sodium

H260: In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]

H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]

P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P321, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

H260 (100%): In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously [Danger Substances and mixtures which in contact with water, emit flammable gases]

H314 (100%): Causes severe skin burns and eye damage [Danger Skin corrosion/irritation]

H318 (45.1%): Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

P223, P231+P232, P260, P264, P264+P265, P280, P301+P330+P331, P302+P335+P334, P302+P361+P354, P304+P340, P305+P354+P338, P316, P317, P321, P363, P370+P378, P402+P404, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

Aggregated GHS information provided per 439 reports by companies from 9 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.

Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website.

H318: Causes serious eye damage [Danger Serious eye damage/eye irritation]

Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer for medical attention.

Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention .

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

SKIN: brush off any metal, then flood with water for at least 15 min.; treat as heat or caustic burn; call a doctor. (USCG, 1999)

General First Aid:

· Call 911 or emergency medical service.

· Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, take precautions to protect themselves and avoid contamination.

· Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely.

· Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.

· If victim is not breathing:

-- DO NOT perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; the victim may have ingested or inhaled the substance.

-- If equipped and pulse detected, wash face and mouth, then give artificial respiration using a proper respiratory medical device (bag-valve mask, pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other device).

-- If no pulse detected or no respiratory medical device available, provide continuous compressions. Conduct a pulse check every two minutes or monitor for any signs of spontaneous respirations.

· Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes.

· For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin.

· In case of contact with substance, remove immediately by flushing skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

· For severe burns, immediate medical attention is required.

· Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact) to substance may be delayed.

· Keep victim calm and warm.

· Keep victim under observation.

· For further assistance, contact your local Poison Control Center.

· Note: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) should be done by trained professionals.

Specific First Aid:

· In case of contact with substance, wipe from skin immediately; flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes.

In Canada, an Emergency Response Assistance Plan (ERAP) may be required for this product. Please consult the shipping paper and/or the "ERAP" section.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING METALS OR POWDERS (ALUMINUM, LITHIUM, MAGNESIUM, ETC.): Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see ERG Guide 170.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. (ERG, 2024)

Use special powder, dry sand. NO other agents. Combat fire from a sheltered position.

... Improved methods for extinction of liq sodium ... fires are described which involve application of low-melting inorganic powder mixtures which melt and form a protective crust. Mixtures of sodium carbonate or graphite, with lithium carbonate, sodium chloride or sodium fluoride are very effective for sodium.

use approved Class D extinguishers or smother with dry sand, dry clay, or dry ground limestone. DO NOT use carbon dioxide or halogenated extinguishing agents. DO NOT use water. Violent reaction may result.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not use water. Do not use carbon dioxide. Use graphite, soda ash, powdered sodium chloride, or suitable dry powder.

Sodium and carbon dioxide are normally unreactive till red-heat has been attained, but mixtures of the 2 solids are impact-sensitive and explode violently. Carbon dioxide is unsuitable as an extinguishant for the burning metal alone, as the intensity of combustion is incr by replacing air with carbon dioxide (72.7% oxygen content). However it has been used successfully to extinguish solvent fires where sodium was also present, since it often fails to ignite because of the blanketing effect of solvent vapor. Conversely addition of kerosene to burning sodium enables the whole to be extinguished with carbon dioxide. Finely divided silica (sand) will often react with burning sodium, so is not entirely suitable as an extinguishant. (Anhydrous sodium carbonate and sodium chloride are suitably unreactive for this purpose) ...

... Water reactive ... Evolves hydrogen and ignites on contact with water ...

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· Keep unauthorized personnel away.

· Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.

· Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

· Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

· Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material.

· DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

Small Spill

· Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

· Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

Powder Spill

· Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry.

· DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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. (ERG, 2024)

Immediate precautionary measure

· Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

Large Spill

· Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

· If tank, rail tank car or highway tank 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.

Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Cover the spilled material with dry powder.

Keep water away from release. Do not create dust. Shovel into suitable dry container.

Absorb spilled sodium dry, cover remainder with kerosine, paraffin oil or dry sand, eliminate last traces with methylated spirit.

Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Put on proper protective equipment. Blanket with appropriate inert material. Scoop up and place in a suitable, sealed container. Ventilare area after clean-up is complete. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstreen users of potentially contaminated waters...

This chemical is a combustible solid. A severe fire risk on contact with water or moisture. Blanket with dry soda-ash, graphite, salt, dry limestone or other approved dry powder. Do NOT use water, carbon dioxide or halogenated extingushers.

