Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Granular Sodium Nitrate
Identification
Product Name: Granular Sodium Nitrate
Chemical Formula: NaNO3
CAS Number: 7631-99-4
Recommended Use: Fertilizers, explosives, glass manufacturing, oxidizing agent
Manufacturer Details: Supplier address and emergency contact information available on shipping container and procurement record
Synonyms: Chile saltpeter, nitratine
UN Number: 1498
Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Oxidizer (Category 3), Eye Irritant (Category 2A)
Signal Word: Warning
Pictograms: Flame over circle (oxidizer), exclamation mark (irritation)
Hazard Statements: Supports combustion, causes serious eye irritation, may intensify fire, dust can irritate respiratory tract
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat and combustible materials, avoid dust formation, wash thoroughly after handling, wear protective equipment
Label Elements: Use hazard pictograms and safety phrases on all containers
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Name: Sodium Nitrate
Concentration: 98-100% by weight
Impurities: Minor traces of sodium chloride, sulfate compounds, insoluble residues
Molecular Weight: 85.0 g/mol
Other Constituents: No stabilizers or additives reported
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air immediately, keep at rest, seek medical attention if breathing is difficult or symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash off thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing, seek treatment for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing, seek medical care if irritation continues
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical advice, provide symptomatic care
Symptoms: Coughing, shortness of breath, redness or pain in eyes, nausea, headache after ingestion
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Large volumes of water (flooding quantities), avoid dry chemicals or foams
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use CO2, dry chemicals, or halon-based extinguishers as sodium nitrate is a strong oxidizer
Special Hazards: Intensifies combustion of other materials, may release toxic nitrogen oxides and sodium oxides when heated
Protective Equipment: Use full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, keep containers cool with water spray
Firefighting Instructions: Approach from upwind, prevent run-off from entering drains or waterways, isolate area if possible
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, chemical resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection
Environmental Precautions: Avoid discharge into drains, surface water, or soil, contain spill with non-combustible materials
Clean-up Methods: Scoop or shovel into clearly labeled containers, avoid generating dust, wash spill area with water after removal
Emergency Procedures: Evacuate non-essential personnel, ventilate space, restrict access during clean-up
Handling and Storage
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas, minimize dust generation, keep away from sources of heat or ignition, never mix with organic materials or reducing agents
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking, change contaminated clothing immediately
Storage: Store in closed containers, isolated from combustibles and incompatible substances, protect from moisture, keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated location, store away from acids, organically based chemicals, and reducing materials
Packaging Materials: Use corrosion-resistant packaging such as high-density polyethylene or lined steel containers
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: Not established for sodium nitrate but limit dust exposure to general nuisance dust limits
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation recommended, eye wash stations and safety showers in work area
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles or face shield, nitrile or neoprene gloves, long sleeves and pants, dust respirator (P2 or N95 standard)
Environmental Controls: Prevent product from entering waterways or soil, use containment systems for spill management
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: White to colorless crystalline granules
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 308°C (586°F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes above 380°C (716°F)
Solubility: Easily soluble in water
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient conditions
Specific Gravity: 2.257 (water = 1)
pH (10% solution): 8 to 10
Flash Point: Not applicable (non-flammable solid, oxidizer)
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Density: 2.26 g/cm³
Explosive Properties: Not explosive, but can intensify combustion of organic material
Partition coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures, sensitive to heat and reducing agents
Reactive Conditions: Reacts with acids, reducing materials, organics; may give off toxic nitrogen oxides
Hazardous Polymerization: Not known to occur
Incompatible Materials: Reducing agents, acids, powdered metals, combustible substances, ammonium compounds, sulfur, phosphorous
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides (NOx), sodium oxides
Toxicological Information
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 1267 mg/kg
Inhalation: Dust may irritate respiratory system; long-term exposure may affect oxygen transport (methemoglobinemia)
Skin Contact: Not a primary skin irritant but may cause dryness on prolonged contact
Eye Contact: Causes eye irritation, redness, and pain
Sensitization: Not classified as a skin sensitizer
Chronic Effects: Prolonged ingestion can cause digestive issues, blood methemoglobinemia
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by NTP, IARC, ACGIH, or OSHA
Mutagenicity: No mutagenic effects reported
Reproductive Toxicity: No reliable evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity
Ecological Information
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly soluble, may cause nitrate enrichment in water bodies, promotes eutrophication, toxic to aquatic life at elevated concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Highly mobile in soil, not readily biodegradable, persists in the environment
Bioaccumulation Potential: Low; not known to bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: Leaches rapidly through soil due to high solubility
Other Adverse Effects: Large releases may impact groundwater quality, potential risk to plants via nitrate uptake
Disposal Considerations
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of contents/container through licensed waste disposal contractor, comply with federal, state, and local regulations
Reuse/Recycling: Material suitable for recycling in controlled industrial systems
Waste Code: Not classified as hazardous waste in its unused form; consult site-specific codes and guidelines for nitrate disposal
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly and dispose according to local requirements
Precautions: Do not pour to drains or aquatic environments, avoid mixing with organic or flammable waste
Transport Information
UN Number: UN 1498
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Nitrate
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizing substance)
Packing Group: III
Label Required: Oxidizer
Marine Pollutant: No
Transport Notes: Protect from moisture, segregate from combustibles, acids and reducing materials, comply with all national and international transport regulations (DOT, IMDG, ICAO/IATA)
Regulatory Information
EU Regulations: Listed on EINECS (231-554-3), subject to REACH restrictions for certain uses
US Regulations: Listed in TSCA inventory, not regulated as a hazardous waste by EPA, EPCRA Section 313 reporting due to nitrate compounds
Canadian Regulations: Listed on DSL/NDSL, subject to provincial and national restrictions for large storage
Other International Regulation: Refer to country-specific regulations for handling, storage, and disposal
Workplace Restrictions: OSHA hazard communication standard applies, worker training required under GHS
Labeling: Store, handle, and transport with appropriate hazard labels and precautionary statements per GHS and CLP standards
