United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Prevention, Pesticides
And Toxic Substances
(7508W)
EPA-738-F-93-026
December 1993
R.E.D. FACTS
Pesticide
Reregistration
Use Profile
Peroxy Compounds
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 regulat-
ory 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 Decision (RED) document. This
fact sheet summarizes the information in the RED document for the Peroxy
Compounds, including hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, and potassium
peroxymonosulfate sulfate.
The peroxy compounds are microbiocides. When mixed with water and
applied by spraying, fogging or immersing, they kill bacteria, fungi and
viruses on hard surfaces including equipment, floors and walls, indoors in
agricultural premises, food establishments, commercial/industrial locations,
hospital/medical institutions, and bathrooms in residences. Hydrogen peroxide
and peroxyacetic acid products are formulated as liquids, and the one registered
product that contains potassium peroxymonosulfate sulfate is formulated as a
solid soluble concentrate.
Regulatory
History
Hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid and potassium peroxymonosulfate
sulfate products were first registered in the United States as pesticides as early
as 1977, 1985 and 1968 respectively, for use as disinfectants, sanitizers and
sterilants. Currently, 23 products are registered which contain peroxy
compounds as active ingredients; 11 products contain hydrogen peroxide, 11
products contain peroxyacetic acid, and one product contains potassium
peroxymonosulfate sulfate. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed
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by EPA and the Food and Drug Administration in June 1993, EPA has primary
regulatory jurisdiction over the peroxy compounds.
Human Health Human Toxicity
AsS6SSm6nt The three peroxy compounds are oxidizing agents. They can react,
sometimes violently, with reducing agents, so in concentrated form they must
be handled with care.
These compounds are corrosive and severely irritating to the eyes, skin
and mucous membranes. They have been placed in Toxicity Category I,
indicating the greatest degree of acute toxicity, for eye and dermal irritation.
In contrast, they are not extremely toxic by the oral route, and are placed in
Toxicity Category III for acute oral effects. It is because of their very reactive
properties and moderately low oral toxicity that dilute concentrations of peroxy
compounds have found wide applications and safe use as disinfectants.
Based on their chemical reactivity, the peroxy compounds are expected
to have biological activity, particularly with molecules. Hydrogen peroxide,
for example, is known to be mutagenic.
Dietary Exposure
Hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid are used in dairy/cheese
processing plants, on food processing equipment and in pasteurizers in
breweries, wineries and beverage plants. Although food may come into
contact with treated equipment, only trace amounts of the chemicals would
remain on equipment, since both compounds degrade rapidly in air to form
oxygen and water. No residues of these pesticides are expected to remain in
food.
When potassium peroxymonosulfate sulfate is used to disinfect poultry
houses, hatcheries and processing plants, it does not come into direct contact
with animals or food. The animals or meat/eggs are removed before use,
which is followed by a potable water rinse and drying time before the animals
or food are reintroduced. This is considered a non-food use and no dietary
exposure is expected to result.
Occupational and Residential Exposure
Applicators/mixers may be exposed to hydrogen peroxide and
peroxyacetic acid when these chemicals are applied as sprays, wipe/mop-on or
immersion solutions, to disinfect industrial/commercial floors, food processing
equipment, pasteurizers, medical equipment or residential bathroom surfaces.
When potassium peroxymonosulfate sulfate is applied in poultry houses,
hatcheries and processing plants by spraying, misting or fogging, dermal and
inhalation exposure of applicators is expected. These exposures are of concern
since the peroxy compounds are corrosive and severely irritating to the skin,
eyes and mucous membranes. However, product labels require the use of
protective equipment including protective clothing, rubber gloves, and goggles,
a face shield or safety glasses. Labels also recommend thorough washing
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Environmental
Assessment
(including clothing) with soap and water after handling. These measures
sufficiently minimize exposure and risk to applicators/mixers.
Human Risk Assessment
Essentially no dietary exposure occurs from use of the peroxy
compounds, so no dietary or chronic risks are posed. These chemicals are
corrosive and pose acute toxicity risks of severe eye and skin irritation to
applicators and mixers. These risks are minimized, however, through use of
protective equipment, as required by product labeling. Therefore, the risks to
humans are considered negligible.
Environmental Fate
The peroxy compounds are registered for indoor uses only. No direct
environmental exposure is anticipated from their use as directed by product
labeling.
Ecological Effects
Because of their indoor use patterns, and because they rapidly degrade
to oxygen, carbon dioxide, water or acetic acid, avian and aquatic toxicity
studies were waived for hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid.
Potassium peroxymonosulfate sulfate is corrosive and is assumed to be
highly toxic to birds on an acute oral basis. Avian dietary studies using the
bobwhite quail indicate that the chemical is practically nontoxic to birds on a
dietary basis. It is highly toxic to rainbow trout and moderately toxic to
bluegill sunfish.
Ecological Effects Risk Assessment
All use patterns for the three peroxy compounds are considered indoor.
Risks to wildlife are considered minimal since exposure is extremely low or
nonexistent when the pesticides are used according to label directions.
Additional Data EPA is requiring product-specific data including product chemistry and
Required acute toxicity studies, revised Confidential Statements of Formula (CSF), and
revised product labeling for reregistration of products containing the peroxy
compounds.
Product Labeling
Changes Required
The labeling of all end-use products containing the peroxy compounds
must comply with EPA's current pesticide labeling requirements. In addition:
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
Labels of all end-use products for commercial, industrial and medical
uses must require mixers and applicators to use protective equipment
including protective clothing, rubber gloves, and goggles, a face shield
or safety glasses. Labels also must recommend washing (including
clothing) with soap and water after handling these pesticides.
Dilution Water pH Requirement
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Regulatory
Conclusion
For More
Information
Labels of products containing potassium peroxymonosulfate sulfate and
sodium chloride salts must specify the appropriate pH range of dilution
water, to ensure optimum and safe use.
The use of registered products containing the peroxy compounds will not
pose unreasonable risks or adverse effects to humans or the environment.
Therefore, all uses of these products are eligible for reregistration. These
products will be reregistered once the required product-specific data,
Confidential Statements of Formula and revised labeling are received and
accepted by EPA. Products also containing other active ingredients will be
reregistered only when the other active ingredients are eligible for
reregistration.
EPA is requesting public comments on the Reregistration Eligibility
Decision (RED) document for the Peroxy Compounds 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 document 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.
Following the comment period, the Peroxy Compounds RED document
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 EPA's pesticide reregistration program, the
Peroxy Compounds RED, or reregistration of individual products containing
peroxy compounds, please contact the Special Review and Reregistration
Division (7508W), OPP, US EPA, Washington, DC 20460, telephone 703-
308-8000.
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, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday.
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