When the evolution of nitrogen oxides is over, the acidic solution is tested with starch-iodide paper; if it turns blue, it means that excess nitrite is present and decomposition is complete. The reaction mixture is then presumably safe enough to be washed down the drain. However, you should treat any chemical as a hazardous waste as though they are not, so it should be poured into a hazardous waste container instead. Note that the solution must be neutralized with dilute NaOH solution to pH prior to disposal.
All personnel involved in deactivating sodium azide shall conduct inspections, maintenance, or other activities to ensure that the process does not result in spills, leaks, or emissions into the environment prior to deactivation of the material. Sink disposal of solutions of azide compounds that have not been deactivated should be avoided whenever possible.
If some does get down the drain, please flush copious amounts of water to avoid accumulation of explosive deposits. Let the spot plate be gently heated. If the mixture turns red, it is an indication of the presence of hydrazoic acid, which means that sodium azide is in the solution. If you swallow or inhale NaN3, seek medical attention immediately; medical emergency is needed with severe shortness of breath. The Laboratory Temporary Shutdown Checklist is a tool to help your lab close down for an extended absence e.
Search for:. Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Therefore, all contact with this substance should be minimized. Sodium azide and hydrazoic acid HN3, which is formed from NaN3 in water are known to causehypotension low blood pressure in animals and humans, and it forms strong complexes withhemoglobin, which ultimately blocks oxygen transport in the blood.
In order to minimize the risk of explosions or other harmful incidents from improper sodium azide disposal, handling or storage, educating personnel is at the top of the list in terms of prevention measures. In addition to causing harm during an explosion, people who are exposed to sodium azide in other ways can suffer some nasty symptoms.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , being exposed a small amount of the compound by breathing it in, absorbing it through the skin, or ingesting it can lead to the following:. Sodium azide is a dangerous chemical and, in turn, must be handled and treated with caution. Give us a call at or click here to email us to get started. Previous Next. Following release of sodium azide into the air, you could be exposed by breathing in the dust or the gas that is formed.
Sodium azide can also enter the body and cause symptoms through skin contact. An explosion involving sodium azide may cause burn injury as well as expose people to the toxic gas, hydrozoic acid.
How sodium azide works The seriousness of poisoning caused by sodium azide depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the person exposed.
Breathing the gas that is formed from sodium azide causes the most harm, but ingesting swallowing sodium azide can be toxic as well. The gas formed from sodium azide is most dangerous in enclosed places where the gas will be trapped. The toxic gas quickly disperses in open spaces, making it less harmful outdoors. The gas formed from sodium azide is less dense lighter than air, so it will rise.
Sodium azide prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen. When this happens, the cells die. Sodium azide is more harmful to the heart and the brain than to other organs, because the heart and the brain use a lot of oxygen. Immediate signs and symptoms of sodium azide exposure People exposed to a small amount of sodium azide by breathing it, absorbing it through their skin, or eating foods that contain it may have some or all of the following symptoms within minutes: Clear drainage from the nose gas or dust exposure Cough gas or dust exposure Dizziness Headache Nausea and vomiting Rapid breathing Rapid heart rate Red eyes gas or dust exposure Restlessness Weakness Skin burns and blisters explosion or direct skin contact Exposure to a large amount of sodium azide by any route may cause these other health effects as well: Convulsions Low blood pressure Loss of consciousness Lung injury Respiratory failure leading to death Slow heart rate Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to sodium azide.
What the long-term health effects may be Survivors of serious sodium azide poisoning may have heart and brain damage. How people can protect themselves and what they should do if they are exposed to sodium azide First, get fresh air by leaving the area where the sodium azide was released. Moving to an area with fresh air is a good way to reduce the possibility of death from exposure to sodium azide. If the sodium azide release was outside, move away from the area where the sodium azide was released.
If the sodium azide release was indoors, get out of the building. If leaving the area that was exposed to sodium azide is not an option, stay as low to the ground as possible, because sodium azide fumes rise. If you think you may have been exposed to sodium azide, you should remove your clothing, rapidly wash your entire body with soap and water, and get medical care as quickly as possible.
Removing your clothing: Quickly take off clothing that may have sodium azide on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head. If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible.
Washing yourself: As quickly as possible, wash any sodium azide from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.
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