UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 

OFFICE OF PESTICIDES AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES 

MEMORANDUM

DATE: February 22, 2010 

SUBJECT: Registration Review: Product Chemistry Data Review for the Pesticide Menthol 

Registration Review Case #: 4063 

PC Codes: 051601 

CAS Numbers: 1490-04-6 

Chemical Class: Biochemical

FROM: Jacob Moore, Chemist /s/ 02/22/10 

Biochemical Pesticides Branch 

Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P) 

TO: Colin Walsh, Regulatory Action Leader 

Biochemical Pesticides Branch 

Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P) 

ACTION REQUESTED 

A preliminary assessment of available information on product chemistry data associated with 

the pesticide menthol and its biochemical products in support of the development of a 

Registration Review Work Plan. 
Menthol Case #: 4063 

051601

Introduction 

The EPA has made the determination that there is adequate information available on 

menthol. Menthol is currently registered as an active ingredient in two products, summarized 

below: 

Table 1. Summary of products containing menthol as an active ingredient. 

Name Registration Number Concentration (w/w) Use 

Mite-A-Thol 61671-1 99.94% Control of Tracheal Mite 

API Life Var 73219-1 3.73% Control of Varroa Mite 

 Concerning the product chemistry of menthol much information has been provided by 

registrants. Also, as menthol has many commercial uses outside of the realm of pesticides, a 

wealth of information is available in the public literature. Given this, a complete product 

chemistry data set is available for menthol. The Agency does not anticipate the need for 

additional data at this point. 

Table 2. Menthol Chemical Identity 

Common Name Menthol 

Chemical Name 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexanol 

Trade Names N/A 

Molecular Weight 156.26 g/mol 

PC Code 051601 

CAS Registry Number 1490-04-6 

Empirical Formula C10H20O

Registration Review 

Case Number 

4063 

Chemical Structure 

. 

Product Chemistry Summary
Menthol Case #: 4063 

051601

The Agency has conducted a review of the available product chemistry data and information. 

 These data are summarized below.

Table 3. Product Chemistry Data Requirements Summary

Guideline No. Physical and Chemical 

Properties 

Status

1

Value 

830.1100 Product Identity and 

Composition 

A Refer to Tables 1 & 2. 

830.1200 Description of starting materials, 

production and formulation 

process 

A CBI 

830.1400 Discussion of formation of 

impurities 

A CBI 

830.1700 Preliminary analysis A CBI 

830.6302 Color A Colorless or white 

830.6303 Physical state A Crystals (solid) 

830.6304 Odor A Peppermint 

830.6313 Stability to normal and elevated 

temperatures, metals and metal 

ions 

A Stable 

830.7000 pH N/A Testing done on EP 

830.7220 Melting point/melting range A 41-44oC 

 Boiling point/boiling range A 212oC 

830.7300 Density A 0.890 at 30oC 

830.7520 Particle size, fiber length, and 

diameter distribution 

N/A 

830.7550 

830.7560 

830.7570 

Partition coefficient (nOctanol/Water) N/A Partially soluble in water 

830.7840 Water solubility A Slightly soluble in water; 

very soluble in alcohol, 

chloroform, and ether. 

830.7950 Vapor pressure A 0.8 mmHg at 20oC 

1. A=Acceptable, N/A=Not Applicable, N/D=Not Determined 

Sources 
Menthol Case #: 4063 

051601

1. Report of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Tolerance Reassessment Progress and 

Risk Management Decision (TRED) for Menthol. September 2004. 

2. EPA Memorandum from C. Swartz thru W. Hazel to K. Davis and F. Chow. October 26, 

1992.