SODIUM NITRITE SOLUTION

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Potential health effects

Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled. Overexposure by inhalation or ingestion may cause reduced oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Causes skin and eye irritation. of overexposure to the product by skin or eye contact may include skin irritation with discomfort or rash; or eye irritation with discomfort, tearing, or blurring of vision. Sodium nitrite has been infrequently associated with skin sensitization in humans. By inhalation, irritation of the upper respiratory passages with coughing may occur. By inhalation or ingestion, the effects may include low blood pressure with headache and fainting, or nonspecific discomfort such as nausea or weakness. Overexposure may also cause methemoglobinemia (reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood) with cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin), possibly progressing to dizziness, incoordination, shortness of breath, increased pulse rate, and loss of consciousness. Sodium nitrite can also react with certain amines forming compounds which may cause cancer, mutations, or other toxicity. These compounds, known as nitrosamines, can be formed in acidic environments such as that found in the stomach. Since many medications and chemicals contain an amine group, simultaneous exposure to nitrites should be avoided. Carcinogenicity Information None of the components present in this material at concentrations equal to or