For more Cleanup Methods (Complete) data for SODIUM (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Incineration with absorption of oxide fumes.

SCRAPS ... SHOULD BE DESTROYED BY REACTION WITH N-BUTYL ALCOHOL.

In a discussion of safe methods for lab use of sodium, disposal of small quantities (up to 5 to 10 g) by immersion on isopropanol, which may contain up to 2% of water to incr the rate of reaction, is recommended. Quantities up to 50 g should be burned in a heavy metal dish, using a gas flame, (with suitable arrangements for dispersion or absorption of the alkaline particulate smoke so produced).

SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. Contaminated clothing should not be taken home at end of shift, but should remain at employee's place of work for cleaning.

Employees should wash immediately with soap when skin is wet or contaminated.

For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for SODIUM (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 138 [Substances - Water-Reactive (Emitting Flammable Gases)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Dike for later disposal; do not apply water unless directed to do so.

POWDER SPILL: Cover powder spill with plastic sheet or tarp to minimize spreading and keep powder dry. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2024)

Fireproof. Keep under mineral oil. Dry. Well closed.

Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Separate from water.

Serum cap closures are safer than screw caps.

Sodium must be stored to avoid contact with water, halogenated hydrocarbons, phosphorus and phosphorus compounds and sulfur and sulfur compounds since violent reactions occur. Protect storage containers from physical damage. Keep in an inert atmosphere or under oil. Requires special precautions to avoid contact with moisture, including condensation from other objects and perspiration. Store in a dry, fire resistive room exclusively for sodium storage. Sprinkler systems should not be used, so keep combustibles away. Remove only the amount of sodium needed for immediate use and place dry in a friction top metal can under a layer of oil. Transport in a special container with a tight fitting cover.

One-pound bricks and smaller amounts may be encountered in chemistry laboratories, where it is usually protected from the air by immersion in an aliphatic oil.

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE.

· Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.

0.50 [mg/m3]

5.0 [mg/m3]

50 [mg/m3]

· DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

Small Fire

· Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or sand.

Large Fire

· DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn.

· If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

Fire Involving Metals or Powders (Aluminum, Lithium, Magnesium, etc.)

· Use dry chemical, DRY sand, sodium chloride powder, graphite powder or class D extinguishers; in addition, for Lithium you may use Lith-X® powder or copper powder. Also, see GUIDE 170.

Fire Involving Tanks, Rail Tank Cars or Highway Tanks

· Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles.

· Do not get water inside containers.

· Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out.

· Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank.

· ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames.

See ICSC 0360 (sodium hydroxide).

Maximum protective clothing; goggles and face shield. (USCG, 1999)

Where sodium is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electical equipment and fittings.

Wear protective gloves and clothing to prevent any reasonable probability of skin contact. ... All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Contact lens should not be worn when working with this chemical. Wear dust-proof chemical goggles and face shiel unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. ... Provide emergency showers and eyesash.

NO contact with water, acids or halogens. NO open flames, NO sparks and NO smoking.

Use closed system or ventilation.

Protective gloves. Protective clothing.

Wear face shield.

Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.

Sodium appears as a silvery soft metal that becomes grayish white upon exposure to air. Shipped as a solid or molten liquid. Burns violently with explosions that may spatter the material. Used for making gasoline additives, electric power cable, sodium lamps, other chemicals.

Dry Powder; Wet Solid; Other Solid; CBI; Dry Powder; Other Solid

Silver to grayish-white, soft solid under kerosene; [CHRIS]

SILVERY SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS.

Light, silvery-white metal; body-centered cubic structure; lustrous when freshly cut; tarnishes on exposure to air, becoming dull and gray; soft at ordinary temperature, fairly hard at -20 °C

Waxlike at room temperature, brittle at low temperatures

Light, soft, ductile, malleable, silver-white metal

1621 °F at 760 mmHg (USCG, 1999)

881.4 °C

882.94 °C @760 [mm Hg]

207.5 °F (USCG, 1999)

97.82 °C

Alkali metal; valence 1; naturally occurring isotope (stable): 23 (100%); heat capacity (solid): 0.292 cal/g °C; heat capacity (liquid at melting point): 0.331 cal/g °C; heat of fusion: 27.05 cal/g; reduction potential (aqueous) Na/Na+: 2.714 V; reacts vigorously with oxygen, burning with a yellow flame;; combines directly with the halogens, with phosphorus; reduces most oxides to the elemental state, reduces metallic chlorides; when heated in ammonia gas yields sodamide

