The following information was generated from the ... - BVSDE

The following information was generated from the 

Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), 

a database of the National Library of Medicine's TOXNET system 

(http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov) on January 3, 2005. 

Query: The chemical name nitrite was identified. 

The following terms were added from ChemIDplus: 

nitrogen protoxide 

CAS Registry Number: 14797-65-0 

The chemical name nitrite was identified. 



The chemical name sodium was identified. 


natrium 


2 

NAME: SODIUM NITRITE 

HSN: 757 

RN: 7632-00-0 

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS: 

HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS: 

THE TWO BASIC ACTIONS OF SODIUM NITRITE IN VIVO ARE RELAXATION OF SMOOTH 

MUSCLE, ESP OF SMALL BLOOD VESSELS, AND IN TOXIC DOSES THE CONVERSION OF 

HEMOGLOBIN TO METHEMOGLOBIN. [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. 

Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams 

and Wilkins, 1984.III-314]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF NITRITE POISONING INCLUDE INTENSE CYANOSIS, NAUSEA, 

VERTIGO, VOMITING, COLLAPSE, SPASMS OF ABDOMINAL PAIN, TACHYCARDIA, 

TACHYPNEA, COMA, CONVULSIONS AND DEATH. INJECTION AND INFLAMMATION OF 

GASTRIC AND INTESTINAL MUCOSA ARE DESCRIBED AT AUTOPSY. /INORGANIC NITRITE 

SALTS/ [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of 

Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 

1984.II-315]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SYMPTOMATOLOGY: PROMPT FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE. HEADACHE WHICH IS 

PERSISTENT & THROBBING, WITH ASSOC PALPITATIONS & VISUAL 

DISTURBANCES. SKIN IS FLUSHED & PERSPIRING, LATER COLD & CYANOTIC. 

INGESTION OF NITRITES MAY CAUSE COLIC & DIARRHEA. ... HYPERPNEA; LATER 

DYSPNEA & SLOW BREATHING. ... INCR INTRAOCULAR TENSION & 

INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE. /NITRITE/ [Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. 

Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams 

and Wilkins, 1984.II-323]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ACUTE NITRATE TOXICITY IS ALMOST ALWAYS SEEN IN INFANTS RATHER THAN ADULTS 

WHEN IT RESULTS FROM INGESTION OF WELL WATERS & VEGETABLES HIGH IN 

NITRATES. ... /IT WAS/ DEDUCED THAT INFANTS WERE PRONE TO UPSET STOMACHS 

& ACHLORHYDRIA. AS RESULT, STOMACH PH INCREASED IN ALKALINITY ALLOWING

NITRATE-REDUCING ORGANISMS TO ENTER & TO REDUCE NITRATES TO NITRITES. 

A GASTRIC PH ABOVE 4 SUPPORTS NITRATE-REDUCING ORGANISMS. ... IMMATURE 

ENZYME SYSTEMS MAY ALSO BE OF IMPORTANCE. ... FETAL HEMOGLOBIN (HEMOGLOBIN 

F) IS OXIDIZED BY NITRITE TO METHEMOGLOBIN AT RATE TWICE AS RAPID AS ADULT 

HEMOGLOBIN (HEMOGLOBIN A). FURTHERMORE, ENZYMATIC CAPACITY OF ERYTHROCYTES 

OF NEWBORN INFANTS TO REDUCE METHEMOGLOBIN TO HEMOGLOBIN APPEARS LESS THAN 

THAT OF ADULTS. DIFFERENCE IS PROBABLY DUE TO DEVELOPMENTAL DEFICIENCY IN 

ACTIVITY OF DPNH-METHEMOGLOBIN REDUCTASE (DIPHOSPHOPYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE). 

AS OPPOSED TO ADULTS, SEVERAL CLINICAL, PHYSIOLOGIC & METABOLIC 

FACTORS PREDISPOSE INFANTS TO DEVELOPMENT OF METHEMOGLOBINEMIA & ACUTE 

NITRATE POISONING. /NITRITE/ [National Research Council. Drinking Water 

& Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 

1977.420]**PEER REVIEWED** 

A 78 year old man was found comatose, apneic, and asystolic after 

closed-spaced smoke inhalation. He was successfully resuscitated to pulse 

and blood pressure at the scene. A cyanide component to the poisoning was 

suspected and two 300 mg doses of sodium nitrite were administered, 

resulting in significant hypotension. Although high methemoglobin levels 

were not induced, when added to simultaneously obtained carboxyhemoglobin 

levels, the total amount of non-oxygen transporting hemoglobin remained 

nearly constant for about 4-1/2 hr before hyperbaric oxygen therapy could 

be administered. The patient later died in multi-organ system failure. 

Admission whole blood cyanide level was only 0.34 ug/ml. These sodium 

nitrite adverse effects can be avoided by slow intravenous infusion and by 

administering only recommended doses. In smoke inhalation victims with 

suspected cyanide poisoning, sodium thiosulfate should be administered 

first, and sodium nitrite withheld until after the patient is receiving 

hyperbaric oxygen therapy. When available, hydroxocobalamin (which neither 

induces methemoglobinemia nor causes hypotension) may be the specific 

cyanide antidote of choice for victims of smoke inhalation. [Hall AH et 

al; J Toxicol Clin Exp 9 (1): 3-9 (1989)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

POPULATIONS AT SPECIAL RISK: 

ACUTE NITRATE TOXICITY IS ALMOST ALWAYS SEEN IN INFANTS RATHER THAN ADULTS 

WHEN IT RESULTS FROM INGESTION OF WELL WATERS & VEGETABLES HIGH IN 

NITRATES. ... /IT WAS/ DEDUCED THAT INFANTS WERE PRONE TO UPSET STOMACHS 

& ACHLORHYDRIA. AS RESULT, STOMACH PH INCREASED IN ALKALINITY ALLOWING 

NITRATE-REDUCING ORGANISMS TO ENTER & TO REDUCE NITRATES TO NITRITES. 

A GASTRIC PH ABOVE 4 SUPPORTS NITRATE-REDUCING ORGANISMS. ... IMMATURE 

ENZYME SYSTEMS MAY ALSO BE OF IMPORTANCE. ... FETAL HEMOGLOBIN (HEMOGLOBIN 

F) IS OXIDIZED BY NITRITE TO METHEMOGLOBIN AT RATE TWICE AS RAPID AS ADULT 

HEMOGLOBIN (HEMOGLOBIN A). FURTHERMORE, ENZYMATIC CAPACITY OF ERYTHROCYTES 

OF NEWBORN INFANTS TO REDUCE METHEMOGLOBIN TO HEMOGLOBIN APPEARS LESS THAN 

THAT OF ADULTS. DIFFERENCE IS PROBABLY DUE TO DEVELOPMENTAL DEFICIENCY IN 

ACTIVITY OF DPNH-METHEMOGLOBIN REDUCTASE (DIPHOSPHOPYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE). 

AS OPPOSED TO ADULTS, SEVERAL CLINICAL, PHYSIOLOGIC & METABOLIC 

FACTORS PREDISPOSE INFANTS TO DEVELOPMENT OF METHEMOGLOBINEMIA & ACUTE 

NITRATE POISONING. /NITRITE/ [National Research Council. Drinking Water 

& Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 


EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT: 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT:

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Micromedex' rights and is strictly prohibited.The following Overview, *** 

NITRITES ***, is relevant for this HSDB record chemical. 

LIFE SUPPORT: 

o 

This overview assumes that basic life support measures 

have been instituted. 

CLINICAL EFFECTS: 

0.2.1 SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE 

0.2.1.1 ACUTE EXPOSURE 

A) Several fatal cases of acute sodium nitrite poisoning 

have been cited. These include the accidental poisoning 

cases and those induced in the treatment of presumed 

cases of cyanide poisoning. 

B) Fatalities from nitrite toxicity are due to 

uncontrolled vasodilation and/or methemoglobinemia. 

0.2.4 HEENT 


A) Visual field defects have been reported in sodium 

nitrite poisoning. 

0.2.5 CARDIOVASCULAR 


A) Hypotension with syncope and tachycardia are common 

findings. Coronary vasospasm due to acute withdrawal 

may be seen. Paradoxical bradycardia may occur rarely. 

Coronary ischemia and cerebrovascular disease can occur 

due to severe hypotension. 

0.2.6 RESPIRATORY 


A) Respiratory depression and cyanosis may be noted, due 

to methemoglobinemia. 

0.2.7 NEUROLOGIC 


A) Throbbing headache is common. Seizures have been 

reported following severe intoxication. 

0.2.8 GASTROINTESTINAL 


A) Initial effects of ingestion are gastric irritation 

with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. 

0.2.13 HEMATOLOGIC 


A) Methemoglobinemia may be noted, and is associated with 

cyanosis that only minimally responds to oxygen

therapy. 

0.2.14 DERMATOLOGIC 


A) Cyanosis that minimally responds to oxygen therapy may 

be noted, and is indicative of probable 

methemoglobinemia. 

