects 140-66-9
Acetaldehyde   Nose andlarynx cancers; developmental effects 75-07-0
Acrylonitrile Headaches and nausea Breast, digestive tract, central nervous system effects; lung, prostate, tongue and other cancers; developmental effects 107-13-1
Aniline Dizziness and headaches; eye and skin irritant; methemoglobinemia Cancers of the blood system, which includes the spleen, bone marrow, kidney and liver; methemoglobinemia 62-53-3
Antimony and Antimony compounds Eye irritation; skin and gastrointestinal system effects Lung cancer; eye irritation; respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive and cardiovascular system effects; skin effects; may damage DNA in cells 7440-36-0
Arsenic and Arsenic compounds, including arsenic trioxide and dimethyl arsenic Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system effects; hair loss Lung, bladder, skin, and other cancers; reproductive system effects; cognitive development effects in children 7440-38-2;
1327-53-3; and
75-60-5
Benzene   Blood cancer ;anemia; immune and reproductive system effects; developmental effects 71-43-2
Benzene, Pentachloro   Endocrine disruption; developmental effects; thyroid and reproductive system effects 608-93-5

Benzophenone-2 (Bp-2)
  Endocrine disruption; estrogen signaling and kidney effects; photo toxicant (adverse effects are more pronounced in the light); cancer; may damage DNA in cells 131-55-5
Bisphenol A (BPA)
  Reproductive system effects; developmental effects; cognitive development and breast effects; early onset of puberty in females; endocrine disruption 80-05-7

Bisphenol F (BPF)


Developmental and reproductive effects


620-92-8

Bisphenol S (BPS) Kidney damage; reproductive and developmental effects such as estrogen disruption 80-09-1
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)   Cancer; developmental effects; reproductive system effects; endocrine disruption 85-68-7
Butylated hydroxyanisole;                 (BHA)
  Endocrine disruption; stomach cancer; kidney, adrenal and thyroid effects; reproductive system effects 25013-16-5
C.I. Solvent yellow 14   Liver cancer; may damage DNA in cells 842-07-9

Cadmium and cadmium compounds
  Lung, and other organ cancers; liver and kidney effects; reproductive system effects; central nervous system development effects; may damage DNA in cells 7440-43-9
Carbon disulfide  

Nervous and reproductive system effects; developmental effects; brain, liver and heart effects 75-15-0


Clorinated paraffins


Target organs include liver, kidney, and thyroid; shown to be carcinogenic, persistent and bioaccumulative


108171-26-2

 


Cobalt and cobalt compounds Respiratory effects such as asthma, wheezing and pneumonia Lung and other organ cancers; reproductive system effects; developmental effects; heart, liver and kidney effects; may damage DNA in cells 7440-48-4
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate

            (DEHP)
May trigger asthma Liver cancer; endocrine disruption; developmental effects; reproductive system effects, including the testes; skeletal system and neural tube development and heart effects; developmental effects in unborn babies; diabetes and obesity; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic

117-81-7
Dicyclohexyl phthalate                           (DCHP)
Endocrine disruption; developmental effects, reproductive system effects
84-61-7
Diethyl phthalate (DEP)
Endocrine disruption; reproductive system effects
84-66-2
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
  Endocrine disruption; developmental effects; reproductive system effects 84-74-2
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Developmental and reproductive effects 
84-69-5
Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
  Developmental effects; liver effects 26761-40-0
Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
              (unbranched)
  Developmental effects; liver, spleen and kidney cancers; reproductive system effects 28553-12-0
Di-n-hexyl phthalate

  Endocrine disruption; reproductive system effects; developmental effects in unborn babies, including slowed growth, malformations and miscarriage 84-75-3
Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)   Liver, kidney, thyroid and immune system effects 117-84-0
Estragole   Liver cancer; multiple organ effects; may damage DNA in cells 140-67-0
Ethylbenzene Respiratory effects; eye irritant; dizziness Liver, kidney and lung cancers; developmental effects; nervous system, blood, liver, kidneys and inner ear/hearing effects 100-41-4
Ethylene glycol Central nervous system, heart, lung, kidney and liver effects; developmental effects 107-21-1
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether

