Product Name: Sodium Nitrite
Chemical Formula: NaNO2
CAS Number: 7632-00-0
Recommended Use: Laboratory chemical, preservative, corrosion inhibitor, dye manufacturing, pharmaceuticals
Manufacturer: Major chemical suppliers typically distribute this product for industrial and laboratory use
Emergency Contact: Refer to local poison control center and workplace safety officer for immediate guidance
Synonyms: Nitrous acid sodium salt, sodium salt of nitrous acid
Phone for Emergency: Local emergency numbers such as 911 or regional chemical spill hotlines
Classification: Oxidizing solid (Category 3), Acute Toxicity Oral (Category 3), Acute Toxicity Inhalation (Category 2), Eye Irritation (Category 2A), Aquatic Chronic Toxicity (Category 3)
Hazard Statements: Toxic if swallowed, fatal if inhaled, causes serious eye irritation, may cause methemoglobinemia, harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, strong oxidizer can intensify fire
Pictograms: Skull and crossbones, exclamation mark, oxidizer
Signal Word: Danger
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all contact, prevent mixing with organic or easily oxidizable materials, keep away from heat or flame, use proper protective gear, keep tightly sealed in approved containers
Sodium Nitrite: 100%
Chemical Name: Sodium Nitrite
CAS Number: 7632-00-0
Molecular Weight: 69.00 g/mol
Impurities: Trace levels from research or industrial suppliers may include sodium nitrate or moisture; always review batch-specific purity certificates
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately, provide oxygen if breathing becomes difficult, monitor for signs of cyanosis or confusion, seek emergency help
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with plenty of water, use mild soap, obtain medical attention for persistent irritation or burns
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with water for at least fifteen minutes, hold eyelids apart while flushing, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing until medical aid arrives
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, rinse mouth with water, drink small amounts of water only if conscious and alert, get immediate medical attention, show chemical label or MSDS to medical provider
Symptoms: Blue lips or fingernails, confusion, headache, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, fog, or regular foam, avoid use of dry chemical or carbon dioxide due to risk of violent reaction
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Never use dry chemical fire extinguishers such as ABC powder on oxidizers
Fire Hazards: Oxidizer supports combustion and can accelerate burning of other materials, may release toxic nitrogen oxides when heated
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters wear self-contained breathing apparatus and chemical-resistant protective clothing
Special Procedures: Remove containers from fire area only if this can be done safely, cool containers with large quantities of water if exposed to fire, contain the runoff to prevent environmental contamination
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unprotected personnel, ventilate area, avoid breathing dust or vapors, wear gloves, goggles, and a fitted mask or respirator
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains, surface water, or soil to reduce environmental impact, alert authorities if large spills threaten water sources
Spill Cleanup Methods: Sweep up carefully, use non-sparking tools, transfer to dry, clean container, avoid dry sweeping to minimize airborne dust, wash spill site after collection
Disposal of Cleanup: Dispose as hazardous waste according to local, regional, or national regulations, keep away from acids or reducing agents during cleanup
Handling: Work in well-ventilated areas, minimize dust generation, avoid all contact with skin and eyes, keep away from heat, flame, or incompatible materials, handle containers gently to reduce breakage and spills
Storage: Store in tightly closed, original containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location, segregate from acids, organic materials, and reducing agents, use corrosion-resistant shelving or cabinets, post warning signage at storage area, maintain inventory records for regulatory compliance
Engineering Controls: Use chemical fume hood, safety showers, eyewash stations near workstations, local exhaust for dust control
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 10 mg/m3 (total dust, not established for sodium nitrite specifically), ACGIH TLV not assigned for this substance
Protective Equipment: Safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant nitrile or neoprene gloves, lab coat or apron, NIOSH-approved respirator for higher exposures
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and forearms thoroughly after handling, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking near storage or use sites, change contaminated clothing promptly
Physical State: Crystalline powder or granules
Color: White to yellowish
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 271°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
pH (10% solution): Mildly alkaline (pH 8 – 9)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Density: About 2.17 g/cm3 at 20°C
Other: Decomposes fast on strong heating, releases toxic gases
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard conditions, decomposes under prolonged exposure to heat, light, or moisture
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, moisture, contact with acids or strong reducing agents, organic materials
Incompatible Materials: Ammonium salts, cyanides, thiocyanates, amines, acids, reducing agents, combustible organics
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Toxic nitrogen oxides, possible sodium oxides
Polymerization: Product does not polymerize but decomposes to form hazardous fumes if heated
Routes of Exposure: Ingestion, skin absorption, inhalation, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): 85 mg/kg, significant risk at low exposures
Symptoms of Exposure: Methemoglobinemia (impaired oxygen transport), skin or mucosal irritation, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness
Chronic Toxicity: Risk of kidney or liver damage, sensitization from repeated exposure, potential links to cancer not fully understood in humans
Carcinogenicity Status: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA as carcinogenic
Delayed Health Effects: Nitrate/nitrite exposure linked to blue baby syndrome in infants, exacerbates conditions in G6PD deficiency patients
Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to fish and aquatic invertebrates (LC50 (96h, fish): 0.4–1 mg/L)
Persistence and Degradability: Converts to nitrate or nitrogen oxides in environment, persists in surface waters fed by wastewater, causes eutrophication
Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation
Soil Impact: Causes disruption in soil microbial balance, alters nitrogen cycle, nitrate-rich runoff impacts downstream environments
Other Effects: Avoid discharge into habitats used for drinking water or aquaculture
Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose through licensed hazardous waste contractor, never pour down drain
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly, remove labels, puncture to prevent reuse, dispose according to local regulations
Precautions: Prevent exposure to acids or reducing agents during waste handling
Regulatory Notes: Classified as hazardous waste in most jurisdictions, specific disposal codes may apply based on country of use
UN Number: 1500
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Nitrite
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizing substances)
Packing Group: III
Transport Label: Oxidizing Agent
Special Requirements: Avoid transport with acids, combustibles, or other incompatible materials, ensure leak-proof containers, emergency response information accessible in case of accident
Regulatory References: DOT (US), IMDG, IATA regulations set specific instructions for shipping
Safety, Health, and Environmental Regulations: Sodium nitrite listed in TSCA inventory (US), subject to CLEAN WATER ACT discharge restrictions, registered under REACH (EU), included on workplace hazardous substances registers in most countries
Workplace Exposure: OSHA hazardous substance, Canadian WHMIS Class C Oxidizing, Class D1B Toxic
Labeling and Restrictions: GHS labeling applies globally, certain uses restricted in food additive laws (e.g., permissible limits for curing meats), California Prop 65 does not list sodium nitrite
Additional Considerations: Maintain MSDS or SDS on site accessible to all personnel, provide regular training for handling and emergency procedures, comply with national and international transport safety standards