Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – Granular Sodium Nitrite
1. Identification
Product Name: Sodium Nitrite, Granular
Chemical Name: Sodium Nitrite
Synonyms: Nitrous acid, sodium salt; Nitrite of soda
CAS Number: 7632-00-0
UN Number: 1500
Recommended Use: Used in industries for dye production, metal treatment, and water treatment processes.
Supplier Details: Name, address, and contact number for the manufacturer or distributor go here.
Emergency Contact: Local authority contact for hazardous material handling, plus poison control center details.
2. Hazard Identification
Classification: Oxidizing solid (Category 3); Acute toxicity, oral (Category 3)
Hazard Statement: Toxic if swallowed; Contact with acids liberates toxic gas; Strong oxidizer, increases risk of fire if near combustible materials.
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, Flame over circle (oxidizer)
Major Health Risks: Causes headache, dizziness, nausea, methemoglobinemia after ingestion, possible blood effects.
Physical Risks: Promotes combustion; risk of explosion with reducing agents; does not burn itself but enhances burning of other substances.
Environmental Risks: Hazardous to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
3. Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Identity: Sodium Nitrite
Concentration: 97-100% by weight
Impurities: Minor impurities may include sodium nitrate or other related nitrites at <1%.
Molecular Formula: NaNO2
Molecular Weight: 69.0 g/mol
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately; seek medical attention if symptoms persist; oxygen might be needed in severe cases.
Skin Contact: Rinse exposed skin with running water for 15 minutes; take off contaminated clothing; seek medical help for irritation or burns.
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; get immediate medical aid.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water; give water or milk if victim is conscious; contact poison control or doctor without delay.
Acute Symptoms: Watch for headache, dizziness, blue coloration of lips/fingers (cyanosis), confused thinking, shortness of breath—signs of methemoglobinemia must be addressed urgently.
5. Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray in large amounts; avoid dry chemicals or CO2 as sodium nitrite itself does not burn but enhances the flammability of others.
Unsuitable Media: Do not use foam or dry powder; might react.
Special Hazards: Releases nitrogen oxides (NOx), toxic fumes in fire conditions; non-combustible but supports burning of organic material.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters must use full protective gear along with self-contained breathing apparatus.
Firefighting Instructions: Move containers from fire area if safe; cool drummed material with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out; prevent run-off from entering water bodies.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Put on chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and a dust mask or respirator; avoid contact with skin and eyes; evacuate area if dust levels are high.
Environmental Precautions: Block spillage from entering lakes, streams, sewers, or soil; notify relevant authorities if significant environmental contamination risk exists.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep up spill while minimizing dust; place contaminated material in sealed containers for proper disposal; wash area with plenty of water.
Special Cleanup Practices: Do not use combustible cleaning materials; treat waste as hazardous.
7. Handling and Storage
Handling: Avoid breathing dust; use in well-ventilated area; keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; never mix with acids, organic materials, or reducing agents.
Storage: Store in tightly closed, labeled containers; use dry, well-ventilated storage areas away from incompatible materials; avoid sunlight, moisture, and physical damage; keep separate from food or animal feed.
Special Handling Notes: Keep material off wooden floors; use corrosion-resistant shelving; ground and bond containers during transfer; train workers about compound’s hazards and required protections.
8. Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV: 10 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction and vapor)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation; eyewash stations and emergency showers in work area.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles or face shield, laboratory coat or chemical suit, properly fitted respirator if dust exceeds threshold.
Hygiene Recommendations: Wash hands thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink or smoke in work area; launder soiled clothing before reuse.
Monitoring Procedures: Routine air sampling for dust; methemoglobin may be monitored in exposed workers.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: White to slightly yellow solid, granular or crystalline
Odor: Odorless
pH (5% solution): 8–9
Melting Point: 271°C (520°F)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Decomposition Temp: 320°C (608°F)
Solubility in Water: 82 g/100 mL (20°C)
Density: 2.17 g/cm3
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not applicable (non-flammable)
Explosion Properties: Risk with organic materials or strong reducing agents
10. Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; decomposes with heat.
Reactivity: Strong oxidizer; dangerous with acids, organic materials, and reducing agents; reacts to produce toxic gases (NOx).
Conditions to Avoid: Strong heat, sunlight, moisture, reducing environments, acids, and organic matter.
Incompatible Materials: Ammonium salts, combustible material, acids, strong reducing agents, cyanides.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, sodium oxide fumes when heated to decomposition.
11. Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact.
Acute Effects: Toxic if swallowed; signs include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, shortness of breath due to methemoglobinemia (affects oxygen delivery in blood).
Chronic Effects: Risk of anemia and harm to blood if repeated exposure occurs.
LD50 Oral (rat): 85 mg/kg
Sensitization: No data supporting allergic sensitization.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproduction: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, NTP, OSHA.
Target Organs: Blood, cardiovascular system.
12. Ecological Information
Acute Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic organisms (LC50 fish: 0.19 mg/L for 96h, for some species).
Chronic Aquatic Toxicity: May cause long-term damage in aquatic environments with repeated exposure; nitrate and nitrite accumulation can cause eutrophication.
Degradability: Nitrates and nitrites can persist in water; low potential for bioaccumulation.
Mobility in Soil: Highly soluble, leaches into water bodies easily.
Precautions: Avoid unauthorized discharges and follow proper containment practices.
13. Disposal Considerations
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of contents at licensed hazardous waste facilities.
Product Disposal: Fingers should not sweep product into sewers, waterways, or soil.
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly before discarding in designated hazardous waste streams.
Waste Codes: Follow local, regional, and national regulations for hazardous waste as outlined for sodium compounds.
Special Instructions: Neutralize leaks or spills with reducing agents only if trained and authorized.
14. Transport Information
UN Number: 1500
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Nitrite
Hazard Class: 5.1 (oxidizing substances)
Packing Group: II
Marine Pollutant: Yes
Transport Labels: Oxidizer label, toxic label required
Additional Info: Ensure upright transport in tightly sealed containers; check local, regional, international carriage requirements.
15. Regulatory Information
US TSCA Status: Listed
OSHA Hazards: Regulated as hazardous material (oxidizer, acute toxicant)
SARA 313: Subject to reporting
Canada WHMIS: Classification: D1A (very toxic), C (oxidizer)
EU REACH Status: Registered; substances of very high concern not included
Other Local Regulations: Refer to federal, state, and municipal environmental management offices for details on restrictions, safety measures, and record keeping.