(Also called 2-ethoxyethanol.)
  Developmental effects; toxic to blood cells; reproductive system effects, including spontaneous abortions, disturbed menstrual cycle, subfertility and developmental defects to male reproductive organs 110-80-5
 Ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP)
Reproductive system effects; effects on liver, blood, kidney, and adrenal glands
1241-94-7
Formaldehyde
Skin irritant; gastrointestinal system effects if found in drinking water Leukemia; nose, throat, lung, eye, nose, and throat cancers; can cause asthma-like respiratory problems 50-00-0
Hexabromocyclododecane   Reproductive system effects; developmental effects; thyroid and liver effects; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic 25637-99-4
Hexachlorobenzene   Liver cancer; developmental effects; endocrine disruption; central nervous system effects; skin sores; thyroid effects; accumulates in body fat 118-74-1
Hexachlorobutadiene
           (HCDB)
  Cancer; nervous and reproductive system effects; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic; developmental effects; kidney effects; may damage DNA in cells 87-68-3
Mercury and mercury compounds 
  Central nervous system effects; developmental effects; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic 7439-97-6; and 22967-92-6
Methyl ethyl ketone 
    (Also called MEK or 2-              butanone.)
Eye, nose, throat and skin irritant Reproductive and central nervous system effects; developmental effects 78-93-3
Methylene chloride

(Also called dichloromethane.)
  Lung, liver, and breast cancers; reproductive and nervous system effects; developmental effects 75-09-2
N-Methylpyrrolidone

(Also called N-methylpyrrolidone or NMP.)
  Developmental effects (low fetal and birth weights, developmental delays and impairment of cognitive skills in offspring) 872-50-4
N-Nitrosodimethylamine   Liver, kidney and lung cancers 62-75-9
N-Nitrosodiphenylamine   Bladder cancer; histiocytic lymphoma (a rare form of lymph tissue cancer) 86-30-6
Parabens   The following five chemicals are grouped together because they share similar characteristics, including the following: Endocrine disruption; estrogen signaling effects; increased risk for breast cancer; bioaccumulative; male reproductive system effects, including effects to sperm development and testosterone levels  
     Butyl paraben   Same as above 94-26-8
     Ethyl paraben   Same as above 120-47-8
     Methyl paraben   Same as above 99-76-3
     p-Hydroxybenzoic acid   Same as above 99-96-7
     Propyl paraben   Same as above 94-13-3

4-Chloroaniline 

(Also called para-Chloroaniline.)


Burns skin and eyes; interferes with ability of the blood to carry oxygen (methemoglobinemia and anemia) Spleen and liver cancers; red blood cell effects; methemoglobinemia; anemia; kidney and the nervous system effects; may damage DNA in cells 106-47-8

Tetrachloroethene

 (Also called perchloroethylene    or tetrachloroethylene.)

Respiratory system effects; neurological and central nervous system effects Liver, esophageal, cervical, bladder and breast cancers; leukemia; multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; central nervous system and kidney effects; reproductive system effects, including menstrual disorders, altered sperm quality and reduced fertility; developmental effects in unborn babies 127-18-4
Perfluorooctanyl sulphonic acid and its salts (PFOS)  
Developmental effects; liver effects; developmental effects in children and unborn babies; thyroid effects; persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic 1763-23-1
Phenol Respiratory irritation, headaches, burning eyes and skin; irregular heart beat Developmental effects; liver effects 108-95-2
4-Octylphenol   Endocrine disruption;interference with estrogen signaling 1806-26-4
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP) Cancer of liver, kidney, and thyroid; persistent and bioaccumulative

85535-84-8

 
Styrene Eye irritant; nervousrespiratory system effects Leukemia and lymphoma; developmental effects; hearing effects; changes in neurochemicals; pancreas and esophagus effects; liver, blood, kidney, stomach and endocrine, nervous and respiratory system effects; may cause genetic damage in the white blood cells 100-42-5
Tetrabromobisphenol A
        (TBBPA)

