UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

JUll 3 7011 

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY 

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 

MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile for Registration Review: Undecylenic acid (085501) 

FROM: 

THRU: 

TO: 

Monisha 

Biological 

Kaul, 

Analysis 

Biologist 

Branch 

fYI 0I/1.AAJ Jtt;...j ~ 

Katherine Stebbins, Biologist ~~ L--. 

Science Information and Analysi~ :8r~~i?~'"""-""'- v, ~ 

Stephen Smearman, Economist L..- n V r 

Economic Analysis Branch [1tU-f 

Biological and Economic Analysis Divisi6n (7503P) 

Biological 

Arnet Jones, 

Analysis 

Chief 

Branch~WU 

;;;J,,, ~ ~ 

Diann 

Science 

Sims, 

Information 

Chief ~ and Analysis Branch 

Timothy Kiely, Chief W: ' Economic Analysis Branch ~ . 

Biological and Economic Analysis . ision (7503 

Joel Wolf, Chemical Review Manager 

Risk Management and Implementation Branch 2 

Pesticide Reevaluation Division (7508P) 

Product Review Panel date: May 25, 2010 

INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of this document is to convey usage information and a broad overview of the pest 

management roles of pesticides that are beginning to undergo registration review. The 

anticipated audience consists of the team of EPA staff currently evaluating the registration status 

of undecylenic acid, and eventually the general public. This document builds upon the data 

already provided in the "Usage and Label Use Data Packages" that are also provided to 

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Registration Review teams by BEAD. The document is based on infonnation and data available 

to BEAD as of May 12,2011. 

Labeled Use Sites 

Undecylenic acid is labeled for use in products that may be applied to cats (adults and kittens), 

dogs (adults and puppies), and reptiles. In addition, it may be used to treat pet living/sleeping 

quarters. 

Common Formulation and Application Methods 

Undecylenic acid is fonnulated as an emulsifiable concentrate or ready to use liquid. The 

emulsifiable concentrate may be applied as a shampoo to cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies. The 

ready to use liquid may be applied directly to the animal as a spray or shampoo and may be used 

to treat pet living/sleeping quarters. 

Undecylenic Acid Usage 

BEAD reviewed available usage sources and did not find any infonnation. However, usage may 

be occurring below the reporting threshold. 

BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO UNDECYLENIC ACID 

Undecylenic acid is an insecticide and miticide registered for use to kill fleas and mites on pets. 

There are two active products registered by EPA that include undecylenic acid. These products 

include butanedioic acid as an active ingredient along with undecylenic acid. According to the 

labels, both products are not to be used on animals under 12 weeks of age. 

As a note, it appears that undecylenic acid was previously registered for use in pet products 

targeting lice and ticks, but these are no longer registered. 

Undecylenic acid is a fatty acid with fungicidal properties. It is included in various products 

such as antifungal creams but such products are not related to EPA registered uses on pets. 

mSTORY OF BEAD ASSESSMENTS FOR UNDECYLENIC ACID 

There have been no emergency exemptions (Section 18) requests for Undecylenic acid. A search 

of the BEAD data base did not yield any infonnation regarding impact assessments for 

Undecylenic acid. There was one document in the BEAD records from 1993 concerning an 

HED pre-registration conference with registrant Elf Atochem's petition for Undecylenic acid's 

registration requirements for the intended use of Undecylenic acid as a component of a soil 

nutrient mix for mushrooms when pulverized soybean kernels are also added to the nutrient mix. 

Undecylenic acid acts as a soybean growth inhibitor and would be used where soybean was 

added to the nutrient mix because not all the soybean kernels would be pulverized. The request 

was for greenhouse use only. No further infonnation was available. 

REFERENCES: 

1993 - Residue Chemistry Reviews V. 1 - Pre registration Conference with Elf Atochem 

concerning Undecylenic acid registration requirements. 

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