Natriumchlorit

Excerpt from ERG Guide 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

Use water in large amounts, water spray. NO carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest.

First rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, then remove contaminated clothes and rinse again.

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

Rinse mouth. Induce vomiting (ONLY IN CONSCIOUS PERSONS!). Refer for medical attention .

· 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 combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 143 [Oxidizers (Unstable)]:

General First Aid:

Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition products. Use flooding quantities of water as fog or spray. Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Extinguish fire using agent suitable for surrounding fire.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Flood with water. Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.

Evacuation: If fire becomes uncontrollable-consider evacuation of one-half (1/2) mile radius.

Prompt cleanup and removal are necessary. Shovel into suitable dry container. Control runoff and isolate discharged material for proper disposal.

Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Ventilate area after cleanup is complete. Keep sodium chlorate out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters.

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.

This product is toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, oysters, and shrimp. Do not discharge effluent containing this product into lakes, streams, ponds, estuaries, oceans, or other waters unless in accordance with the requirements of a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and the permitting authority has been notified in writing prior to discharge. Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without previously notifying the local sewage treatment plant authority. For guidance contact your State Water Board or Regional Office of the EPA.

... The ability of sodium chlorite to promote skin tumors in a group of 20 female Sencar mice /was assessed/. These mice were initiated with a single topical application of 20 nmol (5.1 ug) of dimethylbenzanthracene in acetone followed by 0.2-mL applications of sodium chlorite at 20 mg/mL in acetone twice weekly for 51 weeks. A group of 15 female mice given a single application of dimethylbenzanthracene followed by applications of acetone were used as controls. This treatment resulted in 5 of 25 mice having squamous cell carcinomas at 52 weeks. No tumors were found in the corresponding initiated control mice. Both TPA and benzoyl peroxide produced increased tumor incidence in dimethylbenzanthracene-initiated mice. These data indicate the potential for a weak tumor-promoting activity for sodium chlorite. However, no dose-response information has been forthcoming in the literature.

LC50 Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck, age 9 days) diet >5000 ppm/ 8 days

LC50 Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck, juvenile) diet 18686 ppm (8186-109184 ppm)/ 8 days

LC50 Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard duck, adult) oral 1000 mg/kg (690-1450 mg/kg)/ 14 days