  Thyroid and kidney effects; binds to estrogen hormone receptors at high concentrations; persistent and bioaccumulative 79-94-7
Toluene Cardiac arrhythmia; central nervous system effects Central nervous system effects; developmental effects; liver, lung and kidney effects 108-88-3
Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) Allergic reactions associated with consumer products Reproductive and developmental effects such as decreased sperm count and altered male hormone levels; accelerates onset of Type-2 diabetes
115-86-6
Tris(1,3-dichloro-2- propyl) phosphate (TDCPP)
  Liver, kidney and testicle cancers; blood and thyroid effects 13674-87-8
Tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) Female reproductive and development effects; TCPP is structurally similar to other carcinogenic flame retardants
13674-84-5
Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate
             (TCEP)
  Kidney cancer; reproductive system effects, including fertility impairment and male reproductive effects; central nervous system effects 115-96-8
Vinyl chloride Central nervous system effects Liver, brain, lung, lymphatic system and blood cancers; Lou Gehrig's Disease (ASL); immune and reproductive system effects; developmental effects; may damage DNA in cells 75-01-4

Chemicals Removed from HPCCCH List

As of January 1, 2019, children's products sold or offered in Oregon containing these chemicals do not need to be reported. If a manufacturer reported them for the January 1, 2018 Biennial Notice due date, they do not need to report these HPCCCH again.
 

Phthalic anhydride (85-44-9)
Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (556-67-2)
Molybdenum and molybdenum compounds (7439-98-7)

Definitions

Cardiopulmonary system

This system includes the cardiovascular system plus the lungs, and is the interrelationship between the workings of the heart and lungs.

Cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system is another term for the circulatory system, and includes the heart, blood vessels, and the approximately 5 liters of blood that is transported by blood vessels throughout the body. This is the system responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste products throughout the body and is powered by the heart.

CAS number
The Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) registry number is a number that is universally used to provide a unique, unmistakable identifier for a chemical substance.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spine and performs vital functions like regulating other body systems. It controls our reflexes, physical coordination and movement and is vital in the processing of sensory input from sights, sounds, smells, flavors, and touch. The CNS plays a critical role in major cognitive functions like learning, memory, reasoning, decision-making, planning, as well as generating and regulating emotional responses.

Developmental

In this table, we use the term “developmental” for referring to the growth of a new human being from the time of conception until adulthood. As people pass through developmental stages (especially from the time of conception through childhood) they are particularly susceptible to damage caused by harmful chemicals. This is because a small change in the way a body system develops, could permanently affect the function of that body system long after the harmful chemical has been cleared from the body.

Endocrine disruption

The endocrine system is the network of glands that secrete hormones to send signals from one part of the body to another and to the tissues that respond to those hormone signals. Certain chemicals can disrupt this process by mimicking or interfering with the normal signaling and functioning of the endocrine system.

Gastrointestinal system

This is the system that helps us digest food, use nutrients for energy, and eliminate waste. It includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine—which includes the rectum and anus. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the solid organs of the digestive system.

Immune system

The immune system consists of many biological structures and processes within the body that protects it against disease. To function properly, the immune system must be able to detect a wide variety of pathogens, including viruses, harmful bacteria, parasites, etc., and be able to distinguish them from the body’s own healthy tissue.

Lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and is made up of a network of vessels that carry a clear fluid, called lymph, in the direction of the heart. One of the main functions of the lymphatic system is to provide an accessory route of return to the blood for filtered blood plasma. Lymph is very similar to blood plasma, and contains lymphocytes, which are a vital part of the immune system.

Nervous system

The nervous system is a network of nerve cells and fibers that transmit nerve impulses between various parts of the body. The nervous system can be divided into the central nervous system (brain and spine – see definition above) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside the brain and spine). The peripheral nervous system connects the central nervous system to the body’s limbs and organs, essentially serving as a communication relay going back and forth between the brain and the extremities.

Reproductive system

The reproductive system includes all of the sex organs and glands in the body that work together for the purpose of sexual reproduction. There are many important components to the reproductive system, such as the production and regulation of hormones, pheromones, and fluids.

Respiratory system

The body’s respiratory system is a series of organs responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The primary organs of the respiratory system are the lungs, which carry out this exchange of gases as we breathe. Other parts of the respiratory system include the nose, throat, trachea and the lung bronchi and bronchioles that are responsible for moving and filtering air in and out of the lungs.