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Cryolite. Chemical Fact Sheet. Cornell University. June 1983.
sodium aluminum fluoride (cryolite) Chemical Fact Sheet 6/83
CHEMICAL FACT SHEET FOR: CRYOLITE FACT SHEET NUMBER: 02 DATE ISSUED: JUNE, 1983 1. DESCRIPTION OF CHEMICAL - Generic Name: Sodium fluoaluminate or sodium aluminofluoride - Common Name: cryolite (natural or synthetic) - Trade Name: Kryocide - EPA Shaughnessy Code: 075101 - Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number: 15096-52-3 or 1344-75-8 - Year of Initial Registration: about 1967 - Pesticide Type: Insecticide - Chemical Family: Aluminofluoride salt - U.S. and Foreign Producer: Pennwalt Corporation 2. USE PATTERNS AND FORMULATIONS - Application sites: domestic and non-domestic terrestrial food crops and ornamentals - Types of formulations: wettable powder, dusts - Types and methods of application: aerial or ground application as a spray or dust - Application rates: varies from 6 to 50 lbs./acre - Usual carriers: Confidential Business Information - Efficacy review results: no efficacy data required 3. SCIENCE FINDINGS Chemical Characteristics - Technical grade cryolite may be the naturally occurring fluoride of sodium and aluminum called natural cryolite, or it may be the manufactured material of similar composition called synthetic cryolite. Both forms are a solid, with melting points of 1000 degrees C for the synthetic and 1009 degrees C for the natural cryolite. Natural cryolite may be white, black, purple, or violet. The synthetic cryolite is white. cryolite is completely stable under normal storage conditions. There are no unusual handling characteristics. Toxicological Characteristics - No toxicological hazards of concern have been identified based on the studies reviewed for the standard. - Acute dermal LD50, rabbit: >2.1 g/kg (Tox Category III) - Acute inhalation LD50: <5.03 mg/l, 2.06 mg/l (Tox Category III) - Primary dermal irritation, rabbit: P.I. score = 0.0, not an irritant (Tox Category IV) - Primary eye irritation, rabbit: moderate conjunctival irritation that disappeared within 7 days (Tox Category III) - A sequential testing approach is being applied to this compound because the chemical properties are unique. Therefore, after review of the studies required under the standard (a 90-day feeding study in the rat and dog), additional subchronic and chronic studies may be required. Physiological and Biochemical Behavioral Characteristics - Mechanism of pesticidal action: stomach poison - Mechanism and persistence in plants and animals: not known Environmental Characteristics There are no available data on cryolite. However, based on the chemical and physical characteristics, none of the usual environmental fate data normally required would yield useful information, with the exception of hydrolysis and leaching studies which are required under the standard. Ecological Characteristics - Based on current data, cryolite has been determined to be practically non-toxic to bobwhite quail and mallard ducks in subacute doses; however, hazards to birds, fish and aquatic invertebrates may be greater than previously supposed. Additional data are required to address this concern. - Dietary LC50 (mallard duck and bobwhite quail): >10,000 ppm (practically nontoxic) - Freshwater invertebrates LC50 (Daphnia pulex): 10 ppm (moderately toxic) - Fish acute LC50 (rainbow trout): 47 ppm (slightly toxic) - Fish acute LC50 (bluegill sunfish): >300 ppm (practically nontoxic) Tolerance Assessment - Tolerances have been established (40 CFR 10.145) of 7 ppm of combined fluorine for residues of the insecticidal fluorine compounds cryolite and synthetic cryolite in or on each of the following raw agricultural commodities: apples, apricots, beans, beets (with or without tops) or beet greens alone, blackberries, blueberries (huckleberries), boysenberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, citrus fruits, corn, collards, cranberries, eggplants, grapes, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, loganberries, melons, mustard greens, nectarines, okra, peaches, peanuts, pears, peas, peppers, plums (fresh prunes), pumpkins, quinces, radishes (with or without tops) or radish tops, raspberries, rutabagas (with or without tops) or rutabaga tops, squash, strawberries, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips (with or without tops) or turnip greens, youngberries. - Specific residue data are being required on a number of crops. The Agency will assess all cryolite tolerances after the necessary toxicity and residue data are received. Residue data are required to ascertain the need for food additive tolerances for the following processed commodities: apple pomace (wet and dry), apple juice, bean cannery waste, citrus (peel, oil, dried pulp, and molasses), corn (oil and milled fractions), mustard seed, tomato pomace (wet and dry, juice, puree, catsup). - Livestock feeding studies are required to ascertain the extent of carryover (if any) into meat, milk, poultry and eggs, and the need to establish tolerances for these commodities. Summary Science Statement - Based on data reviewed for the Cryolite Standard, cryolite exhibits low to moderate toxicity to humans (Toxicity Category III-IV), fish, and wildlife. - However, since a number of toxicology and residue data gaps exist, the Agency is unable to complete a risk assessment. 4. SUMMARY OF REGULATORY POSITION AND RATIONALE - Use classification: not classified - Use restrictions: none - Unique warning statements: none - No toxicological hazards of concern have been identified in the studies reviewed for this standard. However, since a number of toxicology and residue data gaps exist, the Agency is unable to complete a risk assessment of cryolite. 5. SUMMARY OF MAJOR DATA GAPS - Product chemistry: most of these data are lacking for the natural cryolite. Data to be submitted by December 1983. - Residue chemistry: residue data are lacking on all crops for which tolerances are established with the exception of grapes. Further, there are no data available on the processing of commodities other than raisins. Livestock feeding studies are required to ascertain the extent of carryover (if any) into meat, milk, poultry, and eggs. Data must be submitted by dune 1986. - Toxicology: oral LD50 (rat), dermal sensitization, 90-day feeding (rat and dog), mutagenicity studies. Chronic studies may be required following receipt and evaluation of acute, subchronic, and residue data. Data must be submitted by December. 1983. - Environmental fate: hydrolysis and leaching studies. Data must be submitted by June 1986. 6. CONTACT PERSON AT EPA William H. Miller Product Manager (16) Insecticide-Rodenticide Branch Registration Division (TS-767) Environmental Protection Agency Washington, DC 20460 (703) 557-2600 DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS CHEMICAL INFORMATION FACT SHEET IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT TO BE USED TD FULFILL DATA REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDE REGISTRATION AND REREGISTRATION.