Document ID: EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0407-0002
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2012-07-06T04:00Z

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      	UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
       		WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
      
      
      
      
                                    May 23, 2012
                                                                               
                             OFFICE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION
MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT:	Product Chemistry Scoping Document for the Registration Review of Bicarbonates (Sodium, Potassium).  

            Registration Review Case #:  		4048
            PC Code:						073505, 073508
            CAS Numbers:					144-55-8, 298-14-6
            Chemical Class:					Biochemical
                                                                  
FROM:		Leonard Cole, Senior Regulatory Specialist
            Biochemical Pesticides Branch
            Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P) 
            
TO:			Linda Hollis, Chief
            Biochemical Pesticides Branch
            Biopesticides & Pollution Prevention Division (7511P) 

ACTION REQUESTED
	
The following scoping document contains the product chemistry assessment for the biopesticides sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonatein support of the development of the Registration Review Preliminary Work Plan.

Executive Summary

The Agency has made the determination that for the purposes of registration review, there is adequate information available on bicarbonates, (including sodium and potassium), and does not foresee the need for additional biochemical pesticide product chemistry data for products that currently contain the three bicarbonates outlined above as the technical grade active ingredient.  

Introduction

The bicarbonates (sodium and potassium) are naturally occurring compounds that are not expected to have adverse effects on humans or the environment when used as fungicides. Use of these two compounds in pesticide products may provide an alternative to more toxic fungicides currently on the market.
 
The active ingredients were first registered in 1994 for use as a fungicide (Potassium bicarbonate and Sodium and Fact Sheet, 1999).  There are currently 8 products registered containing the active ingredient, Potassium bicarbonate, and one technical grade active ingredient (TGAI) Sodium bicarbonate. Both bicarbonates are approved for use as inert ingredients in pesticide formulations.

Product Chemistry Summary

Concerning the product chemistry of the bicarbonates, all biochemical pesticide data requirements for the technical grade active ingredients have been satisfied and are summarized in Tables 3 and 4. While no further product chemistry data are necessary for the products currently registered, future registrations must adequately address all of the biochemical pesticides product chemistry data requirements.

Table 1. Product Identity and Composition for Sodium bicarbonate
Chemical Name, IUPAC
Sodium bicarbonate
Molecular Weight
105.9784 g/mol
PC Code
073505
CAS Registry Number
144-55-8
Common Name
Baking soda, bicarbonate of soda 
Molecular Formula
NaHCO3
Registration Review Case Number
4048
Chemical Structure
                                       

Chemical Name, IUPAC
Potassium bicarbonate
Molecular Weight
100.115 g/mol
PC Code
073508
CAS Registry Number
298-14-6
Common Name
Potassium bicarbonate
Molecular Formula
K2CO3
Registration Review Case Number
4048
Chemical Structure
                                       

The Agency has conducted a review of the available product chemistry data and information for Sodium bicarbonate and Potassium bicarbonate.  These data are summarized below.

Table 3. Biochemical Pesticides Product Chemistry Data Requirements for Sodium bicarbonate
                                 Guideline No.
                       Physical and Chemical Properties
                                   Status[1]
                                     Value
                                     MRID
830.1100
Product Identity and Composition
                                       A
Refer to Table 1.
00019705
00019706
00019707
43297201
43463101
43463102
830.1200
Description of starting materials, production and formulation process
                                       A
CBI
00019712
43297201
43463103
43463200
43463201
43463202
43463203
830.1400
Discussion of formation of impurities
                                       A
CBI
00012547
830.1700
Preliminary analysis
                                       A
CBI
43463200
43463201
43463202
43463203
830.6302
Color
                                       A
White crystalline 
00019705
00019706
43463101
43463102
830.6303
Physical state
                                       A
powder
00019705
00019706
43463101
43463102
830.6304
Odor
                                       A
No characteristic odor
43297201
43463101
43463102
830.6313
Stability to normal and elevated temperatures, metals and metal ions
                                       A
Stable to heat and light
00019706
43463101
43463102
830.7000
pH
                                       A
                                      8.3
00019705
00019706
00019707

830.7050
UV/Visible light absorption

                                      N/A

830.7200
Melting point/melting range
                                       A
60C (140F)
00019705
00019706
00019707
43297201

830.7220
Boiling point/boiling range
                                      N/A

830.7300
Density
                                       A
2.2 
43463101
43463102
830.7520
Particle size, fiber length, and diameter distribution
                                      N/A
Not applicable; chemical is not water insoluble and fibrous with a diameter >= 0.1um

830.7550
830.7560
830.7570
Partition coefficient (n-Octanol/Water)
                                       A

Log P = 4.320

ChemIDplus Lite (2012)
830.7840
Water solubility 
                                       A
8.6 g/100 ml @ 20 C (68 F)
41614403

42501002
830.7950
Vapor pressure
                                      N/A

00019707
43297201
43463101
43463102
   1. A=Acceptable. N/A=Not Applicable. N/D=Not Determined.

Table 4. Product Identity and Composition for Potassium bicarbonate

                                 Guideline No.
                       Physical and Chemical Properties
                                   Status[1]
                                     Value
                                     MRID
830.1100
Product Identity and Composition
                                       A
Refer to Table 2.
44092500
44092501
44092502
44092503
45444902
830.1200
Description of starting materials, production and formulation process
                                       A
CBI
46026701
48777500
48777501
48777502
830.1400
Discussion of formation of impurities
                                       A
CBI
44326202
46026701
830.1700
Preliminary analysis
                                       A
CBI
45444901
830.6302
Color
                                       A
White crystalline 
44092502
44092503
45444902
830.6303
Physical state
                                       A
powder
46026701
830.6304
Odor
                                       A
No characteristic odor
45444902
830.6313
Stability to normal and elevated temperatures, metals and metal ions
                                       A
Stable to heat and light
44092502
44092503

830.7000
pH
                                       A
                                      8.2
Lilly MSDS
830.7050
UV/Visible light absorption

                                      N/A

44092503

830.7200
Melting point/melting range
                                      N/A

830.7220
Boiling point/boiling range
                                      N/A

830.7300
Density
                                       A
2.2 
44092502
44092503

830.7520
Particle size, fiber length, and diameter distribution
                                      N/A
Not applicable; chemical is not water insoluble and fibrous with a diameter >= 0.1um

830.7550
830.7560
830.7570
Partition coefficient (n-Octanol/Water)
                                       A

Log P = 4.320

ChemIDplus Lite (2012)
830.7840
Water solubility 
                                       A
8.6 g/100 ml @ 20 C (68 F)
41614403

42501002
830.7950
Vapor pressure
                                      N/A

00019707
43297201
43463101
43463102

References

Merck Index, Online. 01/24/2012.

US EPA Sodium and Potassium bicarbonate Fact Sheet (1999)	 
    http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_073508.htm