LC50 Colinus virginianus (Northern bobwhite, age 13 days) diet >5000 ppm/ 8 days

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for SODIUM CHLORITE (25 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) and chlorite are of moderate acute toxicity ... Studies conducted with sodium chlorite in a number of species demonstrated that the most consistent finding is oxidative stress associated with changes in erythrocytes. This observation was also supported by a number of biochemical studies conducted in vitro. Some studies have indicated that the effect may be related to a reduction in serum glutathione levels, thus reducing the body's ability to protect the erythrocytes from the effects of sodium chlorite. Other studies have indicated that sodium chlorite may cause damage to the erythrocyte membrane. For effects on erythrocytes, the lowest LOAEL of 19 mg/kg bw per day, expressed as chlorite, was derived from a 13-week gavage study in rats in which the NOAEL was 7.4 mg/kg bw per day, expressed as chlorite... Sodium chlorite was not carcinogenic following a number of long-term studies, although these were not conducted to current standards... Sodium chlorite has given positive results in some, but not all, in vitro genotoxicity assays and in one of the two available in vivo mouse micronucleus assays involving intraperitoneal administration. Negative results were obtained in several in vivo assays, for induction of bone marrow micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations and sperm-head abnormalities, involving oral administration of sodium chlorite to mice... Reproductive toxicity studies have shown no adverse effects of ASC or sodium chlorite on fertility. A multigeneration study of reproduction and developmental neurotoxicity was available in which sodium chlorite was administered to rats in drinking-water at a concentration of 35, 70 or 300 mg/L. Published information indicated that the highest dose tested resulted in effects on body weight in both sexes of the parental generation and a range of effects in the offspring, including decreased body weight, changes in haematological parameters and a decrease in maximum startle response amplitude at postnatal day (PND) 24, but not at PND 60. A small but statistically significant decrease in maximum startle response amplitude was also reported at the middle dose at PND 24. The Committee considered that this observation was attributable to perturbed habituation in the control animals. Other effects observed in the offspring of the high-dose group (i.e. reduced absolute brain weight and slight delays in attainment of sexual maturity) could be attributable to reduced body weight. In addition, a USEPA toxicological review of chlorine dioxide and chlorite cited data contained only in the unpublished original study report showing reduced absolute and relative liver weights in the F0 females and F1 males and females of the high-dose group and in the F0 females and F1 males of the mid-dose group.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ In the environment, chlorine dioxide and sodium chlorite are assessed together because chlorine dioxide is produced by a reaction of sodium chlorite (and sometime sodium chlorate) and hypochlorite/acid. In addition, chlorite is a breakdown product of chlorine dioxide. ... For freshwater aquatic animals, the results of studies examining the toxicity of chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite to freshwater fish indicate these chemicals range from slightly toxic to practically non-toxic on an acute basis. For aquatic invertebrates, the studies indicate that chlorine dioxide and sodium chlorite range from very highly toxic for technical grade sodium chlorite to practically non-toxic for the formulated product on an acute basis. Results of toxicity studies indicate that chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite are slightly toxic to estuarine/marine fish on an acute basis and range from highly toxic to slightly toxic to estuarine/marine invertebrates on an acute basis.

/PLANTS/ For terrestrial plants, results of toxicity studies indicate that chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite are moderately toxic to terrestrial plants. For aquatic plants, toxicity study results indicate chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite are moderately toxic to aquatic plants.

Cough. Sore throat.

Redness. Pain.

Redness. Pain.

Abdominal pain. Vomiting.

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Agent Search Results page, which tabulates all of the "Standard Toxicology & Carcinogenesis Studies", "Developmental Studies", and "Genetic Toxicity Studies" performed with this chemical. Clicking on the "Testing Status" link will take the user to the status (i.e., in review, in progress, in preparation, on test, completed, etc.) and results of all the studies that the NTP has done on this chemical. [http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=7758-19-2][Available from: http://ntp-apps.niehs.nih.gov/ntp_tox/index.cfm?fuseaction=ntpsearch.searchresults&searchterm=7758-19-2]

Chlorite (sodium salt)

Developmental

3 x 10 ^-2 mg/kg-day

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ The rising-dose tolerance study ... involved administration of progressively increasing single doses of /sodium/ chlorite (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.8 or 2.4 mg chlorite/L) in two 500-mL portions to a group of 10 healthy adult male volunteers. Doses were administered on days 1, 4, 7, 10, 13 and 16. In the interval between doses, clinical evaluations of the subjects were performed and a battery of clinical chemistry tests was performed on blood and urine samples. These latter tests were primarily directed at potential hematological effects of chlorite, but serum thyroxine and uptake of triiodothyronine were also determined. In addition, blood pressure, ECGs and other physiological parameters were monitored. No treatment-related effects were observed.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ In the repeated-dose study ... 10 male volunteers were administered /sodium chlorite (equiv to 5 mg of chlorite/L)/ in a 500-mL portion for 12 weeks (0.036 mg chlorite/kg of body weight per day). Physical examinations and blood and urine analyses were conducted throughout the duration of treatment and for 8 weeks following the last dose of the solutions. None of the parameters investigated was found to fall outside the normal range; although there were some consistent changes in values with time, none of these appeared to be related to chlorite treatment. Three individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were identified in the course of the study. This genetic disorder makes individuals more sensitive to oxidative damage, which is frequently manifested as increased methemoglobin production and hemolysis when the individuals are exposed to oxidative chemicals in sufficient doses. All three individuals were treated with chlorite in the same concentrations and in the same manner as described for the study of normal individuals ... . No clinically significant changes were found in these individuals.

