SODIUM NITRATE

MSDS Number: S4442 --- Effective Date: 11/17/99


1. Product Identification

Synonyms: Nitratine; nitric acid, sodium salt; sodium saltpeter; sodium nitrate, crystal
CAS No.: 7631-99-4
Molecular Weight: 84.99
Chemical Formula: NaNO3
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker: 3770, 3771, 4501
Mallinckrodt: 4484, 7709, 7793, 7796, 7804, 7808, 7811

2. Composition/Information on Ingredients


  Ingredient                                CAS No         Percent   Hazardous                                       
  ---------------------------------------   ------------   -------   ---------        
 
  Sodium Nitrate                            7631-99-4      99 - 100%    Yes                                                                  
 

3. Hazards Identification

Emergency Overview
--------------------------
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.

J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
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Health Rating: 1 - Slight
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 3 - Severe (Oxidizer)
Contact Rating: 1 - Slight
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT
Storage Color Code: Yellow (Reactive)
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Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Inhalation of dust irritates the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing, shortness of breath.
Ingestion:
May cause gastroenteritis and abdominal pains. Other symptoms may include dizziness, bloody diarrhea, convulsions, and collapse. Purging and diuresis can be expected. Small repeated doses may cause headache and mental impairment. Rare cases of nitrates being converted to the more toxic nitrites have been reported, mostly with infants.
Skin Contact:
May cause irritation, symptoms including redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact:
May cause irritation, symptoms including redness, itching, and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Under some circumstances methemoglobinemia occurs in individuals when the nitrate is converted by bacteria in the stomach to nitrite. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart beat, irregular breathing, convulsions, coma, and death can occur should this conversion take place.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Workers with a history of kidney or lung disease may be more susceptible to the effects of this substance.

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention for any breathing difficulty.
Ingestion:
Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Remove any contaminated clothing. Wipe off excess from skin. Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.

5. Fire Fighting Measures

Fire:
Not combustible, but substance is a strong oxidizer and its heat of reaction with reducing agents or combustibles may cause ignition.
Explosion:
Explosive with shock, heat or friction. Sodium Nitrate decomposes explosively when heated > 538C (1000F). Sensitive to mechanical impact.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool.
Special Information:
Wear full protective clothing and breathing equipment for high-intensity fire or potential explosion conditions. This oxidizing material can increase the flammability of adjacent combustible materials.

6. Accidental Release Measures

Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the air. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal and place in a closed container. Small amounts of residue may be flushed to sewer with plenty of water.


7. Handling and Storage

Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage and moisture. Isolate from any source of heat or ignition. Avoid storage on wood floors. Separate from incompatibles, combustibles, organic or other readily oxidizable materials. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Airborne Exposure Limits:
None established.
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures as low as possible. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
For conditions of use where exposure to the dust or mist is apparent, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-face positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves, lab coat, apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where dusting or splashing of solutions is possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance:
White crystals.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
81.5 g/100 g water @ 15C (59F)
Specific Gravity:
2.26
pH:
Aqueous solution is neutral.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
380C (716F)
Melting Point:
308C (586F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
No information found.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.

10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Emits nitrous oxides when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Reacts with acids to emit toxic fumes of nitrogen dioxide. Contact with the following may cause an explosion: barium rhodanide, boron phosphide, cyanides, sodium thiosulfate, sodium hypophosphite, sulfur plus charcoal, powdered aluminum and aluminum oxide. Fibrous organic material such as jute, wood, and similar cellulosic materials can become highly combustible by nitrate impregnation.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flame, ignition sources, shock, friction, incompatibles.

11. Toxicological Information


Oral rat LD50: 1267 mg/kg. Investigated as a tumorigen, mutagen, reproductive effector.
  --------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
                                         ---NTP Carcinogen---
  Ingredient                             Known    Anticipated    IARC Category
  ------------------------------------   -----    -----------    -------------
  Sodium Nitrate (7631-99-4)              No          No            None

12. Ecological Information

Environmental Fate:
No information found.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.

13. Disposal Considerations

Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

14. Transport Information

Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1498
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 12X25LB

International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1498
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 12X25LB


15. Regulatory Information

  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
  Ingredient                                       TSCA  EC   Japan  Australia
  -----------------------------------------------  ----  ---  -----  ---------
  Sodium Nitrate (7631-99-4)                        Yes  Yes   Yes      Yes                                      
 
  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
                                                          --Canada--
  Ingredient                                       Korea  DSL   NDSL  Phil.
  -----------------------------------------------  -----  ---   ----  -----
  Sodium Nitrate (7631-99-4)                        Yes   Yes   No     Yes                             
 
  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
                                             -SARA 302-    ------SARA 313------
  Ingredient                                 RQ    TPQ     List  Chemical Catg.
  -----------------------------------------  ---   -----   ----  --------------
  Sodium Nitrate (7631-99-4)                 No    No      No    Nitrate Cmpd
 
  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
                                                        -RCRA-    -TSCA-
  Ingredient                                 CERCLA     261.33     8(d) 
  -----------------------------------------  ------     ------    ------
  Sodium Nitrate (7631-99-4)                 No         No         No                   
 
 
Chemical Weapons Convention:  No     TSCA 12(b):  No     CDTA:  No
SARA 311/312:  Acute: Yes      Chronic: No   Fire: No  Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes         (Pure / Solid)  


Australian Hazchem Code: 1[T]
Poison Schedule: No information found.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.

16. Other Information

NFPA Ratings: Health: 1 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 1 Other: Oxidizer
Label Hazard Warning:
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Label Precautions:
Keep from contact with clothing and other combustible materials.
Store in a tightly closed container.
Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly.
Avoid breathing dust.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. In all cases, get medical attention.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
No changes.
Disclaimer:
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Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
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Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)