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Chemical Name: Sodium chlorite
Synonyms: Chlorous acid, sodium salt; Antimicrobial agent for water treatment and bleaching
CAS Number: 7758-19-2
Appearance: White or pale yellow crystalline solid
Odor: Slight chlorine-like smell
Molecular Formula: NaClO2
Common Uses: Water disinfection, bleaching textiles and paper, chemical synthesis, odor removal
Hazard Classifications: Oxidizer, toxic if ingested, causes irritation to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract
Principal Hazards: Fire risk by promoting combustion, risk of violent reaction with organic matter, strong acids; inhalation may produce headaches, dizziness, and breathing difficulty; ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, and more serious systemic effects
Pictogram Labels: Oxidizer, acute toxicity, irritation
Potential Health Effects: Chronic exposure can impact blood and kidneys, risk for methemoglobinemia (reduced oxygen delivery by blood)
Main Ingredient: Sodium chlorite, typically above 80% purity in reagents
Inorganic Impurities: Sodium chloride, sodium chlorate, minor traces of sodium carbonate may be present
Ingredient Contribution: Elevated sodium chlorite content drives hazard potential, secondary salts have less acute concern but aggregate in large exposures
Inhalation: Remove affected person to fresh air immediately; support breathing as needed; seek medical attention if irritation or symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Brush off loose crystals, flush skin with running water; remove contaminated clothing promptly; medical evaluation needed for persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently under running water for at least fifteen minutes; keep eyelids apart; seek prompt ophthalmologic consultation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek medical help immediately; possible risk of hemolysis and methemoglobinemia; monitor for abdominal pain, vomiting, or confusion under observation in a medical facility
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Large quantities of water, avoid dry chemical powder or carbon dioxide as sodium chlorite intensifies combustion
Unusual Fire and Explosion Risks: Compound decomposes releasing oxygen and chlorine dioxide gas, which can add to fire hazard; closed containers may rupture explosively due to gas pressure if exposed to high heat
Special Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus and complete body protection necessary for fire responders; approach from upwind
Fire Control Advice: Segregate sodium chlorite from flammable materials and organic substances at all times to stop risk of secondary fires
Spill Response: Wear protective equipment (gloves, goggles, mask); avoid creating dust; ventilate area; use inert absorbents such as sand or vermiculite, collect and place in labeled drums
Environmental Protection: Prevent from entering surface water, sewers, or soil; sodium chlorite is highly toxic to aquatic environment even in low concentrations
Disposal of Waste: Store spilled material for approved hazardous waste handling; secure from accidental mixing with incompatible organics or acids
Safe Handling: Use only in well-ventilated spaces; minimize dust generation; keep away from heat, sparks, open flames, and all sources of ignition; never combine with strong acids or reducing agents
Storage Requirements: Store inside tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers; isolation from organics and combustible materials; temperature stability maintained at ambient or cooler; limited exposure to sunlight and moisture prevents slow decomposition
Workplace Hygiene: Employees should wash hands thoroughly after handling and never eat, drink, or smoke in areas where sodium chlorite is used or stored
Occupational Exposure Limits: Regulatory bodies in several countries set workplace exposure limits for chlorite compounds; values often approach 0.1 ppm in air
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation required; emergency eyewash and safety showers should be within immediate reach; dedicated work zones for chemical mixing
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, butyl rubber), lab coats or coveralls, safety goggles or face shields; approved dust mask or cartridge respirators during handling outside of engineering controls
Monitoring: Regular air sampling and biological monitoring recommended for facilities handling large quantities
Physical State: Solid, granular or crystalline
Color: White to yellowish
Odor: Faint chlorine-like
Melting Point: Decomposition occurs before melting
Solubility: Soluble in water
pH (1% Solution): Alkaline, around 10-11
Relative Density: Slightly higher than water, typically near 2.5 g/cm3
Vapor Pressure: Negligible (not volatile at room temperature)
Chemical Stability: Product remains stable under recommended storage conditions; decomposes when heated, releasing toxic gases, loses stability in contact with acid or reducing agents
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, reducing agents, combustible organics, sulfur or ammonium compounds
Hazardous Reactions: Contact with acids liberates chlorine dioxide; accidental mixture with fuels, glycols, or sawdust produces intense oxidation and may detonate
Polymerization: Not known to undergo hazardous polymerization
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Rapid absorption can cause methemoglobinemia and hemolysis; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain appear at moderate doses
Chronic Effects: Extended exposure linked to anemia, kidney stress, and effects on white blood cell counts in animal studies
Carcinogenicity: No strong evidence from human data, but not ruled out by animal evidence
Other Effects: Sensitizes skin or eyes with repeated contact, risk of asthma-like symptoms in sensitized individuals
Reference Exposure Values: Occupational recommendations exist for sodium chlorite dust; long-term health monitoring recommended in industrial settings
Aquatic Toxicity: Even at levels below 1 mg/L, sodium chlorite impacts fish and invertebrate populations
Bacterial Impact: Strong disinfectant action disrupts wastewater treatment bacteria
Persistence and Degradability: Sodium chlorite degrades by reduction to chloride, but only under controlled chemical conditions, not in natural water without intervention
Risk for Bioaccumulation: Compound does not build up in living tissue, but ongoing exposure disrupts natural biological cycles
Soil Effects: Risk of run-off and contamination in sandy or low-organic soils, mobility increases in wet conditions
Waste Handling: Collect residues in properly labeled hazardous waste containers; never pour down sink, surface water, or regular waste
Neutralization: Treatment with sodium thiosulfate or reducing agents converts chlorite to less hazardous chloride; professional supervision ensures all reactions complete safely
Local Regulations: Authorities often require disposal through licensed hazardous waste contractors and prohibit landfill dumping
Container Decontamination: Triple-rinse and treat wash water as hazardous, strict monitoring helps avoid accidental release
Classification: Recognized as an oxidizer for land, sea, and air transport
Transport Hazard: Combustible and reactive material; special packing instructions prevent breakage and accidental mixing with organic or flammable substances
Labeling and Documentation: Clear hazardous materials markings required on all containers; transporters should carry emergency procedures for accidental spills or fire
Restrictions: International codes limit net quantities per package, sometimes requiring segregation from other chemicals during shipment
Global Listings: Subject to chemical safety regulation as oxidizer and aquatic toxin under international laws
Workplace Safety: Regulatory bodies specify operating limits, PPE minimums, required training, and emergency plans
Labeling Mandates: Hazard pictograms, warning statements, and instructions for safe use legally enforced in North America, Europe, and Asia
Environmental Controls: Effluent limits from industrial sites using sodium chlorite central in environmental licensing; periodic reporting and monitoring of releases part of compliance