/CASE REPORTS/ A 25-year-old Chinese male presented with generalized cyanosis and respiratory distress. The patient was known to have ingested 10 g of sodium chlorite in a suicide attempt. Methemoglobinemia was found and intravenous methylene blue was given repeatedly. However, the therapy could not prevent an acute hemolytic crisis. Methemoglobinemia remained profound (43.1%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation ensued. He was put on CAVHD to correct the fluid overload and probably to remove the active metabolites of the chlorite. After 24 hr, the methemoglobin was reduced to 16.9%. However, the development of acute renal failure further complicated the clinical course. Percutaneous renal biopsy suggested a picture of acute tubulointerstitial nephropathy. In addition, hemodialysis was continued for 4 weeks. After 3 months, renal function normalized...

/EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES/ ... Infant morbidity and mortality data for a community that had utilized "high" levels of chlorine dioxide as a drinking water disinfectant in the 1940s /was retrospectively compared/ with data of a neighboring community using conventional drinking water chlorination practices. ... /It was/ reported average monthly levels of 0.32 ppm of sodium chlorite added post-treatment ... . Exposure to chlorine dioxide-treated water did not adversely affect fetal, neonatal, postneonatal, or infant mortality, nor did it affect birthweight, sex ratio, or birth condition. Incidence of newborns judged premature by physician assessment was significantly higher in the community with chlorine dioxide-treated water. ... /It was later reviewed and/ concluded there was no increase in the proportion of premature infants when the age of the mother was controlled and that there was a greater postnatal weight loss in infants from the exposed community. /Chlorine dioxide-disinfected water/

Sodium chlorite

Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans

Volume 52: (1991) Chlorinated Drinking-water; Chlorination By-products; Some Other Halogenated Compounds; Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds

1991

1990

Sodium chlorite is an indirect food additive for use only as a component of adhesives.

Food starch-modified as described in this section may be safely used in food. The quantity of any substance employed to effect such modification shall not exceed the amount reasonably required to accomplish the intended physical or technical effect, nor exceed any limitation prescribed. To insure safe use of the food starch-modified, the label of the food additive container shall bear the name of the additive "food starch-modified" in addition to other information required by the Act. Food starch may be modified by treatment prescribed as follows: ... Food starch may be bleached by treatment with one or more of the following: sodium chlorite, not to exceed 0.5 percent.

Indirect food substances affirmed as generally recognized as safe. ... The ingredient is used at levels from 125 to 250 parts per million as a slimicide in the manufacture of paper and paperboard that contact food.

As the federal pesticide law FIFRA directs, EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of older pesticides to consider their health and environmental effects and make decisions about their future use. Under this pesticide reregistration program, EPA examines health and safety data for pesticide active ingredients initially registered before November 1, 1984, and determines whether they are eligible for reregistration. In addition, all pesticides must meet the new safety standard of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. Pesticides for which EPA had not issued Registration Standards prior to the effective date of FIFRA, as amended in 1988, were divided into three lists based upon their potential for human exposure and other factors, with List B containing pesticides of greater concern and List D pesticides of less concern. Sodium chlorite is found on List D. Case No: 4023; Pesticide type: Insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, and antimicrobial; Case Status: OPP is reviewing data from the pesticide's producers regarding its human health and/or environmental effects, or OPP is determining the pesticide's eligibility for reregistration and developing the Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) document.; Active ingredient (AI): Sodium chlorite; Data Call-in (DCI) Date(s): 09/07/93; AI Status: The producers of the pesticide has made commitments to conduct the studies and pay the fees required for reregistration, and are meeting those commitments in a timely manner.

Sodium chlorite is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance for residues when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as a seed-soak treatment in the growing of the raw agricultural commodities crop group Brassica (cole) leafy vegetables and radishes.