Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate

Identification

Product Name: Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
Other Names: Baking Soda, Sodium Bicarbonate
Chemical Formula: NaHCO₃
CAS Number: 144-55-8
Recommended Use: Cooking, cleaning, antacid, pH buffer, fire extinguisher
Supplier Details: Often listed with address, email, and emergency contact phone numbers

Hazard Identification

Classification: Generally recognized as safe for most uses, presents low risk in standard applications
GHS Labeling: Not classified as hazardous by OSHA or GHS guidelines
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, ingestion
Immediate Health Effects: May cause eye irritation, mild skin dryness, mild throat irritation if inhaled as dust
Long-Term Health Risks: Frequent or excessive exposure can dry skin, rarely can aggravate existing respiratory problems with chronic inhalation of dust

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
Synonyms: Sodium Bicarbonate, Bicarbonate of Soda
Concentration: 100%
Impurities: Trace amounts of compounds related to production, usually kept under 0.1%, not considered significant for safe use

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently with plenty of water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do
Skin Contact: Rinse with water, wash thoroughly, apply moisturizer for dryness
Inhalation: Move to fresh air, rest in a position comfortable for breathing, seek medical advice for persistent coughing
Ingestion: Drink water, rinse mouth, medical attention recommended for large amounts or persistent discomfort, risk of alkalosis with extreme overconsumption

Fire-Fighting Measures

Flammability: Not flammable
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Special Protective Equipment: Standard firefighting gear for surrounding fire
Hazardous Combustion Byproducts: May produce sodium oxide, carbon dioxide
Unusual Hazards: Can release carbon dioxide under strong heating, contributing to pressure build-up in enclosed areas, otherwise stable and safe as a fire-suppressant for grease and electrical fires

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Protection: Use dust mask and gloves, goggles for large spills
Environmental Precautions: Avoid releasing large quantities to water or soil
Cleanup Methods: Sweep up and place in a suitable container, avoid creating excessive dust, rinse with water as needed
Disposal: Follow local waste disposal guidelines, compatible with landfill or wastewater systems in most communities

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use with adequate ventilation, avoid generating dust, launder clothing after handling large quantities
Storage Conditions: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from moisture, acids and strong oxidizing agents
Incompatibilities: Keep away from acids to avoid carbon dioxide gas formation, avoid long exposure to moisture which may clump material
Specific Precautions: Limit access to food preparation areas when using industrial quantities

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: Not established for sodium hydrogen carbonate by OSHA or ACGIH, considered low hazard
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation for dust control, maintain general workplace cleanliness
Personal Protection Equipment: Safety goggles for eye protection, gloves for sensitive skin, N95 mask if working in dusty conditions, standard workplace clothing
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after use, avoid eating or drinking during handling, change out of contaminated clothing

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: Decomposes at about 50°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable, decomposes on heating
Solubility: Soluble in water
pH: Slightly alkaline (8.3 at 0.1M solution)
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
Density: About 2.2 g/cm³
Molecular Weight: 84.01 g/mol
Other Properties: Not combustible, stable under normal conditions, does not polymerize

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures
Reactivity: Releases carbon dioxide on contact with acids
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, strong bases, some oxidizers
Decomposition Products: Sodium carbonate, water, carbon dioxide
Hazardous Reactions: Rapid release of carbon dioxide can cause pressurization in sealed containers if mixed with acids or heated strongly

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity, very high oral doses may cause nausea, vomiting, alkalosis
Skin Contact: Non-sensitizing, may cause mild dryness
Eye Contact: Mild irritation possible with high exposure to dust
Inhalation: Mild respiratory irritation at high dust concentrations, no known chronic health hazards with typical use
Ingestion: Safe at dietary or antacid dosages, adverse effects with chronic misuse or large quantities include metabolic alkalosis, electrolyte imbalances
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Reproductive Effects: No known risks at typical exposure levels

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Low toxicity to aquatic and terrestrial life
Mobility: Dissolves in water, mobile in soils with runoff
Persistence: Breaks down naturally in environment to sodium and carbonate ions
Bioaccumulation: Does not accumulate in organisms
Other Environmental Impact: High concentrations can alter pH of water bodies, affecting sensitive aquatic organisms, generally safe in household concentrations

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Household quantities can go down the drain with plenty of water, larger amounts may go to municipal landfill
Product Disposal: Dilution recommended to safeguard against pH changes in water
Container Disposal: Rinse and recycle or dispose as per local regulations
Environmental Precautions: Prevent uncontrolled releases in hydrothermal or aquatic environments

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated for transport
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Special Precautions: Keep containers dry during transit, avoid contact with acids and moisture
Regulatory Status: No restrictions for land, sea, or air movement under standard shipping regulations

Regulatory Information

Global Inventories: Listed on major chemical inventories such as TSCA, EINECS, DSL
OSHA Regulations: Not hazardous under OSHA criteria
SARA Title III: Not subject to reporting under Sections 302, 304, 313
California Proposition 65: Not listed
Other Regulatory Information: Approved as food additive and pharmaceutical excipient in most jurisdictions, local workplace safety rules may require hazard communication for large-scale use