UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

APR 3 0 2014 

MEMORANDUM 

OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY 

AND POLLUTION PREVENTION 

SUBJECT: BEAD Chemical Profile (BCP) for Registration Review: 4-CP A ( 4-

cholorophenoxy-acetic acid) and Salts (019401 ) 

FROM: 

THRU: 

Biological 

Sunil Ratnayake, 

Analysis 

Biologist 

Branch \__ 

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Science 

Sepehr Haddad, 

Information 

Environmental 

and Analysis 

Protection 

Branch 

Specialist lj ___.; /~ 

Derek Berwald, Economist ~ llj ~f0Q Economic Analysis Branch 

Biological and Economic Analysis Divisio' 7503P) ' 

Diann Sims, Chief ~ vL.L.IInN~ 

Science Information and Analysis Branch 

Economic 

Timothy Kiely, 

Analysis 

Chief 

Branch 

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Biological and Economic An is Division ( ) 

TO: Molly Clayton, Chemical Review Manager 

Risk Management and Implementation Branch I 

Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P) 

Peer Review Panel date: April3, 2014 

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SUMMARY 

4-CPA (4-cholorophenoxy-acetic acid and salts) was first registered as a pesticide in the U.S. in 

1969 for use as a plant growth regulator for mung beans. 4-CP A is used in the food industry to 

inhibit root growth during the seed germination of mung beans. 

INTRODUCTION 

The Biological and Economic Analysis Division (BEAD) Chemical Profile (BCP) provides an 

overview of the pest management roles and quantitative usage information for 4-CP A and salts. 

The BCP includes summaries of previous BEAD products and available public and/or private 

use and usage data for 4-CP A and salts. Additional information on use is available in the 4-CP A 

and salts LUIS Label Data Report. Information provided in this BCP may be used by 

stakeholders (e.g., users and registrants), OPP risk assessors, OPP risk managers, and the general 

public during the Registration Review process of this pesticide. 

USE SITES 

Use Sites 

4-CP A is used in the food industry as a plant growth regulator to restrict root growth during seed 

germination of mung beans. 

FORMULATIONS AND APPLICATION METHODS 

4-CPA is formulated in end-use products as a dry amorphous powder that is mixed with water. It is 

applied by direct pour or by closed delivery systems. Use practice limitations prohibit the 

feeding ofbean parts or hulls treated with 4-CPA to livestock. Contamination ofwater, food, or 

feed by the storage or disposal of 4-CP A also is prohibited. 

HISTORY OF 4-CPA AND BEAD PRODUCTS 

There are no records of relevant BEAD assessments for 4-CP A and salts. 

A Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) was issued in March 1997 (USEPA, 1997) for this 

chemical. 

USAGE 

Agricultural Usage 

There is no available usage data on mung bean use from any of our public or proprietary 

databases. The Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (PRD) contacted the registrant in February 

2014 to inquire about formulation and usage of this chemical and they responded that the 

material is a dry amorphous powder that is mixed (12grams) into 1 liter of water to dissolve and then 

added to a mixture of3500 lbs. of mung beans and approximately 1150 gallons ofwater. According 

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to the registrant of this chemical, I 0 to 20 lbs. of 4-CP A are used in a year depending on the demand 

of mung bean sprouts needed in that year (Allomong, R., ConAgra Foods. Personal Communication. 

Feb. 04, 2014). 

The use of 4-CPA was described in the 1997 Reregistration Eligibility Decision (R.E.D.): 

4-CP A is used in the food industry as a plant growth regulator to restrict root growth during seed 

germination of mung beans. 4-CP A is applied to the water bath to soak the beans. Once the 

beans have soaked for several hours, they are washed to remove the surface residues, and are 

then germinated indoors for several days. After sprouting, the hulls and roots are discarded, and 

the remaining portion is packaged and sold for human consumption (USEP A, 1997). 

Non-Agricultural Usage 

There are no non-agricultural uses for 4-CP A. 

BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS RELEVANT TO 4-CPA AND SALTS 

One of the auxin type plant growth hormone regulating the cell division is 4-CP A. Currently 4-

CP A is used as a plant growth regulator for restricting root growth of mung beans in food 

industry (USEP A, 1997). It is not used as a pesticide to control any pest in crop production 

fields in the United States. 

ROLE OF 4-CPA AND SALTS IN FOOD PROCESSING 

4-CP A plays a role in food industry and it is used as a plant growth regulator to restrict the root 

growth of mung bean sprouts during the germination of seeds. 

DATA NEEDS 

BEAD has the necessary usage data on 4-CP A and salts. 

REFERENCES 

USEPA. 1997. Reregistration EligibilityDecision (RED): 4-Chlorophenoxy-acetic Acid (4-CPA). 

Available online: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1 /REDs/2115red.pdf. Retrieved on March 

11, 2014. 

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