0.2.20 REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS 

A) Behavioral deficits were observed in the adult offspring 

of rats who received sodium nitrite prenatally. 

0.2.21 CARCINOGENICITY 

0.2.21.2 HUMAN OVERVIEW 

A) Sodium nitrite has shown a potential for 

carcinogenicity in animals. 

LABORATORY: 

A) Plasma levels of nitrites and related compounds are not 

clinically useful. 

B) Determine methemoglobin concentration in all cyanotic 

patients or patients with dyspnea or other signs of 

respiratory distress. 

C) Arterial blood gases should be monitored in symptomatic 

or cyanotic patients. Measured oxygen saturation will be 

low. The oxygen saturation value provided by many blood 

gas analyzers will be high because it is CALCULATED from 

the measured arterial oxygen tension (pO2) assuming a 

normal oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. 

TREATMENT OVERVIEW: 

0.4.2 ORAL EXPOSURE 

A) Immediate life support measures should be provided 

because of associated hypotension, seizures, and 

methemoglobinemia-induced anoxia. 

B) EMESIS: Ipecac-induced emesis is not recommended because 

of the potential for seizures. 

C) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: Administer charcoal as a slurry (240 

mL water/30 g charcoal). Usual dose: 25 to 100 g in 

adults/adolescents, 25 to 50 g in children (1 to 12 

years), and 1 g/kg in infants less than 1 year old. 

D) GASTRIC LAVAGE: Consider after ingestion of a 

potentially life-threatening amount of poison if it can 

be performed soon after ingestion (generally within 1 

hour). Protect airway by placement in Trendelenburg and 

left lateral decubitus position or by endotracheal 

intubation. Control any seizures first. 

1) CONTRAINDICATIONS: Loss of airway protective reflexes 

or decreased level of consciousness in unintubated 

patients; following ingestion of corrosives; 

hydrocarbons (high aspiration potential); patients at 

risk of hemorrhage or gastrointestinal perforation; and 

trivial or non-toxic ingestion. 

E) SEIZURES: Administer a benzodiazepine IV; DIAZEPAM 

(ADULT: 5 to 10 mg, repeat every 10 to 15 min as needed. 

CHILD: 0.2 to 0.5 mg/kg, repeat every 5 min as needed) 

or LORAZEPAM (ADULT: 2 to 4 mg; CHILD: 0.05 to 0.1 

mg/kg). 

1) Consider phenobarbital if seizures recur after diazepam 

30 mg (adults) or 10 mg (children > 5 years). 

2) Monitor for hypotension, dysrhythmias, respiratory 

depression, and need for endotracheal intubation.

Evaluate for hypoglycemia, electrolyte disturbances, 

hypoxia. 

F) Use fluids to correct hypotension. Vasopressors should 

be used with caution. 

1) HYPOTENSION: Infuse 10 to 20 mL/kg isotonic fluid. If 

hypotension persists, administer dopamine (5 to 20 

mcg/kg/min) or norepinephrine (ADULT: begin infusion at 

0.5 to 1 mcg/min; CHILD: begin infusion at 0.1 

mcg/kg/min); titrate to desired response. 

G) Monitor methemoglobin levels and treat if patient is 

symptomatic or if methemoglobin level is greater than 

30% in an asymptomatic patient. 

1) METHEMOGLOBINEMIA: Administer 1 to 2 mg/kg of 1% 

methylene blue slowly IV in symptomatic patients. 

Additional doses may be required. 

2) Doses up to 7 mg/kg may be given. Doses higher than 7 

mg/kg may cause hemolysis. 

H) EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION should be performed in severely 

symptomatic patients, especially in neonates and 

children, if methemoglobinemia is not responsive to 

methylene blue therapy. 

I) HYPERBARIC OXYGEN - May be used as a supportive measure 

while preparations for exchange transfusion are being 

made. HBO therapy can provide sufficient oxygen to 

maintain life as dissolved oxygen in blood, and obviates 

temporarily the need for functional hemoglobin. 

0.4.3 INHALATION EXPOSURE 

A) Move patient to fresh air. Monitor for respiratory 

distress. Administer oxygen and assist ventilation as 

required. 

B) Treatment should include recommendations listed in the 

ORAL EXPOSURE section when appropriate. 

0.4.4 EYE EXPOSURE 

A) DECONTAMINATION: Irrigate exposed eyes with copious 

amounts of room temperature water for at least 15 

minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or 

photophobia persist, the patient should be seen in a 

health care facility. 

0.4.5 DERMAL EXPOSURE 

A) OVERVIEW 

1) DECONTAMINATION: Remove contaminated clothing and wash 

exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. A 

physician may need to examine the area if irritation or 

pain persists. 

2) Some chemicals can produce systemic poisoning by 

absorption through intact skin. Carefully observe 

patients with dermal exposure for the development of 

any systemic signs or symptoms and administer 

symptomatic treatment as necessary. 

3) Treatment should include recommendations listed in the 

ORAL EXPOSURE section when appropriate. 

RANGE OF TOXICITY: 

A) The minimal toxic dose is extremely variable and the 

assessment of severity of toxicity should be based on 

clinical findings.

ANIMAL TOXICITY STUDIES: 

NON-HUMAN TOXICITY EXCERPTS: 

NITRITE CONVERTS HEMOGLOBIN ... INTO METHEMOGLOBIN ... . IF THIS CHANGE IS 

SUFFICIENTLY COMPLETE ANIMALS MAY DIE OF TISSUE ANOXIA; CLINICAL SIGNS ARE 

SEEN WHEN ABOUT 20% OF HEMOGLOBIN IS CONVERTED INTO METHEMOGLOBIN & 

BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE SEVERE AS PROPORTION INCREASES, DEATH OCCURRING 

WHEN LEVEL REACHES ABOUT 80%. /INORGANIC NITRITE SALTS/ [Clarke, M. L., D. 

G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: 

Bailliere Tindall, 1981.66]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FASTING INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ... NITRITE POISONING ... . CATTLE FED 

ON AN ADEQUATE DIET CAN TOLERATE ... INTAKE OF ... NITRITE SUFFICIENT TO 

CAUSE A 50% CONVERSION OF HEMOGLOBIN TO METHEMOGLOBIN ... . /INORGANIC 

NITRITE SALTS/ [Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. 

Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981.67]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

SINGLE DOSE OF 30 MG/KG OF SODIUM NITRITE IV CAUSED METHEMOGLOBINEMIA IN 

DOGS. /FROM TABLE/ [Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's 

Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. 

New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982.2416]**PEER REVIEWED** 

... RUMINANTS AND MINK IN NORWAY WERE REPORTED TO HAVE MALIGNANT LIVER 

LESIONS AFTER EATING RATION THAT CONTAINED FISH MEAL PRESERVED BY ADDITION 

OF NITRITE. /INORGANIC NITRITE SALTS/ [Furia, T.E. (ed.). CRC Handbook of 

Food Additives. 2nd ed. Cleveland: The Chemical Rubber Co., 


A long-term feeding study was carried out in rats with sodium nitrite. The 

test substance was administered as part of a reduced-protein diet to 

groups of 50, 6 wk old, male F344 rats at dose levels of 0.2 or 0.5% (w/w) 

sodium nitrite for up to 115 wk. In the first week of treatment the 

following hematological parameters were reduced: red blood cell count 

continued to fall for 8 wk, then slowly returned to normal by wk 52. A 

dose-related reduction was noted in both the incidence and time of onset 

of lymphomas, leukemias and testicular interstitial cell tumors. Leukemias 

were only found in animals with lymphoma, indicating an association 

between the two lesions. Under the conditions described in this study, 

sodium nitrite was found not to be carcinogenic when fed to rats in the 

diet for up to 115 wk, but rather that the incidence of tumors was reduced 

in a dose-related manner, which corelated with a similar trend in body 

weights. [Grant D, Butler WH; Food Chem Toxicol 27 (9): 565-72 

(1989)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Pregnant ICR mice were given drinking water containing sodium nitrite at a 

concn of either 100 or 1000 mg/l on days 7-18 of gestation. There were no 

significant differences between treated and control groups in measures of 

developmental toxicity, eg, litter size, fetal weight and number of 

resorbed or dead fetuses. The incidences of external and skeletal 

malformations in fetuses of treated groups were not significantly 

different from those in the controls. No significant increase was observed 

in the frequency of gaps and breaks of liver cell chromosomes in fetuses 

exposed in utero to sodium nitrite. Teratogenic and mutagenic effects of 

sodium nitrite were absent in mice at the doses used. [Shimada T; Arch 

Environ Health 44 (1): 59-63 (1989)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Effects of nitrate (doses of 600 and 1200 mg/kg/day during 14 days) and 

sodium nitrite (60 and 120 mg/kg/day during 14 days) on germ cells of male 

mice were investigated /by/ ... stomach intubation. The germ cell stages 

analysed were spermatids (for the heritable effects) and differentiating 

and stem cell spermatogonia (for direct effects). A lack of heritable 

translocation, sperm abnormalities, as well as morphological changes, such 

as changes in the eyes, coat color, testes and body weight, was 

demonstrated in F1 males originating from treated P males. Significant 

effects in treated males were found with respect to: (1) sex chromosomal 

univalency in the diakinesis metaphase I stage after the treatment of stem 

spermatogonia (both doses of sodium nitrate and the higher dose of sodium 

nitrite), (2) sperm head abnormalities after treatment of differentiating 

spermatogonia (the higher dose of sodium nitrite and both doses of sodium 

nitrate), and (3) fertility after treatment of spermatids (the higher dose 

of sodium nitrite). Nonmutagenic effects and possible carcinogenic 

potential of the tested doses are discussed. [Alvanti CD et al; Mutat Res 

204 (4): 689-95 (1988)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

TESTING OF SODIUM NITRITE ON RABBIT CORNEAS BY APPLICATION OF 0.08 MOLAR 

SOLN AFTER REMOVAL OF CORNEAL EPITHELIUM, OR BY INJECTION INTO STROMA, HAS 

CAUSED NO LOCAL INJURY. [Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. 

Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986.840]**PEER REVIEWED** 

... MICE CHRONICALLY EXPOSED TO SODIUM NITRITE AT 1,000 & 2,000 MG/L 

IN DIRNKING WATER SHOWED REDUCED MOTOR ACTIVITY. EEG RECORDINGS FROM 

IMPLANTED ELECTRODES REVEALED MAJOR CHANGES IN BRAIN ELECTRIC ACTIVITY IN 

RATS RECEIVING NITRITE AT 100-2,000 MG/L. ... CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF RATS TO 

SODIUM NITRITE AT 2,000 & 3,000 MG/L IN DRINKING FOR 2 YR WAS 

ASSOCIATED WITH DISTINCT PATHOLOGIC CHANGES IN HEART & LUNG TISSUES. 

[National Research Council. Drinking Water & Health Volume 1. 

Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1977.420]**PEER REVIEWED** 

... RATS RECEIVED SODIUM NITRITE AT 100 MG/KG IN DRINKING WATER DAILY 

DURING THEIR ENTIRE LIFE SPAN OVER THREE GENERATION; NO EVIDENCE OF 

CHRONIC TOXICITY, CARCINOGENICITY, OR TERATOGENICITY ... FOUND. [National 

Research Council. Drinking Water & Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: 

National Academy Press, 1977.420]**PEER REVIEWED** 

... SEVERE TOXICOSIS IN PREGNANT SOWS WITH 21 TO 35 MG OF SODIUM 

NITRITE/KG SC. TREATMENT PERFORMED ON VARIOUS SINGLE DAYS DURING 1ST 100 

DAYS OF GESTATION DID NOT PRODUCE ANY FETAL DEFECTS. FETAL METHEMOGLOBIN 

REMAINED AT VERY MUCH LOWER LEVEL THAN THAT IN MOTHER. **PEER REVIEWED** 

MAMMALIAN CYTOGENETICS - IN VIVO OOCYTE OR EARLY EMBRYO STUDIES: POSITIVE. 

**PEER REVIEWED** 

SISTER CHROMATID EXCHANGE - IN VITRO CHROMOSOMAL EFFECT STUDIES, 

NON-HUMAN: POSITIVE. **PEER REVIEWED** 

DNA REPAIR-DEFICIENT BACTERIAL TEST: NEGATIVE. **PEER REVIEWED** 

The Drosphila wing somatic mutation and recombination test was applied to 

a series of chemicals to determine its suitability in genotoxicity 

screening. Chronic feeding of three day old larvae with a concentration of 

72.5 mM sodium nitrite led to a positive result for the small single spots 

in two independent experiments. Data on induction of large single spots

and twin spots were inconclusive. [Graf U et al; Mutat Res 222 (4): 359-73 


MINIMUM LETHAL DOSE OF ... SODIUM NITRITE /IN CATTLE ESTIMATED TO BE/ 

0.15-0.17 G/KG. ... PIGS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO NITRITE POISONING THAN 

CATTLE & SHEEP MIN LETHAL DOSE BEING OF ORDER OF 70 TO 75 MG/KG (32 TO 

34 MG/LB) IN FORM OF SODIUM NITRITE ... . [Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and 

D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 


Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats were exposed to 0, 750, 1500 

or 3000 ppm sodium nitrite (equivalent to average daily doses of 

approximately 35, 70 or 130 mg/kg to males and 40, 80 or 150 mg/kg to 

females) in drinking water for 2 yr. ... Groups of 50 male and 50 B6C3F1 

female mice were exposed to 0, 750, 1500 or 3000 ppm sodium nitrite 

(equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 60, 120 or 220 mg/kg 

to males and 45, 90 or 165 mg/kg to females) in drinking water for 2 yr. 

CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this 2 yr drinking water study, there 

was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of sodium nitrite in male or 

female F344/N rats exposed to 750, 1500, or 3000 ppm. There was no 

evidence of carcinogenic activity in male B6C3F1 mice exposed to 750, 1500 

or 3000 ppm. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of 

sodium nitrite in female B6C3F1 mice based on positive trend in the 

incidences of squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma (combined of the 

forstomach). [Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies of Sodium Nitrite in 

F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice p.8 Technical Report Series No. 495 (2001) NIH 

Publication No. 01-3954 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health 

Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709]**QC REVIEWED** 

NATIONAL TOXICOLOGY PROGRAM STUDIES: 

Sodium nitrite administered via drinking water, was tested for its effects 

on fertility & reproduction in Swiss CD-1 mice according to the 

continuous breeding protocol. Based on results of dose-finding studies, 

0.06, 0.12, & 0.24% weight/volume sodium nitrite concns were chosen to 

investigate effects on fertility & reproduction. Male & female 

mice were continuously exposed for a 7 day precohabitation & a 98 day 

cohabitation period (Task 2). Sodium nitrite treatment had no effect on 

fertility or any of the reproductive parameters. The water consumption in 

the 0.24% group was consistently lower but this had no effect on F0 body 

weights. Since the response was negative in Task 2, the cross-over mating 

trial (Task 3) to determine the sex affected by chemical treatment was not 

conducted. The F1 pups from control & 0.24% groups were weaned for 

second generation studies. Live male & female pup weights were 

significantly lower on postnatal days 7, 14, & 21 in the 0.24% group. 

At sexual maturity, fertility was not affected in the F1 mice nor were 

body weights decreased in either sex. At necropsy, absolute cauda 

epididymis weight was lower in the treated group by 9%. Based on the 

results of the present study, it is concluded that sodium nitrite is not a 

reproductive toxicant in Swiss CD-1 mice at the levels tested. [Department 

of Health & Human Services/National Institute of Environmental Health 

Sciences, National Toxicology Program; Reproductive Toxicity of Sodium 

Nitrite (CAS No. 7632-00-0) in CD-1 Swiss Mice, NTP Study No. RACB88071 

(December 1990) available at 

http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/pub-RT0.html as of August 8, 

2002]**QC REVIEWED**

Groups of 50 male and 50 female F344/N rats were exposed to 0, 750, 1500 

or 3000 ppm sodium nitrite (equivalent to average daily doses of 

approximately 35, 70 or 130 mg/kg to males and 40, 80 or 150 mg/kg to 

females) in drinking water for 2 yr. ... Groups of 50 male and 50 B6C3F1 

female mice were exposed to 0, 750, 1500 or 3000 ppm sodium nitrite 

(equivalent to average daily doses of approximately 60, 120 or 220 mg/kg 

to males and 45, 90 or 165 mg/kg to females) in drinking water for 2 yr. 

CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this 2 yr drinking water study, there 

was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of sodium nitrite in male or 

female F344/N rats exposed to 750, 1500, or 3000 ppm. There was no 

evidence of carcinogenic activity in male B6C3F1 mice exposed to 750, 1500 

or 3000 ppm. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of 

sodium nitrite in female B6C3F1 mice based on positive trend in the 

incidences of squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma (combined of the 

forstomach). [Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies of Sodium Nitrite in 

F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice p.8 Technical Report Series No. 495 (2001) NIH 

Publication No. 01-3954 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health 

Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709]**QC REVIEWED** 

ONGOING TEST STATUS: 

The NTP Toxicology Research and Testing Program releases a Management 

Status Report on a quarterly basis. This report gives the status of 

chemicals studied, under study, or proposed for study by NTP. The 

07/11/2001 issue indicates that the technical report on sodium nitrite is 

in the galley/camera ready copy stage of development. Route: dosed-water 

feed; Species: rats and mice. NTP TR No 495. [NTP; Division of Toxicology 

Research and Testing; Management Status Report; 07/11/2001; p.24]**QC 

REVIEWED** 

METABOLISM/PHARMACOKINETICS: 

ABSORPTION, DISTRIBUTION & EXCRETION: 

... TRANSPLACENTAL PASSAGE OF NITRITE OCCURRED IN PREGNANT RATS GIVEN 

DOSES AT 2.5-50 MG/KG ORALLY ... . [National Research Council. Drinking 

Water & Health Volume 1. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 


IN MICE GIVEN 400, 800, OR 1200 MG SODIUM NITRITE ORALLY IN DRINKING WATER 

99.1 TO 99.5% OF THE DOSE WAS ELIMINATED. THE REMAINING NITRITE WAS 

TRANSFORMED INTO NITRATE & RECOVERED FROM THE LIVER & MUSCLE. 

[CANTONI C ET AL; ARCH VET ITAL 32 (1-2): 7 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MECHANISM OF ACTION: 

The effects of acidified sodium nitrite a releaser of nitric oxide, 

combined with human superoxide dismutase were investigated in a 6 hr model 

of myocardial ischemia (MI) with repertusion in open-chest, anesthetized 

cats. Acidified sodium nitrite + human superoxide dismutase together exert 

significant protection on the myocardium subjected to ischemia and 

repertusion injury. Sodium nitrite may act synergisticaly with human 

superoxide dismutase to prolong the action of nitric oxide scavenging free 

radicals that inactivate nitric oxide. [Johnson G et al; Am Heart J l119 

(3): 530-7 (1990)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

INTERACTIONS:

RESULTS OF FEEDING TESTS WITH RATS PROVIDE FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT INGESTION 

OF SECONDARY & TERTIARY AMINES WITH NITRITE (INCL SODIUM NITRITE) CAN 

LEAD TO FORMATION OF SIGNIFICANT AMT OF CARCINOGENIC N-NITROSO CMPD IN 

STOMACH. [LIJINSKY W, TAYLOR HW; FOOD COSMET TOXICOL 15 (4): 269 


HAMSTER FED AN AMINOPYRINE/SODIUM NITRITE MIXT IN DRINKING WATER SHOWED A 

HIGH INCIDENCE OF INTRAHEPATIC BILE DUCT TUMORS. [BERGMAN F, WAHLIN T; 

ACTA PATHOL MICROBIOL SCAND, SECT A 89A (3): 241 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FORMATION OF N-NITROSO COMPOUNDS IN MOUSE STOMACH FROM EQUIMOLAR DOSES OF 

SODIUM NITRITE & SECONDARY AMINES OR ALKYLUREA DERIV GIVEN 

SIMULTANEOUSLY BY STOMACH TUBE WAS ESTIMATED, BY MEASURING MUTAGENIC 

ACTIVITY OF CMPD IN IP HOST-MEDIATED ASSAY WITH USE OF SALMONELLA 

TYPHIMURIUM TA1950 AS GENETIC INDICATOR SYSTEM. HIGHEST MUTAGENICITY WAS 

EXERTED BY PIPERAZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE PLUS NITRITE, WHILE AMITROLE PLUS 

NITRITE WAS ONLY WEAKLY MUTAGENIC. RESULTS ARE COMPARED WITH THOSE 

OBTAINED IN LONG-TERM CARCINOGENESIS STUDIES WITH SODIUM NITRITE PLUS 

AMINES. [BRAUN R ET AL; CANCER RES 37 (12): 4572 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CARCINOGENICITY OF SODIUM NITRITE & METHYLGUANIDINE SINGLY & 

TOGETHER WERE EXAMINED IN RATS. HEMANGIOMAS & BILE DUCT ADENOMAS OF 

LIVER, HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA, HEMANGIOSARCOMA & SPINDLE CELL 

SARCOMA WERE FOUND IN RATS FED CONTINUOUSLY ON PELLET DIET CONTAINING 

0.16% SODIUM NITRITE & 0.16% METHYLGUANIDINE. HEMANGIOMAS & BILE 

DUCT ADENOMAS OF LIVER WERE FOUND IN RATS FED PELLET DIET OF 0.16% SODIUM 

NITRITE. ONLY 1/5 RATS FED DIET CONTAINING 0.16% METHYLGUANIDINE DEVELOPED 

HEMANGIOMA. [MATSUKURA N ET AL; Z KREBSFORSCH KLIN ONKOL 90 (1): 87 


... VASODILATATION /FROM NITRITES/ IS NOT BLOCKED BY ... ANY RECOGNIZED 

DRUG ... PROBABLY EPINEPHRINE & RELATED COMPOUNDS SHOULD BE STRICTLY 

PROHIBITED; THEY INTENSIFY ARTERIOLAR CONSTRICTION ... WITH RESULT THAT 

TISSUE BLOOD FLOW IS FURTHER COMPROMISED. /INORGANIC NITRITE SALTS/ 

[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial 

Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.II-84]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

MORPHOLINE (10 G/KG) IN THE DIET & SODIUM NITRITE (2 G/L) IN THE 

DRINKING WATER WERE ADMIN FOR LIFE TO RATS WITHOUT (GROUP 1) OR WITH 

(GROUP 2) SODIUM ASCORBATE (22.7 G/KG) IN THE DIET. GROUP 3 WAS UNTREATED. 

GROUP 2 SHOWED A LOWER LIVER TUMOR INCIDENCE WITH A LONGER LATENCY THAN 

GROUP 1, INDICATING A 78% INHIBITION BY SODIUM ASCORBATE OF IN VIVO 

N-NITROSOMORPHOLINE (NMOR) FORMATION. THE INCIDENCE OF FORESTOMACH 

PAPILLOMAS WAS 3% IN GROUP 1, 38% IN GROUP 2, & 8% IN GROUP 3. THE 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROUPS 1 & 2 WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT DUE TO THE SHORTER 

LIFE-SPAN OF GROUP 1. [MIRVISH SS ET AL; J NATL CANCER INST 71 (1): 81-5 


LARGER DOSES (15.2 MG/KG) OF SODIUM CYANIDE IN SHEEP WERE EFFECTIVELY 

ANTAGONIZED BY EITHER 660 MG/KG SODIUM THIOSULFATE ALONE OR IN COMBINATION 

WITH 1.5 MG/KG P-AMINOPROPIOPHENONE OR 22 MG/KG SODIUM NITRITE. [BURROWS 

GE; VET HUM TOXICOL 23 (1): 22 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

PHARMACOLOGY:

THERAPEUTIC USES: 

Antidotes; Food Preservatives; Indicators and Reagents; Mutagens [National 

Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings online file (MeSH, 

1999)]**QC REVIEWED** 

Has been used as a vasodilator; as a circulatory (blood pressure) 

depressant and to relieve smooth muscle spasm. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The 

Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, 

NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ANTIDOTE FOR CYANIDE POISONING. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - 

Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and 

Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MEDICATION (VET): IN CYANIDE POISONING. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck 

Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: 

Merck and Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**QC REVIEWED** 

/Cyanide antidote:/ Adults, oxygen therapy should be initiated and amyl 

nitrite inhaled from the crushable ampules for 30 seconds of every minute 

until an intravenous route is established. Amyl nitrite then is 

discontinued and all of the sodium nitrite (300 mg) in the 10 ml ampule is 

administered intravenously. The 12.5 g of sodium thiosulfate contained in 

the 50 ml ampule is then administered intravenously. If symptoms persist, 

a second dose of sodium nitrite (one-half the amount of the first dose) 

should be given 30 minutes later. Children, oxygen therapy is initiated; 

0.33 ml/kg of sodium nitrite solution is administered, followed 

immediately by 1.65 ml/kg of sodium thiosulfate solution. [American 

Medical Association, Department of Drugs. Drug Evaluations. 6th ed. 

Chicago, Ill: American Medical Association, 1986.1646]**PEER REVIEWED** 

INTERACTIONS: 

RESULTS OF FEEDING TESTS WITH RATS PROVIDE FURTHER EVIDENCE THAT INGESTION 

OF SECONDARY & TERTIARY AMINES WITH NITRITE (INCL SODIUM NITRITE) CAN 

LEAD TO FORMATION OF SIGNIFICANT AMT OF CARCINOGENIC N-NITROSO CMPD IN 

STOMACH. [LIJINSKY W, TAYLOR HW; FOOD COSMET TOXICOL 15 (4): 269 


HAMSTER FED AN AMINOPYRINE/SODIUM NITRITE MIXT IN DRINKING WATER SHOWED A 

HIGH INCIDENCE OF INTRAHEPATIC BILE DUCT TUMORS. [BERGMAN F, WAHLIN T; 

ACTA PATHOL MICROBIOL SCAND, SECT A 89A (3): 241 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FORMATION OF N-NITROSO COMPOUNDS IN MOUSE STOMACH FROM EQUIMOLAR DOSES OF 

