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By Heather Robson
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is used in foods,
cleaning products, cosmetics and other household items.
It’s also used in pesticides.
It’s a naturally occurring compound found almost
everywhere, but there are still some environmental concerns regarding this
common compound.
Toxicity to Animals
Most animals do not have a bad reaction to sodium
bicarbonate, but according to the Materials Safety Data Sheet used by chemical
companies that use sodium bicarbonate, some animals can be harmed by high doses
of this compound.
Among those listed are the water flea, the bluegill and the
diatom.
Mutagenic Properties
Some chemical compounds can have a mutagenic affect on certain
animals.
Sodium bicarbonate is harmless to ecosystems and animals in
small amounts, but in large amounts it may damage the reproductive system of
certain species.
Researchers continue to investigate its effects. So far,
tests have focused on the effects of large oral doses in rats.
Persistence
The EPA considers sodium bicarbonate to have a minimal
environmental impact.
However, the equivalent organization in Canada has flagged
sodium bicarbonate for “suspected persistence.”
That means that sodium bicarbonate may not break down and
re-enter the ecosystem in a timely way.
Disposal Concerns
Like all chemical compounds, it’s important that businesses
that use large amounts of sodium bicarbonate dispose of it properly to mitigate
any damage it might possibly do to the environment.
Organizations and companies that use this compound must
follow local, state and federal laws regarding its proper disposal.
About the Author
Heather Robson has more than 10 years of
professional writing experience with articles appearing in publications such as
"Portland Magazine" and "Treasure Valley Family Magazine."
Her education is in physics and English literature, so she's ready to tackle
any topic that comes her way.
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