97.794 °C

Insoluble in benzene, kerosene, naphtha

Dissolves in liquid ammonia to give blue solution: dissolves in mercury, forming sodium amalgam

Solubility in water: reaction

0.971 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Less dense than water; will float

0.968 g/cu cm at 20 °C

Ionization potential: 5.139 V; thermal conductivity: 132.3W/m K at 293.15 K; electrical resistivity: 4.77x10-8 Ohm m at 293 K; critical density: 206 kg/cu m; atomic radius in metallic lattice: 189.6 pm

0.97 g/cm³

0.97 @25 °C

1.2 [mmHg]

0.000185 Pa (1.39X10-6 mm Hg) at 400 K (127 °C); 5.60 Pa (0.042 mm Hg) at 600 K (327 °C)

Vapor pressure at 20 °C: negligible

TARNISHES ON EXPOSURE TO AIR, BECOMING DULL & GRAY

250 °F (USCG, 1999)

ABOVE 115 °C IN DRY AIR

120-125 °C

VIOLENTLY DECOMPOSES WATER, FORMING SODIUM HYDROXIDE & HYDROGEN ... .

Decomp water & alcohol.

0.680 cP at 100 °C; 0.284 cP at 400 °C; 0.820 cP at 550 °C

3.874X10+6 J/kg at boiling point

192 dyn/cm at melting point; 161 dyn/cm at 400 °C; 146 dyn/cm at 550 °C

INDEX OF REFRACTION: 4.22

Atomic weight = 22.989770

Normally does not ignite in air at temperatures below 115 °C

A soft waxy material at ordinary temperatures; burns in air to form sodium oxide which readily takes up water to form sodium hydroxide; combined with hydrochloric acid, it forms sodium chloride (common salt), and with nitric acid, it forms sodium nitrate

Has excellent electrical conductivity and high heat-absorbing capacity

SODIUM, REDUCED TO FINE STATE OF SUBDIVISION, WHEN MIXED WITH LEAD OXIDE IGNITES SPONTANEOUSLY.

May ignite spontaneously in air. Reacts violently with water to give sodium hydroxide and hydrogen, which ignites spontaneously [Merck, 11th ed. 1989)]. The ignition temperature of sodium in air depends on the area of surface exposed: vapor ignites at room temperature; droplets at about 250 °F; an agitated pool at 400 °F. In the absence of moisture and hydrogen, the reaction is insignificant [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:440 1961].

Metals, Alkali, Very Active

Strong Reducing Agent

Water-Reactive

Pyrophoric

CSL00071

SODIUM + Chlorinated hydrocarbon

Potentially explosive

Explosive

User-Reported

CSL00102

DICHLOROMETHANE + SODIUM

CSL00103

SODIUM + CHLOROFORM

CSL00123

SODIUM + CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

After standing for a short time, the reaction products are shock-sensitive and highly explosive.

ACS Safety Letters

CSL00194

Nitrous oxide + Nitric oxide + Sodium + Hydrogen + Sodium formate + Toluene

"A safety letter from Merck & Co. chemists titled “Nitric Oxide at High Pressure” (C&EN, Jan. 30, page 6) described two explosions during depressurization of a reaction between NO and methanol under basic conditions. The products in a model system with sodium methoxide were described as nitrous oxide and formic acid, presumably as sodium formate. A potential danger in this system should be pointed out: Sodium formate undergoes thermal decomposition to give hydrogen gas (J. Am. Chem. Soc.,DOI: 10.1021/ja02245a004), which explodes spontaneously in the presence of nitrous oxide above critical limits (J. Am. Chem. Soc., DOI: 10.1021/ja01179a036), even in the absence of a catalyst or source of ignition. The presence of hydrogen and nitrous oxide above a reaction mixture was undoubtedly the cause of an explosion and fire in my laboratory in 1981 during workup of a reaction between sodium and nitric oxide. The major product of the reaction is cis-sodium hyponitrite, which decomposes immediately in water to form sodium hydroxide and nitrous oxide. The employee, a biology major who was badly burned, had carried out the reaction a number of times without incident. This time he tried twice and failed to disperse about 30 g of sodium in toluene and, without consulting me, decided to continue the reaction. The explosion occurred as he was attempting to destroy the unreacted sodium, a lump too large to remove from the flask, by dropwise addition of water. Most of the sodium had reacted at the time of the explosion, and there was no indication of mechanical failure. At the time, I was unaware of the extreme incompatibility of the two gases, and the accident was extremely puzzling. The reaction mixture was close to room temperature and was stirred rapidly while the headspace was flushed with a stream of nitrogen. When I arrived at the laboratory a few minutes after the accident, nitrogen was still flowing from the burned-off end of the plastic tubing. Since that time, I noticed a reference to the “hydrogen explosion” in the ancient chemical literature as a way to identify nitrous oxide." (reprint of the full-text)

