Sodium carbonate |

Last updated: 26/08/2025
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(Also known as: disodium carbonate; soda ash; trona) |
The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.
Environmental fate |
Ecotoxicity |
Human health |
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An inorganic multi-purpose herbicide, fungicide and microbiocide used mainly for non-crop applications |
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Algae; Fungi; Bacteria; Moss; Liver worts; Slime molds |
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Ornamentals; Turf; Greenhouses; Storage areas; Paths & walkways |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Not approved |
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Expired |
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No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent |
EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414) |
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Not approved |
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Not applicable |
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Expired |
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- |
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Yes |
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ATAustria |
BEBelgium |
BGBulgaria |
CYCyprus |
CZCzech Republic |
DEGermany |
DKDenmark |
EEEstonia |
ELGreece |
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ESSpain |
FIFinland |
FRFrance |
HRCroatia |
HUHungary |
IEIreland |
ITItaly |
LTLithuania |
LULuxembourg |
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LVLatvia |
MTMalta |
NLNetherlands |
PLPoland |
PTPortugal |
RORomania |
SESweden |
SISlovenia |
SKSlovakia |
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ISIceland |
NONorway |
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None |
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Na₂CO₃ |
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C(=O)([O-])[O-].[Na+].[Na+] |
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No data |
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CDBYLPFSWZWCQE-UHFFFAOYSA-L |
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InChI=1S/CH2O3.2Na/c2-1(3)4;;/h(H2,2,3,4);;/q;2*+1/p-2 |
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Yes |
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Herbicide; Fungicide; Other substance |
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pH modifier; Microbiocide |
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Inorganic compound |
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- |
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- |
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Natural |
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Not clear but carbonates appear to damage spore cell wall membranes |
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Sodium carbonate is widespread in nature as constituents of mineral waters and as the solid minerals natron, trona, and thermonatrite |
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Crop protection and general pest management |
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Algae; Fungi; Bacteria; Moss; Liver worts; Slime moulds |
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Ornamentals; Turf; Greenhouses; Storage areas; Paths & walkways |
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- |
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497-19-8 |
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207-838-8 |
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- |
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073506 |
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10340 |
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011-005-00-2 |
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105.99 |
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sodium carbonate |
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sodium carbonate |
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sodium carbonate |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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None allocated |
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None allocated |
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Not applicable |
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NC |
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- |
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White powder |
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Current |
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- |
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- J & K Scientific Ltd.
- Biosafe Systems
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Usually formulated as powders or granules |
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Sodium carbonate is produced commercially through the Solvay process, a widely used industrial method. This process begins with brine (sodium chloride solution) and limestone (calcium carbonate), which are reacted with ammonia. Carbon dioxide is bubbled through the ammoniated brine, precipitating sodium bicarbonate, which is then filtered, dried, and heated to form sodium carbonate. |
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Based on the Solvay process, production of sodium carbonate generates approximately 0.46 kg of CO₂e per kilogram of product. |
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217000 |
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High |
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- |
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951 |
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- |
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1600 |
L3 L = Pesticide manuals and hard copy reference books / other sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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6.46 X 10-07 |
Calculated |
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-6.19 |
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Low |
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- |
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- |
- |
- |
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2.53 |
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- |
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- |
- |
- |
- |
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1.00 X 10-10 |
Q1 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 1 = Estimated data with little or no verification |
Low volatility |
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- |
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- |
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- |
- |
- |
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- |
- |
- |
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- |
- |
- |
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- |
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0.1 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Non-persistent |
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0.1 |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Non-persistent |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Rapidly disperses in the soil |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Stable |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable |
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- |
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Stable |
Q3 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 3 = Unverified data of known source |
Stable |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. |
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Soil adsorption and mobility |
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Q2 Q = Miscellaneous data from online sources 2 = Unverified data of unknown source |
Very mobile |
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1 |
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Estimated |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
None
Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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4090 |
Rat |
Low |
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- |
- |
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- |
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- |
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850 |
Pimephales promelas |
Low |
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- |
- |
- |
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- |
- |
- |
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265 |
Daphnia magna |
Low |
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- |
- |
- |
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> 156 |
Ceriodaphnia dubia |
Low |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
- |
- |
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- |
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- |
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800 |
Raphidocelis subcapitata |
Low |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION |
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High (class III) |
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- |
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4090 |
Rat |
Low |
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2210 |
Mouse |
- |
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2.30 |
Rat 2 hr |
- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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Carcinogen |
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Endocrine disruptor |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
A0 A = Chromosome aberration (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; B0 B = DNA damage/repair (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; C0 C = Gene mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; D0 D = Genome mutation (EFSA database) 0 = No data ; E0 E = Unspecified genotoxicity type (miscellaneous data source) 0 = No data |
No data found |
Reproduction / development effects |
Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor |
Neurotoxicant |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
XNo, known not to cause a problem |
Respiratory tract irritant |
Skin irritant |
Skin sensitiser |
?Possibly, status not identified |
?Possibly, status not identified |
No data found |
Eye irritant |
Phototoxicant |
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✓Yes, known to cause a problem |
No data found |
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Chronic exposure may lead to dermatitis and ulceration |
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Hygroscopic |
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Health: H319 |
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Not listed (Not listed) |
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Not regulated |
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- |
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sodium carbonate |
|
carbonate de sodium |
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Natriumcarbonat |
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natriumcarbonat |
|
carbonato di sodio |
|
carbonato de sodio |
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- |
|
weglan sodu |
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- |
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- |
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- |
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- |
Record last updated: |
26/08/2025 |
Contact: |
aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: |
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |