Potassium Nitrite Product Stewardship Summary December 2012

KNO2

Chemical Name: Potassium nitrite Chemical Category (if applicable): Inorganic salt Synonyms: Nitrous acid, potassium salt; CAS Number: 7758-09-0 CAS Name: Potassium nitrite EC (EINECS) Number: 231-832-4 Other identifier (Please specify): GPS0078

 Potassium nitrite, KNO2, is a hygroscopic white-to-yellow solid powder used in the manufacture of heat transfer salts and fertilizers, in bromine recovery, tungsten dissolution, and other chemical processes. KNO2 is used in washing with hot potash to remove carbon dioxide from gas streams. It is used to produce yellow pigments and drugs, food additives and preservatives. KNO2 is also used as a toothpaste additive and as an agent in food processing.

 The primary risks of worker exposure to KNO2 are dermal contact and/or inhaling its aerosol during its production, transport, processing, storage and use. Field exposure to workers is possible during use as a fertilizer. The risk is considered minimal because exposures to KNO3 are controlled with process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, general dilution ventilation, and use of personal protective equipment. Although there are no occupational exposure limits established specifically for KNO2, safe work practices are followed to reduce or prevent exposure. Please refer to the MSDS for additional information. Consumers have potential to be exposed to low levels of KNO2, but the risk of detrimental effects is considered low when appropriate safety precautions of the manufacturer are followed.

 KNO2 is not combustible, but it is a strong oxidant and can react with combustible and reducing materials generating fire and explosion hazard. Fire will give off irritating or toxic fumes (gases). KNO2 decomposes on contact with even weak acids producing toxic fumes and nitrogen oxides. It is incompatible with acids, aluminum, amines, chlorates, finely powdered metals, hydrazine, permanganates, boron, amides, hypophosphites, sulfites, carbon, ammonium salts, iodides, mercury salts, and cyanides.

 KNO2 is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. It can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol or by ingestion. Ingestion can cause a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin is produced, as well as producing cardiovascular effects. The effects may be delayed. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, increased heart rate, and a fall in blood pressure. Long-term effects from repeated exposures to KNO2 may result in damage to the liver and kidneys.

This product stewardship summary is intended to give general information about the chemical or categories of chemicals addressed. It is not intended to provide an in-depth discussion of all health and safety information. Additional information on the chemical is available through the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet which should be consulted before use of the chemical. The product stewardship summary does not supplant or replace required regulatory and/or legal communication documents. Statements concerning use of our products are made without warranty that any such use is free of patent infringement and are not recommendations to infringe any patent.

 KNO2 may cause maternal and fetal toxicity after long-term or repeated exposures based on experimental animal study results with sodium nitrite (a similar substance to KNO2). In these studies, sodium nitrite caused both maternal and fetal toxicity in pregnant animals, but it did not increase the incidences of malformations in offspring.

 KNO2 is suspected to have mutagenic activity based on positive results of in vitro assays using microorganisms and cultured mammalian cells exposed to sodium nitrite (a similar substance to KNO2). In vivo tests of sodium nitrite produced equivocal mutagenic activity.

 The cancer risk for KNO2 is considered low.

 KNO2 is very soluble in water. It is not expected to bioaccumulate because it is a salt that will completely dissociate into its ions in aqueous and terrestrial environments. Under anaerobic conditions, the nitrite ion is chemically and biologically degradable. Nitrites can have indirect and long-term effects on ecosystems, resulting in eutrophication. Nitrites are readily absorbed by terrestrial plants and may accumulate in plant tissue. KNO2 is toxic to aquatic organisms (e.g., fish, invertebrates and algae).

 Please contact us for more information. Additional information may also be found at the following links: IPCS INCHEM – Potassium Nitrite, ICSC: 1069 IPCS INCHEM – Nitrates and Nitrites, Poisons Information Monograph G016 NJ Depart. Health & Senior Services, Hazardous Substances Fact Sheet - Potassium Nitrite WHO Food Additives Series: 50, Nitrite

Version 1.0 Current Issue Date: December 2012 DocumentPage Number: 2 of 2 GPS0078 Page 2 of 2