Medium (up to 100g)

10.1021/cen-09013-letters

Literature Reference

10/15/2022

10/14/2022

SODIUM is a powerful reducing agent. Reacts with incandescence with boron trifluoride [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. Reacts explosively with maleic anhydride [Chem Safety Data Sheet SD-88 1962; Chem. Haz. Info. Series C-71 1960]. Explodes on contact with bromoazide. Mixtures with any of the following produce a strong explosion on impact: aluminum bromide, aluminum chloride, aluminum fluoride, ammonium chloride, antimony(III) bromide, antimony(III) chloride, antimony(III) iodide, arsenic(III) chloride, arsenic(III) iodide, bismuth(III) bromide, bismuth(III) chloride, bismuth(III) iodide, boron tribromide, carbon tetrachloride, chromium(IV) chloride, cobalt(II) bromide, cobalt(II) chloride, copper(II) chloride, iron(II) chloride, iron(III) bromide, iron(II) iodide, iodine bromide, manganese(II) chloride, mercury(II) bromide, mercury(II) chloride, mercury(II) fluoride, mercury(II) iodide, mercury(I) chloride, silicon tetrachloride, silver fluoride, tin(IV) chloride, tin(IV) iodide (with sulfur), tin(II) chloride, sulfur dibromide, sulfur dichloride, thallium(I) bromide, vanadium pentachloride, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus tribromide, and zinc bromide [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:497 1961]. Reacts with ammonium nitrate to form a yellow explosive substance, thought to be disodium nitrite [Mellor 8: Supp. 1 546 1964]. Reduces heated bismuth(III) oxide to the metal; the reaction is accompanied by incandescence [Mellor 9:649 1946-47]. Reacts, if finely divided, with bromine with luminescence. Burns spontaneously in moist chlorine. Reacts at room temperature with iodine [Mellor 2 Supp. 1:848 1956]. Reacts explosively with Dry Ice if the two are brought together by impact [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:468 1961]. Forms explosive mixtures with chlorinated hydrocarbons [Chem. Eng. News 26:2604 1948]. Explodes on contact with hydrochloric acid [Mellor 2:469 1946-47]. Explodes with aqueous hydrofluoric acid [Mellor 2:469 1946-47]. Ignites spontaneously in contact with dilute nitric acid [Mellor 2:470 1946-47]. Reacts with dilute sulfuric acid with explosive violence [Mellor 2:470 1946-47]. Sodium ignites on contact with hydroxylamine. (Mellor, 1940, Vol. 8, 292.)

REACTS VIOLENTLY /WITH WATER/, WITH FORMATION OF FLAMMABLE HYDROGEN GAS & CAUSTIC SODA SOLN.

REACTS VIGOROUSLY WITH OXYGEN, BURNING WITH YELLOW FLAME.

DANGEROUS, WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT OR FLAME, OR BY CHEMICAL REACTION WITH MOISTURE, AIR, OR ANY OXIDIZING MATERIAL ... REACTS EXOTHERMALLY WITH HALOGENS, ACIDS & HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS.

Anhydrous hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride or sulfuric acid react slowly with sodium, while the aq soln react explosively. Nitric acid of density above 1.056 causes ignition of sodium.

For more Hazardous Reactivities and Incompatibilities (Complete) data for SODIUM (73 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

D*: Other compounds that may form peroxides

Prudent Practices

Several explosions involving sodium metal stored under organic solvent have been attributed to a layer of peroxide formation that built up over time. See Bretherick's.

Peacocke, T. A. H., Chem. Brit., 1979, 15, 233

Anon., Sichere Chemiearbeit., 1989, 41(5), 58

Major ion

Smith, C.D. and Nowell, L.H., 2024. Health-Based Screening Levels for evaluating water-quality data (3rd ed.). DOI:10.5066/F71C1TWP

Serious by all routes of exposure.

Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation.

Pain. Blisters. Serious skin burns.

Severe deep burns. Loss of vision.

Burning sensation. Shock or collapse.

Dermatotoxin - Skin burns.

Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . If product was ingested, protect yourself from contact with vomitus, since it may cause burns. /Flammable Solids/

Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag valve mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias as necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia (decreased level of consciousness, tachycardia, pallor, dilated pupils,diaphoresis, and/or readings below 50 mg/dl on dextrose strip 130 or glucometer) and administer 50% dextrose if necessary. Draw blood sample before administration ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Flammable solids/

Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, for those with frequent or potentially high exposure to sodium metal, the following are recommended: lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Short-Term Exposure: Inhalation: Contact with water, including perspiration, causes the formation of sodium hydroxide fumes which are highly irritating to skin, eyes, nose and throat. May cause sneezing and coughing. Very severe exposures may result in difficult breathing, coughing, and chemical bronchitis. High exposures can cause pulmonary edema, a medical emergency that can be delayed for several hours. This can cause death. Skin: Contact may cause itching, tingling, thermal and caustic burns and may cause permanent damage. Eyes: May cause tearing, very painful irritation, and burns. Contact with eyes may result in permanent damage and loss of sight. Ingestion: Causes immediate intense burning sensation in mouth, throat and stomach, followed by salivation, vomiting, rapid breathing, symptoms of shock, diarrhea, loss of consciousness and death.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Occasional severe burns of eyes which have been caused by sodium are attributable principally to sodium hydroxide.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Extremely caustic to all tissue.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Corrosive. Causes severe eye and skin burns.

Occurrence in earth's crust: 2.83% by wt; principal cation in hydrosphere. ... found in form of its cmpd, halides, silicates, carbonates; does not occur free.

Sodium is present in fair abundance in sun and stars. D-lines of sodium are among most prominent in solar spectrum. ... 6th most abundant element on earth ... most abundant of alkali group of metals ... most common cmpd is sodium chloride ... other minerals ... soda niter, cryolite, amphibole, zeolite, sodalite ... .

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 262,032 workers (34,622 of these are female) are potentially exposed to sodium in the US(1).

Occurrence in earth's crust: 2.83% by wt; principal cation in hydrosphere. ... found in form of its cmpd, halides, silicates, carbonates; does not occur free.

Sodium is present in fair abundance in sun and stars. D-lines of sodium are among most prominent in solar spectrum. ... 6th most abundant element on earth ... most abundant of alkali group of metals ... most common cmpd is sodium chloride ... other minerals ... soda niter, cryolite, amphibole, zeolite, sodalite ... .

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 262,032 workers (34,622 of these are female) are potentially exposed to sodium in the US(1).

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Incineration with absorption of oxide fumes.

SCRAPS ... SHOULD BE DESTROYED BY REACTION WITH N-BUTYL ALCOHOL.

In a discussion of safe methods for lab use of sodium, disposal of small quantities (up to 5 to 10 g) by immersion on isopropanol, which may contain up to 2% of water to incr the rate of reaction, is recommended. Quantities up to 50 g should be burned in a heavy metal dish, using a gas flame, (with suitable arrangements for dispersion or absorption of the alkaline particulate smoke so produced).

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Fire or Explosion: Produce flammable gases on contact with water. May ignite on contact with water or moist air. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Some are transported in highly flammable liquids. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Health: Inhalation or contact with vapors, substance or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. May produce corrosive solutions on contact with water. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate the area before entry.

/GUIDE 138 SUBSTANCES - WATER-REACTIVE (Emitting Flammable Gases)/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible.

For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for SODIUM (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

UN 1428; Sodium

IMO 4.3; Sodium

49 164 56; Sodium, metal

49 164 57; Sodium, metal dispersion in organic solvent

49 164 58; Sodium, metal liquid alloy

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)./

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. Sodium is included on the dangerous goods list.

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. Sodium is included on the dangerous goods list.

Dangerous When Wet

Airtight. Unbreakable packaging. Put breakable packaging into closed unbreakable container.

Symbol: F, C; R: 14/15-34; S: (1/2)-5-8-43-45

UN Hazard Class: 4.3; UN Pack Group: I