Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet Common Name: SODIUM AZIDE Synonyms: Azide; Azium; Smite® CAS Number: 26628-22-8 Chemical Name: Sodium Azide RTK Substance Number: 1684 Date: October 1998 Revision: April 2008 DOT Number: UN 1687 Description and Use EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE BACK PAGE Sodium Azide is a colorless to white, odorless, crystalline Hazard Summary solid. It is highly soluble in water which may result in the vapor Hazard Rating NJDOH NFPA of Hydrazoic Acid being present where Sodium Azide is handled. It is used in making chemicals, as a preservative in HEALTH 3 - diagnostic medicines and blood tests, as a herbicide, fungicide FLAMMABILITY 1 - and soil fumigant, and is the propellant used for inflating REACTIVITY 3 - automobile air bags. MUTAGEN REACTIVE Reasons for Citation POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE f Sodium Azide is on the Right to Know Hazardous CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE Substance List because it is cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, DO NOT USE WATER DEP, IRIS and EPA. f This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; List. 4=severe f Sodium Azide can affect you when inhaled and by passing through the skin. f Because this is a MUTAGEN, handle it as a possible carcinogen--WITH EXTREME CAUTION. SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5. f Contact can irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible loss of vision. FIRST AID f Inhaling Sodium Azide can irritate the nose and throat. Eye Contact f Inhaling Sodium Azide can irritate the lungs. Higher f Immediately flush with large amounts of cool water for at exposure may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs least 15 minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. contact lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical f Exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting and a attention immediately. rapid fall in blood pressure with dizziness. f Sodium Azide can affect the nervous system. Skin Contact f Sodium Azide is REACTIVE and a DANGEROUS f Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash EXPLOSION HAZARD. contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Inhalation f Remove the person from exposure. Workplace Exposure Limits f Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 3 breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. 0.3 mg/m , which should not be exceeded at any f Transfer promptly to a medical facility. time. f Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is 0.1 ppm (as Hydrazoic Acid), which should not be exceeded at any time. EMERGENCY NUMBERS 3 Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222 ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.29 mg/m , which should not be exceeded at any time. CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 0.11 ppm (as National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 Hydrazoic Acid vapor), which should not be exceeded at any time. SODIUM AZIDE Page 2 of 6 Workplace Exposure Limits (con’t) Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at f Sodium Azide is a MUTAGEN. Mutagens may have a some time after exposure to Sodium Azide and can last for cancer risk. All contact with this chemical should be reduced months or years: to the lowest possible level. f The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin Cancer Hazard contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though f Sodium Azide causes MUTATIONS (genetic changes). air levels are less than the limits listed above. Such chemicals may have a cancer risk. f Many scientists believe there is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen. Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard f Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data f While Sodium Azide has been tested, further testing is Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product required to assess its potential to cause reproductive harm. ingredients and important safety and health information about the product mixture. Other Effects f For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New f Sodium Azide can affect the nervous system causing Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact muscle weakness, dizziness, anxiety, tremor, collapse and even death. Sheet, available on the RTK website f Sodium Azide can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure (www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb) or in your facility’s RTK may cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, Central File or Hazard Communication Standard file. and/or shortness of breath. f You have a right to this information under the New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act, the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act Medical if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the Medical Testing federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or are a private worker. greater), the following are recommended before beginning f The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most work and at regular times after that: employers to label chemicals in the workplace and f Lung function tests requires public employers to provide their employees with information concerning chemical hazards and controls. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 following are recommended: CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide f Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure similar information and training to their employees. f Exam of the eyes and vision f Exam of the nervous system This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential damage already done are not a substitute for controlling effects described below. exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee Health Hazard Information Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020). Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur Mixed Exposures immediately or shortly after exposure to Sodium Azide: f Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen f Contact can irritate and burn the skin with redness and respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if blisters. you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce f Sodium Azide can irritate and burn the eyes with possible your risk of developing health problems. loss of vision. f Inhaling Sodium Azide can irritate the nose and throat. f Inhaling Sodium Azide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposure may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. f Exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting and a rapid fall in blood pressure with dizziness. SODIUM AZIDE Page 3 of 6 Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or f Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less with fumes, gases, or vapors. toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures f Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances. irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust f Do not wear contact lenses when working with this ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single substance. exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Respiratory Protection workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, The following work practices are also recommended: requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory f Label process containers. f Provide employees with hazard information and training. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). f Monitor airborne chemical concentrations. f Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed f For field applications check with your supervisor and your recommended exposure levels. safety equipment supplier regarding the appropriate f Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. respiratory equipment. 3 f Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous f Where the potential exists for exposure over 0.29 mg/m , material. use a NIOSH approved full facepiece air-purifying, f Always wash at the end of the workshift. particulate filter respirator with an N95 filter. Even greater f Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes protection is provided by a powered-air purifying respirator. contaminated. f Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or f Do not take contaminated clothing home. cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect f Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. Sodium Azide, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal f Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation being handled, processed or stored.