United States
                  Environmental Protection
                  Agency	
                        Office of Prevention, Pesticides
                        And Toxic Substances
                        (7508W)	
EPA-738-F-92-014
December 1992
                  R.E.D.   FACTS
      Pesticide
Registration
                  Oxalic  Acid
     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 years ago 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.
     When a pesticide is eligible for reregistration, EPA announces this and
explains why in a Reregistration Eligibility Document, or RED. This fact
sheet summarizes the information in the RED for oxalic acid.
    Use Profile
    Regulatory
        History
     Oxalic acid is registered for use as a disinfectant to control bacteria
and germs, and as a sanitizer, in toilet bowls, urinals and bathroom
premises.  Registered products are formulated as ready-to-use liquids or
solid soluble concentrates, and are applied by sprinkling, pouring, brushing,
swabbing or mopping the product onto the surface to be treated.
     Oxalic acid also has many diverse, non-pesticidal, manufacturing and
industrial uses including use in fabric printing and dyeing; bleaching straw
hats; removing paint, varnish, rust or ink stains; and cleaning wood.

     Oxalic acid first was registered as a pesticide in 1957 for the current
bathroom disinfectant uses, as well as use in swimming pool water systems,
drainage systems, sewage systems, eating establishments (to disinfect
equipment and utensils), and other sites. At present, five products
containing oxalic acid are registered.
     Oxalic acid is exempt from the requirement of a tolerance (or legal
residue limit) when it is used as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations
that are applied to growing or harvested crops.  EPA also is regulating
oxalic acid under its Inerts Strategy.
Human Health   Toxicity

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   Assessment
     Oxalic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in many plants and
vegetables, and also is a product of the metabolism of molds.  It is a widely
used chemical whose toxicity is well known.  In assessing oxalic acid's risks
to people, EPA relied on articles in published scientific literature.
     Oxalic acid is corrosive to the eyes and skin, and has been placed in
Toxicity Category I (indicating the highest degree of toxicity) for acute eye
and skin irritation effects.  It also is highly irritating and damaging to the
respiratory system if inhaled.  Acute exposure also causes stomach
irritation,  lowered calcium levels, effects to the nervous system and kidney
damage in humans.
     A subchronic inhalation study in rats showed decreased body weights,
restricted growth and disrupted estrous cycles.   At the highest dose, the test
animals also had reduced thyroid weights and changes in iodine and
hormone levels. Metabolism studies show that  excess levels of oxalic  acid
cause kidney damage in mammals.  Chronic oral intake in animals produces
kidney damage and disturbances in  the metabolism of calcium. A
multigeneration mouse  reproduction study showed reproductive effects and
parental toxicity at the highest dose level.
                    Occupational and Residential Exposure
                          The potential for significant eye and dermal exposure exists when
                    workers or homeowners apply bathroom disinfectant products containing
                    oxalic acid and other active and inert ingredients. These products are liquid
                    and granular formulations applied using brushes, swabs or mops.
                    Exposure, especially to the concentrated formulations,  can cause chemical
                    burns to the skin and severe to permanent damage to the eyes.
Environmental
   Assessment
Human Risk Assessment
     Although they contain only a small amount of oxalic acid and a much
greater amount of other active and inert ingredients, oxalic acid products as
formulated and registered for use as bathroom disinfectants can be highly
irritating and damaging to the eyes, skin and mucous membranes.  Exposure
to the concentrated formulations can result in chemical burns to the skin and
severe to permanent eye damage.  However, these risks should be low as
long as product label directions and precautions are followed.

Environmental Fate
     EPA relied on data available in the scientific literature to assess the
environmental fate and transport of oxalic acid used as a pesticide.  Oxalic
acid occurs widely in nature—it is present in the tissues of many plants and
algae, serving both to excrete and store calcium.  In water, its negative ion
forms complexes with a number of metal ions; and oxalic acid is
immobilized as a result of this formation of complexes. Both aerobic and
anaerobic conditions biodegrade oxalic acid in less than one day.

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                               Oxalic acid, used as an indoor disinfectant, degrades readily and
                          rapidly under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions during sewage
                          treatment.  Sewage effluents discharged to natural waters are not expected to
                          contain oxalic acid residues from its use as a pesticide. Any oxalic acid
                          present in the environment is the result of natural processes and not from
                          use of the chemical as a bathroom disinfectant.
                          Ecological Effects
                               EPA did not require or evaluate ecological effects data for oxalic acid
                          because the pesticide is only used indoors and exposure to wildlife is not
                          expected to occur.  However, three studies are being required to assess the
                          toxicity of the pesticide to wildlife in case of a spill. The results of these
                          studies will be used to develop product labeling statements.

                               EPA is requiring three acute toxicity studies on birds, freshwater fish
                          and invertebrate species, to determine  oxalic acid's  toxicity hazard to
                          wildlife in case of a transportation accident and develop appropriate product
                          label statements.  All other generic data requirements have  been waived.
                               Product-specific data, including product chemistry and efficacy
                          studies,  also are required  for reregistration of oxalic acid. Additional  label
                          precautions may be required, depending on the results of these studies.
  Product LabGling        The labels of all registered oxalic acid products must comply with
ChanCIGS RGCIUirGd   ^PA's current pesticide labeling requirements.  The Agency may require
                          additional label directions and precautions, depending on the results of the
                          studies mentioned above.
Additional Data
        Required
          Regulatory
         Conclusion
                           • The pesticide oxalic acid will not result in unreasonable adverse
                      effects  to human health or the environment, and all registered products
                      containing oxalic acid are eligible for reregistration.  These products will be
                      reregistered once the required product-specific data and revised labeling are
                      received and accepted by EPA.
                           • Registered products containing oxalic acid as well as other active
                      ingredients will be reregistered once the other active ingredients also are
                      determined to be eligible for reregistration.
            For More
         Information
                           EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
                      Document (RED) for oxalic acid 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 (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), US
                      EPA, Washington, DC  20460, telephone 703-305-5805.

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     In the future, the oxalic acid 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 oxalic acid or about EPA's pesticide
reregistration program, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration
Division (7508W), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-
308-8000.  For information about reregistration of individual oxalic acid
products, please contact Arvella Farmer, Registration Division (7505C),
OPP, US EPA,  Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-305-6939.
     For information  about the  health effects of pesticides, or for assistance
in recognizing and managing pesticide poisoning symptoms,  please contact
the National Pesticides Telecommunications Network (NPTN).  Call  toll-
free 1-800-858-7378,  24 hours a day, seven days a week, or  fax your
inquiry to 806-743-3094.

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