Sodium Nitrate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Identification
Product Name: Sodium Nitrate
Chemical Formula: NaNO3
Synonyms: Sodium salt of nitric acid, Chile Saltpeter, Peru Saltpeter
CAS Number: 7631-99-4
Recommended Use: Fertilizer, laboratory reagent, food preservative, explosives component
Manufacturer: Contact supplier for information
Emergency Telephone Number: Supplier or local emergency response
Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Oxidizing Solid (Category 3), Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 5), Eye Irritation (Category 2B)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: May intensify fire; oxidizer. Harmful if swallowed. Causes eye irritation.
Pictograms: Flame over circle, exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and hot surfaces. Avoid breathing dust. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, eyes
Risk Phrases: Contact with combustible material may cause fire. Harmful if swallowed.
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Name: Sodium Nitrate
CAS Number: 7631-99-4
Concentration: Typically >99% by weight
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate
Molecular Weight: 85.00
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if breathing problems develop.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin with plenty of water. Get medical help if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Flush with water for several minutes lifting upper and lower eyelids. Obtain medical attention if irritation continues.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, give water to dilute. Do not induce vomiting. Get medical advice.
Notes to Physician: Treat with symptomatic and supportive care.
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, flooding quantities of water, dry chemical
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Do not use foam or carbon dioxide on this oxidizer.
Specific Hazards: May accelerate burning of combustible materials. Decomposition releases toxic gases including nitrogen oxides.
Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, protective clothing.
Explosion Data: Avoid mixing with organic or combustible substances.
Firefighting Precautions: Keep combustibles away, cool containers with water spray.
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Use appropriate personal protective equipment including dust mask, goggles, gloves.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent material from entering waterways, soil, drains.
Cleanup Methods: Collect spilled material using non-combustible tools and dry methods. Place in suitable containers for disposal.
Spill Response: Wash area with water after material removal, ventilate area.
Handling and Storage
Handling: Avoid creating dust. Do not mix with flammable or organic materials. Do not eat or drink in work area.
Storage Conditions: Store tightly closed in cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Separate from acids, reducing agents, combustibles.
Incompatible Materials: Reducing agents, acids, organic substances, finely divided metals.
Other Precautions: Maintain good housekeeping to prevent accumulation of product.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Occupational Exposure Limits: No OSHA PEL established. Some countries may set recommended limits, check local regulations.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation to minimize exposure.
Eye/Face Protection: Chemical safety goggles recommended.
Skin Protection: Gloves made of rubber or nitrile suggested.
Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or respirator where risk of airborne particles exists.
General Hygiene: Wash hands after handling. Do not eat, drink, or smoke near product.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: White, crystalline powder or granules
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Approx. 8 in 5% solution
Melting Point: 308 °C
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Highly soluble in water
Specific Gravity: 2.26
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Flash Point: Not flammable
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not determined
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Above 380 °C
Auto-ignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Viscosity: Not applicable
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to heat, contact with incompatible materials.
Incompatible Materials: Combustibles, organic materials, reducing agents, strong acids.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, sodium oxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Not known to occur.
Toxicological Information
Acute Toxicity: LD50 Oral - Rat: approx. 1267 mg/kg. Inhalation and dermal toxicity data limited.
Health Risks: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain after ingestion. Dust may irritate respiratory tract. Eye or skin contact can cause irritation.
Chronic Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure by ingestion may cause methemoglobinemia (reduction in blood’s oxygen-carrying ability).
Sensitization: No evidence of sensitization.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogen by IARC, OSHA, or NTP.
Mutagenicity: Evidence not conclusive.
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life due to eutrophication from nitrate ion. LC50 Fish (Lepomis macrochirus): 1378 mg/L (96h)
Persistence and Degradability: Readily soluble and mobile in water. Nitrate ion may persist and travel in groundwater.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Low for sodium nitrate itself, nitrate ions can contribute to environmental nutrient loading.
Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to solubility.
Other Adverse Effects: Excessive nitrate contamination can deplete oxygen and affect aquatic systems.
Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal: Dispose of in accordance with local, state, and national regulations. Do not release into sewers or natural water.
Contaminated Packaging: Wash thoroughly before disposal or recycling. Do not reuse for food or drink.
Special Considerations: Consult a licensed hazardous waste disposal contractor.
Transport Information
UN Number: 1498
UN Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Nitrate
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Oxidizer
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated as a marine pollutant
Special Precautions: Separate from acids, flammable, and organic substances during transport.
Regulatory Information
OSHA: Considered hazardous according to OSHA standards.
SARA Title III (Sections 302/311/312/313): Not listed as an extremely hazardous substance. Subject to reporting under SARA 313 if thresholds are met.
TSCA: Listed on the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory.
WHMIS Classification (Canada): Oxidizing material.
EU Classification: Oxidizing, Harmful
Other Regulations: Subject to applicable state and local inventory and reporting requirements.
