UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT: Request for Scoping Document on Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potasium 

Bicarbonate 

EPA Reg. #: 

Chemical Class: Biochemical

 PC Code : 073401, 073505, 073508

 CAS Number: 1066-

FROM: Miachel Rexrode, Ph.D, Senior Biologist

Biochemical Pesticides 

Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P)

TO: Leonard Cole, Regulatory Action Leader

Biochemical Pesticides

Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P) 

ACTION REQUESTED

This is a Scoping Document for Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potasium 

Bicarbonate that evaluates potential

RECOMMENDATIONS AND 

Executive Summary

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460

Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention 

MEMORANDUM May 22, 2012

Request for Scoping Document on Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potasium 

Chemical Class: Biochemical

073401, 073505, 073508

-33-7 ; 144-55-8 ; 298-14-6

Miachel Rexrode, Ph.D, Senior Biologist /S/ 05/22/2012

Pesticides Branch

Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P)

Regulatory Action Leader /S/ 05/22/2012

Biochemical Pesticides Branch

Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P) 

Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potasium 

that evaluates potential risk to non-target and Endangered Species. 

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention 

Request for Scoping Document on Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potasium 

/2012

Endangered Species. 
Based on the available data and information, the Agency does not foresee the need for new

ecotoxicity data and risk assessments for the bicarbonates; Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potasium 

Bicarbonate.

Potassium Bicarbonate (Carbonic acid, monopotassium salt) and Sodium Bicarbonate 

(Carbonic acid, monosodium salt; baking soda)

These two compounds are found throughout nature in living systems and in non-living 

environments. They are an integral part of humans, other animals, plants, and virtually all living 

organisms, and are crucial for normal function. They are also present in soils, water, rocks, and

other parts of the environment and are found in many consumer products. These compounds are 

used as biological pesticides on all food commodities, turf, flowers, and ornamentals. The 

pesticide products that contain these bicarbonates are diluted with water and sprayed on foliage 

using ground equipment in order to combat fungal diseases.

No adverse human health effects are expected when potassium bicarbonate or sodium 

bicarbonate are used as pesticides. The compounds are ubiquitous in nature; considered to be 

"generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration; naturally present 

in human food; widely distributed in commerce; available to the general public for non-pesticidal 

uses; and required for normal function in human, animal, plant and environmental systems. 

Potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate are not associated with adverse effects to 

humans.

Ecotoxicity 

Table 1.0 shows acute toxicity studies for the Bicarbonates. The values for sodium bicarbonate 

and potasium bicarbonate suggest that these compounds are practically non-toxic (LC50 > 100 

mg/L) to aquatic organisms on an acute basis. 

Table 1.0 Ecotoxicity Data for Sodium Bicarbonate and Potassium Bicarbonate (PAN Data 

Base)

Chemical Test Organism Test Results

Sodium Bicarbonate Sheepshead Minnow 

(Cyprinodon variegatus) 

LC50 = 3,293 mg/L

Mosquito (Culex sp.) LC50 = 2,000 mg/L

Diatom (Nitzschia linearis) LC50 = 650 mg/L

Daphnia (Daphnia magna) EC50 = 1,554 mg/L

Rat (Rattus norvegicus) LD50 = 4,220 mg/kg

Potassium Bicarbonate Fathead Minnow (Pimephales 

promelas)

LC50 = 260 mg/L

Daphnia (Daphnia magna) EC50 = 93 - 450 mg/L
Risk Assessment

Potassium and Sodium Bicarbonate are biochemical pesticides that are exempt from the 

requirement of a tolerance in or on all raw agricultural commodities when applied as a fungicide

(§180.117 and §180.1176). These two compounds are found in all living and non living 

environmental systems and are also present in soils, water, rocks, as well as, consumer products. 

Potassium Bicarbonate and Sodium Bicarbonate are not associated with adverse effects to the 

environment and are expected to show No Effect (NE) to endangered/threatened species. These 

compounds display a non-toxic mode of action, occur naturally, have a history of exposure to 

humans and the environment with minimal toxicity, are typically applied at low use rates that do 

not exceed background levels, degrade rapidly in the environment, and are typically 

indistinguishable from identical substances already present in the environment.