Material Safety Data Sheet: Food Grade Soda Ash

Identification

Name: Soda Ash, Food Grade
Chemical Name: Sodium Carbonate
Synonyms: Washing Soda, Soda Crystal, Sal Soda
Chemical Formula: Na₂CO₃
CAS Number: 497-19-8
Recommended Use: Used as acidity regulator, bakery additive, cleaning agent, pH adjustment in food processing
Manufacturer/Supplier: Listed on package or product documentation, traceable for food safety compliance
Contact Information: Emergency and non-emergency numbers available from packaging, shipping documents, procurement records
Emergency Phone Number: Refer to local poison control or supplier-specific emergency support lines
Reference Number: Specified on supplier documentation for batch traceability

Hazard Identification

Hazard Class: Not classified as hazardous under GHS for normal handling and use in food processing
Physical State: White powder, granules, or crystalline solid
Main Hazards: May cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract upon direct prolonged contact; dust can provoke coughing or throat discomfort
Signal Word: None required under GHS
Pictogram: No symbol needed for food grade material
Routes of Exposure: Eyes, skin, inhalation, ingestion (non-toxic at food grade concentrations)
Potential Health Effects: Eyes: Redness, tearing, discomfort; Skin: Dryness, mild irritation; Inhalation: Sneezing, coughing; Ingestion: Essentially non-toxic at typical food use rates
Precautionary Statements: Reduce dust generation, avoid contact with eyes, wash exposed skin, use good hygiene in food handling

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Substance: Sodium Carbonate
Content: Typically >99% pure Na₂CO₃, manufactured and packaged under food safety standards
Impurities: Less than 1%, may include water, sodium bicarbonate, trace sodium chloride depending on refining process
Additives: No additives or anti-caking agents allowed in food grade soda ash
Allergens: None typical in pure product; consult supplier specification for unexpected contaminants

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with clean water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open, remove contact lenses if easy to do, seek prompt medical attention for ongoing irritation
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash exposed skin with soap and water, cover irritated area if rash or discomfort develops, seek medical care for severe reaction
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, support breathing, rinse mouth, seek medical assistance for persistent coughing or difficulty breathing
Ingestion: Rinse mouth out, drink water if conscious, do not induce vomiting, contact medical help if large amount is swallowed or discomfort occurs
Advice for Physician: Symptomatic treatment only; soda ash is not acutely toxic in food grade forms

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Non-flammable, does not ignite or support combustion
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use extinguishing agents suitable for surrounding fire, water spray, foam, dry chemical, or CO₂
Specific Hazards in Fire: Soda ash does not release toxic fumes under normal fire conditions; heating may cause decomposition to sodium oxide and carbon dioxide at very high temperatures
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing if exposed to bulk product in confined area
Special Recommendations: Move product away from heat if possible, avoid inhaling dust from bulk spills during fire suppression

Accidental Release Measures

Spill Response: Avoid breathing dust, ventilate area, stop leak at source if safe to do so
Cleanup Methods: Sweep or vacuum up product, place in labeled dust-tight containers, use non-sparking tools if electrical ignition sources are present
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large spills from entering sewers or surface waters, use absorbent inert material for wet spills
Personal Protective Equipment: Wear dust mask, safety glasses, gloves, eye protection depending on size and nature of spill
Disposal: See disposal considerations section for safe handling and compliance

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling Tips: Handle minimizes dust creation, use tools and equipment free from oil or grease if used around food processing, train staff on food safety hygiene
Storage Conditions: Store in original, sealed, food-grade containers away from moisture, strong acids, or incompatible materials
Compatibility: Incompatible with acids (forms carbon dioxide), keep away from ammonium salts and strong oxidizers
Personal Hygiene: Wash hands before eating, after handling, keep food preparation areas clean
Bulk Storage Considerations: Keep storage area dry, ventilated, protect from rodents/pests

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 15 mg/m³ (total dust), 5 mg/m³ (respirable fraction), ACGIH TLV: Not established for food grade
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, closed feed handling, dust collectors in packaging or blending zones
Personal Protection: Use protective gloves, dust-proof goggles, and apron during large-scale handling; use appropriate respirator for prolonged exposure to dust
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before meals, avoid touching face or eyes after handling powder
Environmental Controls: Minimize release into air or drains, comply with local regulations

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White, granular powder or crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 105.99 g/mol
Melting Point: 851°C (sublimes at higher temperature)
Boiling Point: Decomposes on heating
Solubility: Soluble in water (22 g/100 mL at 20°C), insoluble in alcohol
pH (1% Solution): Weakly alkaline; pH ~11
Density: 2.54 g/cm³ (solid form)
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Other Properties: Non-combustible, stable under normal conditions, cohesive in presence of moisture

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures, does not readily decompose unless heated strongly
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to strong acids, prolonged storage in humid environments
Incompatible Materials: Avoid mixing with acids, ammonium salts, aluminum, and magnesium
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Produces carbon dioxide gas with acids, may evolve sodium oxide with intense heat
Polymerization: Will not occur

Toxicological Information

Acute Oral Toxicity: LD₅₀ (oral/rat): 4090 mg/kg; low toxicity in humans at typical food use concentrations
Inhalation Toxicity: Short-term exposure may cause coughing or mild respiratory tract irritation
Skin and Eye Irritation: May cause drying, redness, discomfort upon direct contact, especially in sensitive individuals
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or reproductive toxicity in humans or animals under normal handling
Allergenicity: Not a known allergen, does not contain proteins or sensitizers
Medical Conditions Aggravated: Pre-existing eye, skin, or respiratory conditions could experience greater irritation

Ecological Information

Environmental Impact: Large spills alter pH of water bodies, potentially affecting aquatic life
Mobility: Easily dissolves and disperses in water, low potential for bioaccumulation
Degradability: Reacts with carbon dioxide in air or water to form naturally occurring sodium compounds
Ecotoxicity: Generally non-toxic at low concentrations, but high levels are harmful to aquatic organisms
Persistence: Soda ash is inorganic, breaks down into constituent ions
Precautions: Avoid disposal in areas where water pH could be significantly raised

Disposal Considerations

Waste Disposal: Dispose in accordance with local, regional, or national regulations; food-grade material may be acceptable at authorized landfill, sewer, or composting sites depending on quantity
Unused Product: If possible, use in food processing or distribute through food system; otherwise, dispose as non-hazardous
Used Packaging: Rinse, recycle, or dispose of packaging as per food safety and environmental policies
Precautions: Never dispose directly to rivers, lakes, or environments sensitive to pH shifts
Consult: Local waste management authority for large-scale disposals and spill responses

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport of food grade product
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous; routine food shipment rules apply
Packing Group: Not assigned
Labelling: Follow standard food shipment labeling and documentation
Special Precautions: Ship in dry, sealed containers, protect from rain, avoid mixing during shipment with incompatible materials such as acids or ammonium compounds
Regulatory Requirements: Food grade certification, sanitary inspection may be required

Regulatory Information

Food Grade Standard: Certified under Codex Alimentarius, FDA, EU regulations or equivalent local standards for food additives
Labeling Requirements: Must display product identity, lot/batch number, net weight, purity, and manufacturer details on all packaging
OSHA Status: Not regulated as a hazardous chemical when handled as food
TSCA, DSL Status: Listed and approved for all standard uses
International Requirements: Accepted for international food trade; product should be accompanied by certificate of analysis
Worker Training: Food safety, personal hygiene, and proper handling techniques required under food laws
Documentation: All shipments must have traceable documentation per local laws and global food safety standards