Material Safety Data Sheet of Sodium Nitrite

Identification

Chemical Name: Sodium Nitrite
Synonyms: Nitrous acid sodium salt, Soda nitrite, Nitrite of soda
CAS Number: 7632-00-0
Molecular Formula: NaNO₂
Recommended Use: Used in food preservation, dyes, pharmaceuticals, industry chemicals
Supplier Details: Company name, address, phone, emergency contact number

Hazard Identification

Classification: Acute Toxicity (Oral) Category 3, Eye Irritation Category 2A, Oxidizing Solid Category 3
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, flame over circle
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, causes serious eye irritation, may intensify fire (oxidizer)
Precautionary Statements: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using, wash hands after handling, keep away from combustibles, wear protective gloves and clothing
Health Hazards: Nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, risk of methemoglobinemia which reduces blood’s oxygen carry capacity, cyanosis
Environmental Hazards: Harmful to aquatic life, may cause long-lasting effects in the environment

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance Name: Sodium Nitrite
Chemical Formula: NaNO₂
Purity: 99-100%
Impurities or Stabilizing Additives: None reported when reagent grade
Common Additives: Often supplied pure for lab and industry use

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Keep patient comfortable and at rest. If breathing is labored, trained person may provide oxygen. Seek medical attention.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. If rash or irritation develops, seek medical help.
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy. Continue rinsing. Get prompt medical advice.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth. Give water if patient is conscious, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Call poison control and seek immediate medical help.
Symptoms: Cyanosis, vomiting, rapid breathing, confusion, potential seizures, and collapse due to low oxygen.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂ for small fires. Water spray most effective. Large fires, apply flooding quantities of water.
Hazards from Combustion: Releases toxic nitrogen oxides and sodium oxides on decomposition. Strong oxidizer can intensify flames.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear.
Special Procedures: Cool containers with water to prevent explosion. Prevent runoff from entering drains or waterways.
Recommendations: Avoid using dry combustibles, do not use chemical extinguishers with ammonium compounds due to explosive reaction.

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate area, ensure adequate ventilation, avoid breathing dust. Wear gloves, goggles, lab coat, and suitable respirator.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent release into drains, watercourses, soil. Alert authorities if significant release occurs.
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep up carefully, avoid raising dust, use non-sparking tools. Place residue in containers for disposal. Wash area with plenty of water.
Disposal: Dispose of as hazardous waste, follow federal, state, and local regulations.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use in a well-ventilated area. Do not breathe dust. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. No eating, drinking or smoking during handling.
Storage: Store tightly sealed in cool, dry area away from heat, moisture, incompatible materials (acids, amines, ammonium salts, reducing agents, combustibles). Separate from food and feed. Keep container upright and protected from mechanical damage.
Special Instructions: Use corrosion-resistant containers. Regularly check for leaks or damage.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: Not established. ACGIH TLV: Not established. Use workplace controls to keep exposures as low as possible.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation. Laboratory fume hood recommended for open handling.
Personal Protective Equipment: Eye protection (chemical goggles), skin protection (gloves, lab coat or apron), respiratory protection (dust respirator or NIOSH-approved mask as necessary). Wash hands after use.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White or slightly yellowish crystalline solid or powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 271°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes above 320°C
Solubility: Very soluble in water (82g/100ml at 20°C), sparingly soluble in alcohol
Density: 2.17 g/cm³ at 20°C
pH (solution): 8-9 for 10% wt/wt solution
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Partition coefficient n-octanol/water: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Not combustible but promotes combustion due to oxidizing properties
Other Information: Oxidizes many organic and inorganic substances.

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling. Decomposes at high temperatures.
Reactivity: Intense oxidizer, may react with reducing agents, acids, organic substances, ammonium compounds.
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, moisture, mixed storage with incompatibles.
Incompatible Materials: Ammonium salts, cyanides, thiocyanates, reducing agents, organic materials, acids.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, sodium oxides.
Polymerization: Will not occur.

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: LD₅₀ (oral, rat): 85 mg/kg. Toxic by ingestion.
Potential Health Effects: Ingestion may cause nausea, headache, dizziness, respiratory distress, methemoglobinemia. Signs include cyanosis, rapid heart rate, confusion.
Chronic Effects: Long term exposure linked to blood and spleen disorders. May increase risks for certain cancers or reproductive harm at extended high exposures.
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, inhalation, skin or eye contact.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA.
Other Data: Sensitive groups include those with G6PD deficiency, infants, pregnant women.

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms even at low concentrations. LC₅₀ (fish, 96h): 0.19-0.3 mg/L.
Mobility: Mobile in soil and water, may migrate to groundwater.
Environmental Fate: Breaks down to nitrate and then nitrogen via natural processes. Eutrophication risk for water bodies.
Bioaccumulation Potential: Does not accumulate in aquatic organisms.
Persistence: Persists in water, breaks down under biological activity.

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste based on local, state, and federal regulations. Incinerate at high temperatures or dissolve in excess water and neutralize before disposal at approved facility.
Precautions: Do not pour into drains or natural water sources.
Contaminated Packaging: Empty containers retain residues, handle as hazardous. Rinse and dispose of as regulated waste.

Transport Information

UN Number: 1500
UN Proper Shipping Name: Sodium nitrite
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: III
Label Requirements: Oxidizer label, toxic label if required
Special Transport Precautions: Avoid mixing with combustible materials, segregation from food/feedstuffs mandatory, protect from moisture during packaging and transit.
DOT, IATA, IMDG: Regulated and classified accordingly with response guidelines for spill or exposure

Regulatory Information

U.S. Regulations: OSHA hazardous chemical. Reportable under SARA Title III Section 313. Listed in TSCA inventory.
EU Regulations: CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 classification: Oxidizing solid, acute oral toxicity. Subject to REACH registration.
Canada: WHMIS Class C (oxidizing) and D1B (toxic)
International Inventories: Listed on EINECS, AICS, DSL, ENCS, KECL
Other: Use restricted in some countries for food applications. Strict label and transport requirements apply for bulk quantities.
Worker Advisory: Safety training required for those handling large amounts or repeated exposure.