United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Prevention, Pesticides
And Toxic Substances
(H-7508W)
EPA-738-F-95-033
July 1995
R.E.D. FACTS
Methyl Nonyl Ketone
Pesticide
Reregistration
All pesticides sold or used in the United States must be registered by
EPA, based on scientific studies showing that they can be used without
posing unreasonable risks to people or the environment. Because of
advances in scientific knowledge, the law requires that pesticides which
were first registered prior to 1984 be reregistered to ensure that they meet
today's more stringent standards.
In evaluating pesticides for reregistration, EPA obtains and reviews a
complete set of studies from pesticide producers, describing the human
health and environmental effects of each pesticide. The Agency imposes
any regulatory controls that are needed to effectively manage each
pesticide's risks. EPA then reregisters pesticides that can be used without
posing undue hazards to human health or the environment.
Use Profile
Regulatory
History
When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA explains its basis
for its decision in a Reregistration Eligibility Decision document, or RED.
This fact sheet summarizes the information in the RED for methyl nonyl
ketone, reregistration case 3094.
Methyl nonyl ketone is a dog and cat repellent/training aid and iris
borer deterrent. The pesticide is used in households, paths, patios, solid
waste containers and on ornamental plants. Methyl nonyl ketone is
formulated as a pressurized liquid, granular, liquid ready-to-use
(pump/sprayer), solid (crystalline), and liquid for reformulating use only.
EPA assumes that the volume of use of this pesticide is relatively low.
Methyl nonyl ketone was first registered in the United States in 1966
for use as a dog and cat repellant. Currently, there are 48 products
registered to 65 companies. The Agency issued a Data Call-In for methyl
nonyl ketone requiring the submission of additional product chemistry data.
Human Health Toxicity
Assessment In studies using laboratory animals, methyl nonyl ketone exhibited no
toxicity via the oral and inhalation routes and was placed in Toxicity
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Category IV (the lowest of four categories) for these effects. Methyl nonyl
ketone was slightly toxic (Toxicity Category III) for dermal toxicity, eye
irritation and dermal irritation and was a weak dermal sensitizer. The
systemic No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) was equal to or greater than
300 mg/kg/day with the Lowest Observed Effect Level (LOEL) being
greater than 300 mg/kg/day. The NOEL for dermal irritation was 100
mg/kg/day with the LOEL being 300 mg/kg/day based on moderate to
severe dermal irritation.
No evidence of maternal toxicity, developmental toxicity, or
mutagenicity is associated with methyl nonyl ketone. Based on available
information, no toxicological endpoints of concern (including short term or
intermediate term) were identified.
Dietary Exposure
Based on the current use patterns and exposure profiles for methyl
nonyl ketone, residues in/on food and/or feed are not expected to occur.
Therefore, a dietary risk characterization was not required.
Occupational and Residential Exposure
Based on the current use patterns, there is a potential for exposure to
mixers/loaders/applicators from use of methyl nonyl ketone, specifically
from applying granulars by hand and lawn spreaders, and from applying
liquid sprays to ornamentals, furniture, and rugs. In addition, there is a
potential for exposure to persons entering treated sites after application of
methyl nonyl ketone is complete, specifically from re-entering treated
lawns, gardens, and residences. While the potential for exposure to
handlers as well as post-application exposure exists, an occupational and/or
residential exposure assessment is not required because there are no
toxicological endpoints of concern.
Human Risk Assessment
Based on the current use patterns and exposure profiles for methyl
nonyl ketone, no dietary or occupational risk characterizations are required
since residues in or on food/feed are not expected to occur and no
toxicological endpoints of concern for either short or intermediated terms
were identified.
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Environmental
Assessment
Environmental Fate
The degradation of methyl nonyl ketone in soil appears to be
microbiologically mediated under aerobic conditions with a half-life of 0.5
day. The pesticide was observed to be relatively immobile in soil and has a
low potential to leach into ground water or move offsite into surface water.
Methyl nonyl ketone was determined to be relatively immobile in sodium
azide-sterilized sandy loam, clay loam, sand, and silt loam soils and does
not hydrolyze.
Ecological Effects
Methyl nonyl ketone was observed to be practically nontoxic to avian
species on an acute oral and subacute dietary basis, moderately toxic to both
cold and warmwater fish and highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates.
Additional Data
Requirements
Environmental Fate and Ecological Effects Risk Assessment
Due to the repellant nature of the product, risks to non-target
terrestrial species is not likely. In addition, non-target aquatic species
exposure is unlikely because this chemical is neither persistent nor mobile in
the environment and associated use patterns.
EPA is requiring product-specific data including product chemistry,
revised Confidential Statement of Formulas and revised product chemistry
labeling for the reregistration of products containing methyl nonyl ketone.
Product Labeling All methyl nonyl ketone end-use products must comply with EPA's
ChanCieS Required current pesticide product labeling requirements and with the following
conditions as described below.
Entry Restrictions
The Agency is establishing the following entry restrictions for all
homeowner uses of methyl nonyl ketone end-use products.
For liquid applications:
"Do not allow persons or pets to enter the treated area until
sprays have dried."
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For dry applications:
"Do not allow persons or pets to enter the treated area until
dusts have settled."
Application Requirements:
EPA is requiring the following application requirements on all end-use
products containing methyl nonyl ketone:
"Do not apply this product in a way that will contact any person or
pet, either directly or through drift. Keep people and pets out of the area
during application."
User Safety Requirements:
EPA is requiring the following user safety requirements on all end-use
products containing methyl nonyl ketone:
"Follow manufacturer's instructions for cleaning/maintaining personal
protective equipment. If no such instructions for washables, use detergent
and hot water. Keep and wash personal protective equipment separately
from other laundry."
User Safety Recommendations:
EPA is requiring the following user safety recommendations on all
end-use products containing methyl nonyl ketone:
"Users should wash hands before eating, drinking, chewing gum,
using tobacco, or using the toilet."
"Users should remove clothing immediately if pesticide gets on or
inside clothing. Then wash thoroughly with detergent and hot water
separately from other laundry and put on clean clothing."
"Users should remove personal protective equipment immediately
after handling this product. Wash the outside of gloves before removing.
As soon as possible, wash thoroughly and change into clean clothing."
RGQLllatory EPA has determined that all products containing methyl nonyl ketone are
Conclusion eligible for reregistration. The use of methyl nonyl ketone products in
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accordance with labeling measures specified in this RED will not pose
unreasonable adverse effects to humans or the environment. These products
will be reregistered once the required confirmatory generic data, product
specific data, Confidential Statement of Formulas and revised labeling are
received and accepted by EPA.
For MOTG Upon publication of the Fact Sheet, EPA is requesting public
Information comments on the Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document (RED) for
methyl nonyl ketone during a 60-day time period, as announced in a Notice
of Availability published in the Federal Register. To obtain a copy of the
RED or to submit written comments, please contact the Pesticide Docket,
Public Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division
(H-7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), US EPA, Washington, DC
20460, telephone 703-305-5805.
Following the comment period, the methyl nonyl ketone RED will be
available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285
Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, telephone 703-487-4650.
For more information about methyl nonyl ketone or about EPA's
pesticide reregistration program, please contact the Special Review and
Reregistration Division (H-7508W), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC
20460, telephone 703-308-8000. For information about reregistration of
individual products containing methyl nonyl ketone, please contact Robert
Forrest, Product Manager, Registration Division (H-7505C), OPP, US
EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (703) 305-6600.
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