Material Safety Data Sheet: Sodium Bicarbonate

Identification

Product Name: Sodium Bicarbonate
Chemical Formula: NaHCO₃
Synonyms: Baking Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
CAS Number: 144-55-8
Use: Food additive, pharmaceutical excipient, cleaning agent, pH buffer, fire extinguisher component
Manufacturer/Supplier: Listed by distributor or producer, typically found on packaging
Emergency Telephone: Contact information as required by law or source

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not considered hazardous by OSHA hazard communication standards
Risk Phrases: May cause mild eye or respiratory irritation with large exposures
Label Pictograms: None required
Hazard Statements: Dust in significant quantities can irritate eyes, respiratory passages or skin
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, prevent contact with eyes and skin, and use in ventilated area

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical: Sodium Bicarbonate
Concentration: 99-100% by weight
Impurities: Traces of sodium carbonate or sodium chloride may be present
Additional Information: No hazardous stabilizers or additives known in food or industrial grade formats

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air, seek medical advice if symptoms persist
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water, hold eyelids open, remove contact lenses if present
Skin Contact: Wash with plenty of water and soap, consult doctor if irritation develops
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water to dilute, do not induce vomiting, medical attention for persistent symptoms
Most Important Symptoms: Mild irritation to eyes, skin, or respiratory tract

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use material itself for fire suppression if appropriate
Unsuitable Media: None noted for this compound
Hazards from Combustion: Non-flammable; releases carbon dioxide when heated above decomposition temperature
Advice for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for fire situations; approach upwind
Special Procedures: Use standard fire-fighting measures, as sodium bicarbonate suppresses flames as a fire retardant

Accidental Release Measures

Spill Response: Minimize dust generation, sweep or shovel into suitable closed container
Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, gloves, and safety glasses
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large quantities from entering waterways by physical barriers
Methods for Cleanup: Vacuum or wet methods preferred for dusty conditions to avoid inhalation
Reference to Other Sections: Proper waste management, exposure controls, and personal protection information provided below

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands after handling, maintain cleanliness in work area
Technical Measures: Use local exhaust where dust is generated, store in sealed containers
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry place, away from acids, moisture, and incompatible materials
Materials to Avoid: Strong acids (reacts to release CO₂), strong bases can form sodium carbonate
Incompatible Storage: Do not store with strong oxidizers or acidic substances

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Nuisance dust, limits vary by jurisdiction (usually 10 mg/m³ total dust)
Engineering Controls: Use adequate ventilation, local exhaust as needed
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety eyewear, gloves for prolonged contact, dust mask or respirator during high dust operations
Hygiene Measures: Do not eat, drink, or smoke around material; wash thoroughly before breaks and at end of shift
Environmental Exposure Controls: Prevent excessive discharge into drains or waterways

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH (1% Solution): 8.2-8.6
Melting/Freezing Point: Decomposes above 60°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Flammability: Non-flammable
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
Solubility in Water: 7-9 g/100 mL at 20°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Density: ~2.2 g/cm³
Viscosity: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling
Reactivity: Reacts with acids to emit carbon dioxide, releases sodium carbonate with strong bases
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, acidic conditions, excessive heat
Incompatible Materials: Acids, strong oxidizers, ammonium salts
Decomposition Products: Carbon dioxide, sodium carbonate, water vapor upon thermal decomposition

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) > 4,200 mg/kg
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, eye contact
Irritation: May produce slight irritation to eyes, skin, mucous membranes
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may dehydrate skin or mucosa
Sensitization: Not known to cause sensitization
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: Not classified as hazardous, no evidence of carcinogenic or reproductive effects

Ecological Information

Eco-toxicity: Low aquatic toxicity, slight risk of pH alteration in large discharges
Mobility in Soil: Readily soluble, washes through soil quickly
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic salt breakdown, no persistence
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not likely to bioaccumulate
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid dumping large quantities to water bodies to prevent sudden pH increase

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose according to local, regional, and national regulations
Industrial Waste: Landfill or dilute and flush to drain with large amounts of water if permitted
Household Waste: Use up in normal applications, rinse packaging before recycling or disposal
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into watercourses in large amounts
Container Disposal: Clean empty containers thoroughly before discarding or recycling

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated under UN transport rules
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Bicarbonate
Hazard Class: Not hazardous for transportation
Packing Group: Not assigned
Labels Required: None
Special Precautions: Keep dry during shipment to prevent clumping or caking
Environmental Hazards: Not a marine pollutant

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Not classified as hazardous material
TSCA: Listed in US Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
REACH Status: Registered and compliant within the EU
DSL/NDSL (Canada): Present
Other International Regulations: Approved for food use in most jurisdictions, commonly listed as E500 in food additives
State Regulations: Not listed under California Proposition 65
Other Standards: Follow specific workplace requirements and allowable levels for dust exposure