Ingredient Dictionary

POTASSIUM BICARBONATE

Potassium hydrogencarbonate is a potassium salt that is the monopotassium salt of carbonic acid.

Definition

Potassium hydrogencarbonate is a potassium salt that is the monopotassium salt of carbonic acid. It has fungicidal properties and is used in organic farming for the control of powdery mildew and apple scab. It has a role as a buffer, a food acidity regulator, a raising agent and an antifungal agrochemical. It is an organic salt and a potassium salt. It contains a hydrogencarbonate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII HM5Z15LEBN · registered name Potassium Bicarbonate · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Carbonate Salts as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name 炭酸水素Ｋ: 本品は、次の化学式で表される炭酸塩である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

POTASSIUM BICARBONATEINCI포타슘바이카보네이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Carbonic acid, monopotassium saltSynonym炭酸水素ＫJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 298-14-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 206-059-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID0021177
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID201177

IUPAC: Potassium hydrogen carbonate
Molecular formula: CHKO3
Molecular weight: 100.114 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: CBI, Dry Powder, Liquid · Colourless crystals or white powder or granules
Melting point: Decomposes before melting
Solubility: Soluble · Freely soluble in water. Insoluble in ethanol
Density: 2.17 @25 °C
Dissociation constant: 6.37
Colour: colourless, white
Odour: odourless
pH: 8.2 ()
Melting/freezing point: 127 ℃
Water solubility: (22.4% at 20℃)
Relative density: 2.17 ()
Molecular weight: 100.12

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 24 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

pH regulating agent5
Processing aids not otherwise specified5
Chemical reaction regulator2
Surfactant (surface active agent)2
Flavouring and nutrient2
Intermediate1
Soil amendments1
Pharmaceutical disintegrant (EPA)1

5 other uses

Filler1
Leavening agent (EPA)1
Stabilizing agent1
Other1
Biocide1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

4 skin studies and 5 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low6

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 9 studies

Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to EPA OPP 81-6 (Skin Sensitisation) US EPA Pesticide Assessment Guidelines, Subdivision F, Hazard Evaluation: Human and Domestic Animals, November 1984, Acute Exposure, Guinea Pig Sensitization (Buehler) equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: FDA, Appraisal of the Safety of Chemicals in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 1959 according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to other guideline: US EPA Pesticide Assessment Guidelines, Subdivision F, Hazard Evaluation: Human and Domestic Animals, November 1984, Acute Exposure, Guinea Pig Sensitization (Buehler)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: US EPA Pesticide Assessment Guidelines, Subdivision F, Hazard Evaluation: Human and Domestic Animals, November 1984, Acute Exposure, Skin Irritation according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: FDA, Appraisal of the Safety of Chemicals in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 1959 according to
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: FDA, Appraisal of the Safety of Chemicals in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 1959 according to
Severe Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: EPA 16 CFR 1500.42 according to
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to