ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
SODIUM SULPHITE (Na2SO3)
SYNONYMS
None known.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid skin and eye contact.
Avoid inhalation or ingestion.
Keep away from heat.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
White crystalline powder.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
Sodium sulphite is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory
tract. Eye contact will cause redness, pain and blurred vision.
Skin contact will cause redness, pain and skin burns. Inhalation
causes sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath and
potentially fatal lung oedema. Lung oedema may not develop until
a few hours have passed after exposure. Ingestion causes
abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and kidney damage.
TREATMENTS
Skin immediately remove contaminated clothing and wash the
affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist or
burns develop, seek medical attention. Wash contaminated
clothing before reuse.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist or
vision does not clear, seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. If
breathing has ceased apply artificial respiration. Keep warm and
allow to rest in a halfupright position. Seek medical
attention.
Ingestion wash out the mouth thoroughly with water and give
water to drink. Seek immediate medical attention.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Acids and heating produces toxic fumes of sulphur dioxide.
STORAGE
Store in a cool, dry atmosphere away from heat and acids.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood to minimise exposure to this substance. Wear
protective clothing. A long sleeved laboratory coat or gown,
rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a minimum
standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Rubber gloves, safety glasses and laboratory coat. Work in a
fume hood or wear a respirator.
SPILLS:
Gas leak: eliminate all sources of ignition. If the valve is
leaking because it cannot be closed, the gas can be bubbled
through a calcium hypochlorite solution. Be sure to include a
trap in the line to prevent the solution being sucked back into
the cylinder.
Solid: cover the spill with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate. Mix
and spray with water. If effervescent wait until the reaction is
complete. Scoop into a large beaker and cautiously add an equal
volume of calcium hypochlorite (the reaction may be vigorous).
Add more water, stir and allow to stand for one hour. Dilute and
neutralise the oxidised solution and discharge to sewer with a
large excess of water.
PACKAGE LOTS:
If a gas, bubble into a soda ash solution. if a solid, mix with
an equal volume of soda and water to form a slurry, use a large
container. In either case add calcium hypochlorite. Add more
water if necessary and allow to stand for two hours. Neutralise
the oxidised solution then discharge to the sewer with a large
excess of water.
ENVIRONMENT:
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