SODIUM NITRITE & SECONDARY AMINES OR ALKYLUREA DERIV GIVEN 

SIMULTANEOUSLY BY STOMACH TUBE WAS ESTIMATED, BY MEASURING MUTAGENIC 

ACTIVITY OF CMPD IN IP HOST-MEDIATED ASSAY WITH USE OF SALMONELLA 

TYPHIMURIUM TA1950 AS GENETIC INDICATOR SYSTEM. HIGHEST MUTAGENICITY WAS 

EXERTED BY PIPERAZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE PLUS NITRITE, WHILE AMITROLE PLUS 

NITRITE WAS ONLY WEAKLY MUTAGENIC. RESULTS ARE COMPARED WITH THOSE 

OBTAINED IN LONG-TERM CARCINOGENESIS STUDIES WITH SODIUM NITRITE PLUS 

AMINES. [BRAUN R ET AL; CANCER RES 37 (12): 4572 (1977)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CARCINOGENICITY OF SODIUM NITRITE & METHYLGUANIDINE SINGLY & 

TOGETHER WERE EXAMINED IN RATS. HEMANGIOMAS & BILE DUCT ADENOMAS OF 

LIVER, HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA, HEMANGIOSARCOMA & SPINDLE CELL 

SARCOMA WERE FOUND IN RATS FED CONTINUOUSLY ON PELLET DIET CONTAINING

0.16% SODIUM NITRITE & 0.16% METHYLGUANIDINE. HEMANGIOMAS & BILE 

DUCT ADENOMAS OF LIVER WERE FOUND IN RATS FED PELLET DIET OF 0.16% SODIUM 

NITRITE. ONLY 1/5 RATS FED DIET CONTAINING 0.16% METHYLGUANIDINE DEVELOPED 

HEMANGIOMA. [MATSUKURA N ET AL; Z KREBSFORSCH KLIN ONKOL 90 (1): 87 


... VASODILATATION /FROM NITRITES/ IS NOT BLOCKED BY ... ANY RECOGNIZED 

DRUG ... PROBABLY EPINEPHRINE & RELATED COMPOUNDS SHOULD BE STRICTLY 

PROHIBITED; THEY INTENSIFY ARTERIOLAR CONSTRICTION ... WITH RESULT THAT 

TISSUE BLOOD FLOW IS FURTHER COMPROMISED. /INORGANIC NITRITE SALTS/ 

[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial 

Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.II-84]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

MORPHOLINE (10 G/KG) IN THE DIET & SODIUM NITRITE (2 G/L) IN THE 

DRINKING WATER WERE ADMIN FOR LIFE TO RATS WITHOUT (GROUP 1) OR WITH 

(GROUP 2) SODIUM ASCORBATE (22.7 G/KG) IN THE DIET. GROUP 3 WAS UNTREATED. 

GROUP 2 SHOWED A LOWER LIVER TUMOR INCIDENCE WITH A LONGER LATENCY THAN 

GROUP 1, INDICATING A 78% INHIBITION BY SODIUM ASCORBATE OF IN VIVO 

N-NITROSOMORPHOLINE (NMOR) FORMATION. THE INCIDENCE OF FORESTOMACH 

PAPILLOMAS WAS 3% IN GROUP 1, 38% IN GROUP 2, & 8% IN GROUP 3. THE 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROUPS 1 & 2 WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT DUE TO THE SHORTER 

LIFE-SPAN OF GROUP 1. [MIRVISH SS ET AL; J NATL CANCER INST 71 (1): 81-5 


LARGER DOSES (15.2 MG/KG) OF SODIUM CYANIDE IN SHEEP WERE EFFECTIVELY 

ANTAGONIZED BY EITHER 660 MG/KG SODIUM THIOSULFATE ALONE OR IN COMBINATION 

WITH 1.5 MG/KG P-AMINOPROPIOPHENONE OR 22 MG/KG SODIUM NITRITE. [BURROWS 

GE; VET HUM TOXICOL 23 (1): 22 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE & EXPOSURE: 

NATURAL POLLUTION SOURCES: 

Present in brines. [KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM TECH 3RD ED 1978-PRESENT V11 

p.159]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS & REGULATIONS: 

FIFRA REQUIREMENTS: 

Sodium nitrite (not more than 3% of pesticide formulation) is exempted 

from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a stabilizer or inhibitor 

in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally 

active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops 

only. [40 CFR 180.1001(d) (7/1/88)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

CERCLA REPORTABLE QUANTITIES: 

Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the 

National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of 

this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than 

its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the 

NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 

426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated 

in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b). [54 FR 33419 (8/14/89)]**PEER

REVIEWED** 

CLEAN WATER ACT REQUIREMENTS: 

Designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the 

Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean 

Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to 

discharges of this substance.[40 CFR 116.4 (7/1/88)]**QC REVIEWED** 

FEDERAL DRINKING WATER STANDARDS: 

EPA 1000 ug/l /Nitrite/[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology 

and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal 

Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)]**QC REVIEWED** 

FEDERAL DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES: 

EPA 1000 ug/l /Nitrite/[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State Toxicology 

and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and Federal 

Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)]**QC REVIEWED** 

STATE DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES: 

(ME) MAINE 1000 ug/l /Nitrite/[USEPA/Office of Water; Federal-State 

Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC). Summary of State and 

Federal Drinking Water Standards and Guidelines (11/93)]**QC REVIEWED** 

FDA REQUIREMENTS: 

Sodium nitrite is a food additive permitted for direct addition to food 

for human consumption, as long as 1) the quantity added to food does not 

exceed the amount reasonably required to accomplish its intended physical, 

nutritive, or other technical effect in food, and 2) when intended for use 

in or on food it is of appropriate food grade and is prepared and handled 

as a food ingredient. Tolerances are established for sodium nitrite as a 

color fixative in smoked cured sablefish, smoked, cured salmon & 

smoked cured shad; & as a preservative & color fixative, with 

sodium nitrate, in meat-curing prepn for the home curing of meat & 

meat products (incl poultry & wild game). [21 CFR 172.175 

(4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Sodium nitrite is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of 

adhesives. [21 CFR 175.105 (4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Closure with sealing gaskets may be safely used on containers intended for 

use in producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, 

packaging, transporting, or holding food. Substances that may be employed 

in the manufacture of closure-sealing gaskets incl sodium nitrite. 

Limitations (expressed as % by wt of closure-sealing gasket composition): 

0.2%; for use only in annular ring gaskets applied in aqueous dispersions 

to closures for containers having a capacity of not < 5 gal. [21 CFR 

177.1210 (4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Rubber articles intended for repeated use may be safely used in producing, 

manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, 

transporting, or holding food. Substances employed in the preparation of 

rubber articles incl sodium nitrite (total not > 5% by wt of rubber 

product). [21 CFR 177.2600 (4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Sodium nitrite /is/ subject to prior sanctions issued by the USDA for use 

as color fixatives & preservative agents, with or without sodium or 

potassium nitrate, in the curing of red meat & poultry products. [21

CFR 181.34 (4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Tolerances are established for canned pet food containing meat & fish. 

[21 CFR 575.700 (4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ALLOWABLE TOLERANCES: 

Sodium nitrite (not more than 3% of pesticide formulation) is exempted 

from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a stabilizer or inhibitor 

in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally 

active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops 

only. [40 CFR 180.1001(d) (7/1/88)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

The food additive sodium nitrite may be safely used in or on specified 

foods: (1) As a color fixative in smoked cured tunafish products so that 

the level of sodium nitrite does not exceed 10 ppm (0.001%) in the 

finished product; (2) As a preservative & color fixative, with or 

without sodium nitrate, in smoked, cured sablefish, smoked, cured salmon, 

& smoked, cured shad so that the level of sodium nitrite does not 

exceed 200 ppm in the finished products; (3) As a preservative & color 

fixative, with sodium nitrate, in meat-curing prepn for the home curing of 

meat & meat products (incl poultry & wild game), with directions 

for use which limit the amt of sodium nitrite to not more than 200 ppm in 

the finished meat product. [21 CFR 172.175 (4/1/90)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Sodium nitrite may be safely used in canned pet food containing meat & 

fish in accordance with the following conditions: It is used or intended 

for use alone as a preservative & color fixative in canned pet food 

containing fish, meat, & fish & meat byproducts so that level of 

sodium nitrite does not exceed 20 ppm. [21 CFR 573.700 (4/1/90)]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: 

MOLECULAR FORMULA: 

H-N-O2.Na **PEER REVIEWED** 

MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 

69.00 [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, 

Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

COLOR/FORM: 

COLORLESS-YELLOW RHOMBOHEDRAL PRISMS [Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook of 

Chemistry and Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 

1988-1989.B-131]**PEER REVIEWED** 

TASTE: 

WHITE OR SLIGHTLY YELLOW GRANULES, RODS, OR POWDER [Budavari, S. (ed.). 

The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. 

Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SLIGHTLY YELLOWISH OR WHITE CRYSTALS, PELLETS, STICKS OR POWDER [Sax, N.I. 

and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th 

ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987.1067]**PEER REVIEWED**

MILD, SALINE TASTE [Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's 

Pharmaceutical Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing 

Co., 1975.779]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MELTING POINT: 

271 DEG C [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of 

Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 


DENSITY/SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 

2.26 [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, 

Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

PH: 

AQ SOLN IS ALKALINE, PH ABOUT 9 [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - 



SOLUBILITIES: 

SOL IN 1.5 PARTS COLD, 0.6 PARTS BOILING WATER. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The 



0.3 G/100 CC ETHER AT 20 DEG C; 4.4 G/100 CC METHANOL AT 20 DEG C; 3 G/100 

CC ABS ALC AT 20 DEG C; VERY SOL IN AMMONIA. [Weast, R.C. (ed.) Handbook 

of Chemistry and Physics. 69th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 

1988-1989.B-131]**PEER REVIEWED** 

OTHER CHEMICAL/PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: 

HYGROSCOPIC [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of 

Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 


CHEMICAL SAFETY & HANDLING: 

DOT EMERGENCY GUIDELINES: 

Fire or explosion: These substances will accelerate burning when involved 

in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a 

fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively 

with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, 

clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create 

fire or explosion hazard. [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2000 

Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 5800.8 Edition. Washington, D.C: U.S. 

Government Printing Office, 2000,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED** 

Health: Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or 

substance may cause severe injury, burns, or death. Fire may produce 

irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or 

dilution water may cause pollution. [U.S. Department of Transportation. 

2000 Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 5800.8 Edition. Washington, D.C: 

U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED** 

Public safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number. ... Isolate spill 

or leak area immediately for at least 10 to 25 meters (30 to 80 feet) in

all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of 

low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. [U.S. Department of 

Transportation. 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 5800.8 Edition. 

Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000,p. G-140]**QC 

REVIEWED** 

Protective clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing 

apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only 

provide limited protection. [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2000 

Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 5800.8 Edition. Washington, D.C: U.S. 


Evacuation: ... Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a 

fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider 

initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. [U.S. 

Department of Transportation. 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 

5800.8 Edition. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000,p. 

G-140]**QC REVIEWED** 

Fire: Small fires: Use water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2, or 

Halon may provide limited control. Large fires: Flood fire area with water 

from a distance. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without 

risk. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. 

Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor 

nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well 

after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For 

massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is 

impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. [U.S. Department of 

Transportation. 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 5800.8 Edition. 

Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000,p. G-140]**QC 

REVIEWED** 

Spill or leak: Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from 

spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material 

unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it 

without risk. Do not get water inside containers. Small dry spills: With 

clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; 

move containers from spill area. Small liquid spills: Use a 

non-combustible material like vermiculite, sand or earth to soak up the 

product and place into a container for later disposal. Large spills: Dike 

far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Following product recovery, 

flush area with water. [U.S. Department of Transportation. 2000 Emergency 

Response Guidebook. RSPA P 5800.8 Edition. Washington, D.C: U.S. 


First aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical 

service. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. 

Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate 

contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, 

immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. 

Keep victim warm and quiet. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the 

material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves. [U.S. 

Department of Transportation. 2000 Emergency Response Guidebook. RSPA P 

5800.8 Edition. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2000,p. 

G-140]**QC REVIEWED** 

FIRE POTENTIAL:

MODERATE; A STRONG OXIDIZING AGENT. IN CONTACT WITH ORGANIC MATTER WILL 

IGNITE BY FRICTION. [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial 

Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984.2442]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

SODIUM NITRITE AT 460 DEG F IN CONTACT WITH FIBER DRUMS IN WHICH IT IS 

SHIPPED UNDERGOES VIGOROUS DECOMP REACTION PRODUCING PROPELLANT-TYPE 

BURNING UNTIL CARTON IS CONSUMED. [Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous 

Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1997. 

491-182]**QC REVIEWED** 

SODIUM NITRITE SOLN IS USED TO INHIBIT ... POLYMERIZATION OF BUTADIENE IN 

PROCESSING PLANT. IF CONCN NITRITE SOLN (5%) ARE USED, BLACK SLUDGE IS 

PRODUCED WHICH, WHEN DRY, WILL IGNITE & BURN ... . [Bretherick, L. 

Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 2nd ed. Boston MA: Butterworths, 


EXPLOSIVE LIMITS & POTENTIAL: 

EXPLODES WHEN HEATED TO OVER 1000 DEG C ... . [Sax, N.I. Dangerous 

Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand 

Reinhold, 1984.2442]**PEER REVIEWED** 

/AMINOGUANIDINE SALTS/ INTERACTION, WITHOUT ADDN OF ACID, PRODUCES 

TETRAZOLYLGUANYLTRIAZENE ('TETRAZENE'), A PRIMARY EXPLOSIVE OF EQUAL 

SENSITIVITY TO MERCURY(II) AZIDE, BUT MORE READILY INITIATED. ... MIXT OF 

SODIUM ... NITRITES & VARIOUS CYANIDES EXPLODE ON HEATING. SUCH MIXT 

HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AS EXPLOSIVES ... MIXT OF SODIUM NITRITE & PHTHALIC 

ACID OR ANHYDRIDE EXPLODE VIOLENTLY ON HEATING. ... ADDN OF SOLID NITRATE 

TO MOLTEN AMIDE CAUSES IMMEDIATE GAS EVOLUTION, FOLLOWED BY VIOLENT 

EXPLOSION. [Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 2nd ed. 

Boston MA: Butterworths, 1979.1060]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MIXTURE /OF SODIUM NITRITE & SODIUM THIOCYANATE/ EXPLODES ON HEATING. 

... FUSION OF UREA (2 MOL) WITH SODIUM ... NITRITE (1 MOL) TO GIVE HIGH 

YIELDS OF CYANATE MUST BE CARRIED OUT EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED TO AVOID RISK 

OF EXPLOSION. [Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 2nd 

ed. Boston MA: Butterworths, 1979.1062]**PEER REVIEWED** 

INTERACTION OF NITRITES WHEN HEATED WITH METAL AMIDOSULFATES 

('SULFAMATES') MAY BECOME EXPLOSIVELY VIOLENT OWING TO LIBERATION OF 

NITROGEN & STEAM. MIXT WITH AMMONIUM SULFAMATE FORM AMMONIUM NITRATE 

WHICH DECOMP VIOLENTLY AROUND 80 DEG C. [Bretherick, L. Handbook of 

Reactive Chemical Hazards. 2nd ed. Boston MA: Butterworths, 


VIOLENT EXPLOSION OCCURS IF AN AMMONIUM SALT IS MELTED WITH NITRITE SALT. 

... WHEN SODIUM NITRITE & THIOSULFATE MIXT WAS HEATED TO EVAPORATE TO 

DRYNESS, VIOLENT EXPLOSION OCCURRED. ... SOLN OF POTASSIUM & SODIUM 

NITRITE IN LIQ AMMONIA FORM DISODIUM NITRITE, WHICH IS VERY REACTIVE & 

EASILY EXPLOSIVE. ... LITHIUM REACTS WITH SODIUM NITRITE TO FORM LITHIUM 

SODIUM HYDRONITRITE, A CMPD WHICH DECOMP VIOLENTLY AROUND 100-130 DEG C. 

[Fire Protection Guide to Hazardous Materials. 12 ed. Quincy, MA: 

National Fire Protection Association, 1997. 491-182]**QC REVIEWED** 

SHOCK MAY EXPLODE THEM ... . /NITRITES/ [Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of 

Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 

1984.2442]**PEER REVIEWED**

HAZARDOUS REACTIVITIES & INCOMPATIBILITIES: 

... /THEY/ CAN REACT VIGOROUSLY WITH REDUCING MATERIALS. /NITRITES/ [Sax, 

N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: 

Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984.2442]**PEER REVIEWED** 

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION: 

... WHEN HEATED TO DECOMP, ... EMITS HIGHLY TOXIC FUMES OF /NITROGEN 

OXIDES AND DISODIUM OXIDE/. [Lewis, R.J. Sax's Dangerous Properties of 

Industrial Materials. 9th ed. Volumes 1-3. New York, NY: Van Nostrand 

Reinhold, 1996.2981]**QC REVIEWED** 

DECOMP ABOVE 320 DEG C; DECOMP EVEN BY WEAK ACIDS WITH EVOLUTION OF BROWN 

FUMES OF NITROGEN OXIDE. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - 



STABILITY/SHELF LIFE: 

VERY SLOWLY OXIDIZES TO NITRATE IN AIR. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck 

Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: 

Merck and Co., Inc., 1989.1365]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SOLN OF SODIUM NITRITE ARE UNSTABLE & SHOULD BE PREPARED DIRECTLY 

BEFORE USE; CANNOT BE DISPENSED IN ACIDIC VEHICLES. [Osol, A. (ed.). 

Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences. 16th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack 

Publishing Co., 1980.782]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SHIPMENT METHODS AND REGULATIONS: 

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for 

transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance 

... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, 

marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized 

by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./ [49 CFR 

171.2 (7/1/96)]**QC REVIEWED** 

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods 

Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to 

IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier 

regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting 

hazardous materials. [IATA. Dangerous Goods Regulations. 38th ed. 

