PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

H.S. CODE

UN NO.

CLASSIFICATION

EXTRA NOTES

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

270 C

8-9 (10 g/l aq.sol)

AUTOIGNITION

> 320 C (Decomposition)

NFPA RATINGS

Health 3, Flammability 0, Instability 2, Physical hazards OX

REFRACTIVE INDEX

EXTERNAL LINKS & GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Wikipedia Linking

Material Safety Data Sheet

Google Scholar Search

http://www.ehow.com/
Uses of Sodium Nitrate
Pesticides:Many different pesticides utilize sodium nitrate, including rodenticides (for killing rodents like mice and rats), insecticides (for killing insects and other bugs) and predacides (for killing large pests like raccoons and skunks). Sodium nitrate does not directly poison these pests, but instead, it chemically reacts with other substances (like sulfur) to combust charcoal, according to the Environmental Protection Agency at epa.gov. All of this occurs inside of a cartridge, which then seeps out a toxic gas that is produced by the combustion.
Food Preservatives:Sodium nitrate is also known for its antimicrobial properties. For this reason, it is commonly used for preserving foods, particularly when it comes to curing meats, according to edinformatics.com. Sodium nitrate is not harmful when ingested (as mentioned above, it is found naturally in some vegetables); however, you should make sure not to confuse the compound with sodium nitrite; another preservative, which has been known to produce carcinogenic effects in certain circumstances.
Fireworks:The brilliant colors associated with fireworks are the result of burning metal salts, such as calcium chloride, barium chloride and sodium nitrate. According to scifun.org, the atoms in each salt generate specific colors as they combust, which is a function of how much energy they release. When sodium nitrate combusts, the heated sodium electrons become excited, and eventually release energy at approximately 200 kj/mol. This happens to be the energy amount that produces the color yellow, and for that reason firework makers use sodium nitrate to generate yellow flames and sparks.
Fertilizers:Sodium nitrate is also used as an ingredient in many fertilizers, as a way to increase nitrogen content in soil. In addition to helping prevent soil erosion, nitrogen helps roots grow thick and strong by increasing carbon production in plants, which in turn increases biomass. The majority of mixed fertilizers include sodium nitrate, or another nitrogen-based compound, as one of their three main ingredients, with the other two substances being phosphorus and potassium (although it is also possible to a buy a strictly nitrogen-based fertilizer, if you want). According to ncagr.gov, when choosing a mixed fertilizer, the amount of nitrogen will be the first number listed on the packaging, and usually represents a percentage amount (the second two numbers will indicate phosphorus and potassium content).

http://www.inchem.org/
Production Volumes and Use Pattern: Total production of sodium nitrite in Japan was 10,000 - 50,000 t/year in 2001. Worldwide production of sodium nitrite is not available. Sodium nitrite is widely used in various industries in categories including agricultural, basic chemicals, chemical industry, electrical/electronic engineering industry, fuel industry, metal extraction, refining and processing of metals, paints/lacquers and varnishes industry, polymers industry, public domain, textile processing industry and others. Sodium nitrite is used as a raw material for the production of caprolactam polymers and antioxidants for synthetic polymers. It is used as a colour fixative and preservative in meats and fish. It is also used in: adhesives, binding agents, anti-freezing agents, cleaning/washing agents, disinfectants, colouring agents, construction materials additives, corrosive inhibitors, cutting fluids, fillers, food/foodstuff additives, heat transferring agents, intermediates, laboratory chemicals, lubricants and additives, non agricultural pesticides, oxidizing agents, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, process regulators, reducing agents, stabilizers, surface-active agents.

APPEARANCE

MOISTURE

0.5% max

0.1% max

Hazard Overview: Oxidizer: Contact with combustible/organic material may cause fire. Toxic if swallowed. May cause central nervous system effects. May cause cyanosis. May cause methemoglobinemia. May cause skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritation. Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
Hazard Symbols: O T N, Risk Phrases: 8-25-50, Safety Phrases: 45-61