Montreal, Canada and Geneva, Switzerland: International Air Transport 

Association, Dangerous Goods Board, January, 1997.214]**QC REVIEWED** 

The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles 

for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for 

individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice 

are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index 

of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be 

consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used 

when shipping any substance or article. [IMDG; International Maritime 

Dangerous Goods Code; International Maritime Organization p.5077, 5064 

(1988)]**QC REVIEWED** 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE STANDARDS:

MANUFACTURING/USE INFORMATION: 

MAJOR USES: 

COMPONENT OF HEAT-TRANSFER SALTS; CHEM IN METAL TREATMENT & FINISHING 

OPERATIONS; COMPONENT OF DETINNING SOLUTION & MULTIPURPOSE GREASES; 

AGENT FOR RECOVERY OF TIN FROM SCRAP. [SRI]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Serves as an anticorrosion inhibitor for multipurpose greases. 

[KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM TECH 3RD ED 1978-PRESENT V14 p.503]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

Used as a photobleach to eliminate solarization. [KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM 

TECH 3RD ED 1978-PRESENT V17 p.634]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Fertilizer /minor use/ [KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM TECH 3RD ED 1978-PRESENT 

V10 p.56]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Diazotization (by reaction with hydrochloric acid to form nitrous acid), 

rubber accelerators, color fixative and preservative in cured meats, meat 

products, fish; pharmaceuticals, photographic and analytical reagent, dye 

manufacture. [Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed 

Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 


MEDICATION **QC REVIEWED** 

MEDICATION (VET) **QC REVIEWED** 

HAS BEEN FOUND EFFECTIVE ... AS PRESERVATIVE FOR FISH WHEN INCORPORATED IN 

ICE AT A LEVEL OF 0.1-0.5%. [Furia, T.E. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Food 

Additives. 2nd ed. Cleveland: The Chemical Rubber Co., 1972.155]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

MANUFACTURERS: 

E I du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc, Hq, 1007 Market Street, 

Wilmington, DE 19898, (302) 774-1000; Chemicals and Pigments Department; 

Production site: Gibbstown, NJ 08027. [SRI. 1989 Directory of Chemical 

Producers -United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 

1989.957]**QC REVIEWED** 

Henley Manufacturing Inc, Hq, 11255 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 

92037, (619) 455-9494; General Chemical Corporation, 90 E Halsey Road, 

Parsippany, NJ 07054-0393; Production sites: Route 13, Claymont, DE 19703 

(Delaware Valley Works); Syracuse (Solvay), NY 13209. [SRI. 1989 Directory 

of Chemical Producers -United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI 

International, 1989.957]**QC REVIEWED** 

Hummel Chemical Company, Incorporated, Hq, PO Box 250, South Plainfield, 

NJ 07080, (201) 754-1800; Croton Corp, 10 Harmich Rd, South Plainfield, NJ 

07080-4804; Production site: South Plainfield, NJ 07080. [SRI. 1989 

Directory of Chemical Producers -United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: 

SRI International, 1989.957]**QC REVIEWED** 

The Proctor and Gamble Co, Hq, 301 E Sixth St, PO Box 599, Cincinnati, OH 

45201, (513) 983-5607; Subsidiary: Richardson-Vicks, Inc, One Far Mill

Crossing, Shelton, CT 06484, (203) 929-2500; JT Baker, Inc, subsidiary, 

(201) 859-2151; Production site: 222 Red School Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ 

08865 [SRI. 1989 Directory of Chemical Producers -United States of 

America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1989.957]**QC REVIEWED** 

G Frederick Smith Chemical Company, PO Box 23214, Columbus, OH 43223, 

(614) 881-5501; Production site: 867 McKinley Ave, Columbus, OH 43222 

[SRI. 1989 Directory of Chemical Producers -United States of America. 

Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1989.957]**QC REVIEWED** 

METHODS OF MANUFACTURING: 

BY HEATING SODIUM NITRATE UNTIL IT FUSES ... ADDING SUFFICIENT METALLIC 

LEAD TO COMPLETELY REDUCE NITRATE TO NITRITE. ... MIXT IS LIXIVIATED WITH 

WATER, FILTERED, PARTIALLY EVAPORATED, & ALLOWED TO CRYSTALLIZE. 

[Osol, A. and J.E. Hoover, et al. (eds.). Remington's Pharmaceutical 

Sciences. 15th ed. Easton, Pennsylvania: Mack Publishing Co., 


REACTION OF NITROGEN OXIDES WITH AQUEOUS SODIUM HYDROXIDE. [SRI]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

Formed by burning sodium in nitric oxide. [KIRK-OTHMER ENCYC CHEM TECH 3RD 

ED 1978-PRESENT V21 p.186]**PEER REVIEWED** 

GENERAL MANUFACTURING INFORMATION: 

INCOMPATIBILITIES: ACETANILIDE, ANTIPYRINE, CHLORATES, HYPOPHOSPHITES, 

IODIDES, MERCURY SALTS, PERMANGANATES, SULFITES, TANNIC ACID, VEGETABLE 

ASTRINGENT DECOCTIONS, INFUSIONS OR TINCTURES. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The 



Addition of sodium nitrite to meat that accounts for 7% of the entire US 

food supply is generally believed to have reduced the risk of botulism in 

humans to almost zero. Nitrite retards the growth of botulinum spores, 

which are prevalent in food. [Booth, N.H., L.E. McDonald (eds.). 

Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 5th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State 

University Press, 1982.1100]**PEER REVIEWED** 

FORMULATIONS/PREPARATIONS: 

96-98% SODIUM NITRITE. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia 

of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 


GRADES: REAGENT; TECHNICAL; USP; FCC. [Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. 

(eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van 

Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987.1067]**PEER REVIEWED** 

U. S. PRODUCTION: 

(1977) AT LEAST 5.0X10+9 G [SRI]**PEER REVIEWED** 

U. S. IMPORTS: 

(1978) 3.94X10+9 G [SRI]**PEER REVIEWED** 

(1982) 4.68X10+9 G [SRI]**PEER REVIEWED** 

(1984) 8.14X10+9 g [BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION AND 

GENERAL IMPORTS 1984 p.1-351]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. EXPORTS: 

(1984) 4.03X10+11 g /Sodium compounds, NSPF/ [BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. U.S. 

EXPORTS, SCHEDULE E, 1984 p.2-93]**PEER REVIEWED** 

LABORATORY METHODS: 

ANALYTIC LABORATORY METHODS: 

HYDRAZINE METHOD, APPLICABLE IN PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF NITRATES OR 

CHLORIDES, IS USED TO DETERMINE NITRITES IN DRUG TABLETS BY TITRATION WITH 

IODINE. /NITRITES/ [Association of Official Analytic Chemists. Official 

Methods of Analysis of the AOAC. 14th ed. Arlington, VA: Association of 

Official Analytic Chemists, Inc., 1984.681/36.105]**PEER REVIEWED** 

COLORIMETRIC METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF ... NITRITE IN CURED MEAT. 

/NITRITE/ [Furia, T.E. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Food Additives. 2nd ed. 

Cleveland: The Chemical Rubber Co., 1972.155]**PEER REVIEWED** 

MODIFIED JONES REDUCTOR USED TO DETERMINE NITRATE & NITRITE IN CHEESES 

CONTAINING GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO 1 PPM NITRITE. /NITRATES & 

NITRITES/ [Association of Official Analytic Chemists. Official Methods of 

Analysis of the AOAC. 14th ed. Arlington, VA: Association of Official 

Analytic Chemists, Inc., 1984.310/16.278-2832]**PEER REVIEWED** 

TITRATION WITH SODIUM THIOSULFATE USED TO DETERMINE NITRITES (INCLUDING 

SODIUM NITRITE) IN DRY CURE MIX OR CURING PICKLE PRESERVATIVES. 

[Association of Official Analytic Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis 

of the AOAC. 14th ed. Arlington, VA: Association of Official Analytic 

Chemists, Inc., 1984.385/20.090-092]**PEER REVIEWED** 

DETERMINED COLORIMETRICALLY IN GUNSHOT RESIDUES BY METHOD BASED ON 

DIAZOTIZATION-COUPLING REACTION BETWEEN SULFANILIC ACID & 

ALPHA-NAPHTHYLAMINE FOLLOWED BY MEASURING ABSORBANCE AT 534 NM. [PETRACO N 

ET AL; FORENSIC SCI INT 18 (1): 85 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Nitrates and Nitrites in Meat; xylenol Method - To determine nitrates and 

nitrites in meat and meat products by comparing color of extract with 

standard nitrate curve prepared at 450 nm. /Nitrates and nitrites/ 



Chemists, Inc., 1984.436/24.041]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Colorimetric Method - Nitrites in cured meat is determined by color of 

extract at 540 nm and compared with standard nitrite curve. /Nitrites/ 



Chemists, Inc., 1984.436/24.044]**PEER REVIEWED** 

NIOSH Method 7300-1: Analyte: Sodium. Matrix: Air. Procedure: Inductively 

Coupled Argon Plasma, atomic emission spectroscopy. For sodium this method 

has an estimated detection limit of 1 ug per 500 liter air sample. The 

overall precision/RSD is 0.045 at 1000 ug/filter and the recovery is 101% 

at 100 ug/ filter. Applicability: The working range of this method is 

0.005 to 2.0 mg/cu m for sodium in 500 liter air sample. Interferences are 

the primary interferences. /Sodium/ [U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services, Public Health Service. Centers for Disease Control, National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH Manual of Analytical 

Methods, 3rd ed. Volumes 1 and 2 with 1985 supplement, and revisions. 

Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, February 

1984.7300-1]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Method - Method can be used to 

determine sodium in water at wavelength of 589.0 nm. Flame gases are 

air-acetylene. This method has a sensitivity of 0.005-0.2 mg/l. This 

method is applicable to determination of 1-200 mg sodium/l in surface and 

saline waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. /Sodium/ [Association 

of Official Analytic Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC. 

14th ed. Arlington, VA: Association of Official Analytic Chemists, Inc., 

1984.632/33.107-110]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Method 325B. Flame Emission Photometric. Trace amounts of sodium can be 

determined by flame emission photometry at a wavelengh of 589 nm. 

Detection limit is 100 ug/l. /Sodium/ [Franson, MA (Ed). Standard Methods 

for the Examination of Water and Wastewater P.246-249 (1985)]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

Method 305: Emission spectroscopy for the determination of sodium in water 

and wastewater samples using an inductively coupled plasma source. The 

exact choice of emission line is related to sample matrix and 

instrumentation. A typically used emission line for sodium in water is a 

wavelength of 589.0 nm, with an expected detection limit of 30 ug/l. 

/Sodium/ [Franson MA (Ed): Standard Methods for the Examination of Water 

and Wastewater p.181 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Direct Aspiration Atomic Absorption Spectrometry is used for the 

determination of sodium. Using air-acetylene as the flame gas at a 

wavelength of 589.0 nm. /Sodium/ [Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for 

the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.154 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

NIOSH Method 173: Analyte: Trace metals; Procedure: Atomic absorption 

spectrometry. Samples are treated with nitric acid to ash the organic 

matrix and to dissolve the metal present in the sample. The analysis is 

subsequently made by atomic absorption spectrometry. The relative standard 

deviation of the method is 3%. This method has the sensitivity of 0.015 

ug/m, detection limit of 0.0002 ug/ml, over a range of 0.5-5.0 ug/ml to 

21-210 ug/cu m. /Sodium/ [U.S. Department of Health, Education Welfare, 

Public Health Service. Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

Occupational Safety Health. NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods. 2nd ed. 

Volumes 1-7. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 

1977-present.173-1 Vol. 3]**PEER REVIEWED** 

EPA Method 9200: Nitrate. Method 9200 is applicable to the analysis of 

ground water, drinking, surface, and saline waters, and domestic and 

industrial wastes. Modification can be made to remove or correct for 

turbidity, color, salinity, or dissolved organic compounds in the sample. 

The applicable range of concentration is 0.1 to 2 mg nitrate-nitrogen/l of 

sample. This method is based upon the reaction of the nitrate ion with 

brucine sulfate in a 13 N sulfuric acid solution at a temperature of 100 

deg C. The color of the resulting complex is measured at 410 nm. 

Temperature control of the color reaction is extremely critical. 

Twenty-seven analysts in fifteen laboratories analyzed natural-water 

samples containing increments (as nitrogen, nitrate) of 0.16, 0.19, 0.08,

and 1.24 mg/l with the precision as the standard deviation of 0.092, 

0.083, 0.245, and 0.214 mg/l, respectively. /Nitrate/ [USEPA; Test Methods 

for Evaluating Solid Waste SW-846 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Method 418C: Reduction Method. This method uses commercially available 

cadmium granules treated with copper sulfate to form a copper coating. The 

nitrite produced is determined by diazotizing with sulfanilamide and 

coupling with N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine to form a highly colored azo 

dye that is measured colorimetrically. The applicable range of this method 

is 0.01 to 1.0 mg nitrate-nitrogen/l. The method especially is recommended 

for nitrate levels below 0.1 mg nitrogen/l where other methods lack 

adequate sensitivity. /Nitrate/ [Franson MA (Ed); Standard Methods for the 

Examination of Water and Wastewater p.394 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

Method 418D: Chromotropic Acid Method. Two moles of nitrate react with one 

mole of chromotropic acid to form a yellow reaction product with maximum 

absorbance at 410 nm. The maximum color develops within 10 min and is 

stable for 24 hr. The method is recommended for the concn range 0.1 to 5 

mg nitrate ion-nitrogen/l. A synthetic sample containing 1.00 mg nitrate 

ion-nitrogen/l was analyzed by 5 laboratories with a relative standard 

deviation of 8% and relative error of 3%. /Nitrate/ [Franson MA (Ed); 

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.397-8 


Method 418E: Devarda's Alloy Reduction Method. This method is recommended 

for oxidized nitrogen concn greater than 2 mg/l. In this technique, 

nitrate ion and nitrite ion are reduced to ammonia under hot alkaline 

conditions in the presence of a reducing agent, Devarda's alloy (an alloy 

of 50% copper, 45% aluminum and 5% zinc). The reduction is carried out in 

a kjeldahl distillation apparatus. Under hot alaline conditions, the 

ammonia formed distills and is trapped in a receiving flask containing 

boric acid. The ammonia can be determined either by direct nesslerization 

or acidimetrically. /A separate determination of nitrogen dioxide should 

be made and subtracted, otherwise the result is reported as "total 

oxidized nitrogen."/ The recovery of 200 to 400 ug nitrate ion-nitrogen 

from partially treated effluents was found to average 96% with a 

coefficient of variation of 7.7%. /Nitrate/ [Franson MA (Ed); Standard 

Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater p.398-9 (1985)]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

EPA Method 7770: Atomic Absorption, Direct Aspiration for the 

determination of sodium in solution. Preliminary treatment of waste water, 

ground water, extraction procedure (EP) extracts, and industrial waste is 

always necessary because of the complexity and variability of the sample 

matrix. The performance characteristics for an aqueous sample free of 

interferences are: optimum concentration range of 0.03-1 mg/l with a 

wavelength of 589.6 nm, a sensitivity of 0.002 mg/l, and a detection limit 

of 0.015 mg/l. /Sodium/ [USEPA; Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste 

SW-846 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SAMPLING PROCEDURES: 

NIOSH Method. Analyte: Sodium. MATRIX: Air. Sampler: Filter (0.8-um, 

cellulose ester membrane) Flow Rate: 1 to 4 liter/min. Sample Size: 500 

liters. SHIPMENT: Routine. Sample Stability: Stable. /Sodium/ [U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Centers 

for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health. NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, 3rd ed. Volumes 1 and 2 with

1985 supplement, and revisions. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing 

Office, February 1984.7300-1]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SPECIAL REFERENCES: 

SPECIAL REPORTS: 

NAS/NRC; Nitrates, An Environmental Assessment 723 pp. (1978) 

SYNONYMS AND IDENTIFIERS: 

SYNONYMS: 

Diazotizing salts **PEER REVIEWED** 

DUSITAN SODNY (CZECH) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 

Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for 

Occupational Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical 

Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS 

file.84/8307]**PEER REVIEWED** 

ERINITRIT **PEER REVIEWED** 

FILMERINE **PEER REVIEWED** 

NATRIUM NITRIT (GERMAN) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 





NCI-C02084 [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health 

Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational 

Safety Health. Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). 

National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS file.84/8307]**PEER 

REVIEWED** 

NITRITE DE SODIUM (FRENCH) [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 





Nitrito sodico (Spanish) **PEER REVIEWED** 

NITROUS ACID, SODIUM SALT **PEER REVIEWED** 

ANTI-RUST **PEER REVIEWED** 

SYNFAT 1004 **PEER REVIEWED** 

ASSOCIATED CHEMICALS: Nitrite;14797-65-0 

FORMULATIONS/PREPARATIONS: 

96-98% SODIUM NITRITE. [Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia

of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 


GRADES: REAGENT; TECHNICAL; USP; FCC. [Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. 

(eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van 

Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987.1067]**PEER REVIEWED** 

SHIPPING NAME/ NUMBER DOT/UN/NA/IMO: 

UN 1500; Sodium nitrite 

IMO 5.1; Sodium nitrite 

STANDARD TRANSPORTATION NUMBER: 

49 187 47; Sodium nitrite 

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: 

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES DATABANK NUMBER: 757 

LAST REVISION DATE: 20030305 

LAST REVIEW DATE: Reviewed by SRP on 02/06/1991 

UPDATE HISTORY: 

Complete Update on 03/05/2003, 7 fields added/edited/deleted. 

Field Update on 02/14/2003, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 








Complete Update on 03/03/2000, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 






Complete Update on 06/03/1999, 1 field added/edited/deleted.



















Field update on 12/15/1992, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 



Field update on 01/28/1991, 1 field added/edited/deleted. 






Complete Update on 02/15/1985

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