Material Safety Data Sheet: Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate

Identification

Product Name: Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate
Chemical Formula: Na₂CO₃·10H₂O
Synonyms: Soda crystals, Washing soda
CAS Number: 6132-02-1
Recommended Uses: Water softener, cleaning agent, pH adjustment in pools, textile processing
Company Contact Information: Reach out to local supplier or distributor for emergency and general inquiries
Emergency Telephone: Refer to local regulatory numbers for quick response

Hazard Identification

Classification: Eye irritation (Category 2A), not classified as hazardous for skin or inhalation
Signal Word: Warning
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation; can irritate respiratory tract if inhaled as dust
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective eyewear, avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after handling, seek medical help for eye contact or inhalation problems

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate
Purity: More than 95%
Other Constituents: Small traces of sodium bicarbonate and impurities linked to the source material
Molecular Weight: 286.14 g/mol

First Aid Measures

Eye Contact: Flush eyes continuously with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy; get medical attention for redness or vision changes
Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin with mild soap and water; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical advice if irritation develops
Inhalation: Move to an area with fresh air; provide oxygen or artificial respiration if needed; consult healthcare providers for lingering symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing
Ingestion: Rinse mouth thoroughly; give small sips of water; never try to give liquid to an unconscious person; call poison control or doctor for further guidance

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or water spray; the compound itself does not burn but may release toxic fumes on decomposition
Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Hazards Arising from Substance: Emits sodium oxide and carbon dioxide under extreme fire conditions
Special Precautions: Cool containers with water spray to keep from bursting due to steam pressure

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Keep people away from the spilled area unless wearing proper protection; avoid inhaling dust
Spill Cleanup Methods: Scoop or sweep up spill and transfer to a dry, labeled container; use water spray for dust suppression; ventilate area well
Environmental Precautions: Prevent product from entering drains or surface water to avoid pH changes in aquatic systems

Handling and Storage

Handling: Handle with appropriate PPE including goggles and gloves; avoid generating dust; use only in well-ventilated areas; minimize shaking of the container
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place; avoid contact with acids and moisture to maintain product stability; keep away from incompatible substances such as ammonium salts and aluminum

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: No specific regulatory exposure limits established; use general dust exposure guidelines for nuisance particulates (10 mg/m³ total dust, 5 mg/m³ respirable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Ensure effective local exhaust ventilation at points of dust generation; provide eyewash stations near handling areas
Personal Protection Equipment: Use safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, dust mask or respirator approved for particulates, lab coats or coveralls
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling, before eating or drinking; remove and launder contaminated clothing before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White, odorless crystalline powder or granules
Odor: Odorless
pH (1% solution): 11.5
Melting Point: Decomposes at 32°C, releasing water of crystallization
Solubility: Readily soluble in water
Density: 1.46 g/cm³
Boiling Point: Not applicable; decomposes before boiling
Vapor Pressure: Not volatile
Flash Point: Not flammable
Other Properties: Loses water on heating to become anhydrous sodium carbonate

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Chemically stable under normal conditions; hygroscopic so attracts moisture from air
Reactivity: Reacts with acids to release carbon dioxide gas; incompatible with aluminum, acids, and ammonium salts
Hazardous Decomposition: Sodium oxide, carbon oxide gases on heating
Polymerization: Will not occur

Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation of dust, eye and skin contact, accidental ingestion
Acute Health Effects: Eye irritation, mild skin irritation; coughing or sneezing from dust exposure
Oral Toxicity: LD50 (rat, oral): approximately 4,090 mg/kg
Chronic Health Effects: Prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis; chronic exposure to high dust levels can cause respiratory discomfort
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, OSHA, or NTP

Ecological Information

Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Can cause moderate short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates and fish due to elevated pH
Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic compound, fully dissociates in water; does not bioaccumulate
Mobility in Soil: Highly soluble, may move rapidly through soil, affecting local water pH
Other Adverse Effects: Significant releases may tip local ecosystems to higher alkalinity, impacting sensitive aquatic organisms

Disposal Considerations

Waste Management: Dispose via landfill or incineration according to local, state, and federal regulations; avoid release into waterways; large volumes may require neutralization prior to disposal
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before recycling or dispose of as chemical waste according to legal requirements

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as a hazardous material
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate
Hazard Class: Not classified as dangerous goods
Packing Group: None
Special Precautions: Secure packaging to prevent leaks or dust emission; avoid contact with incompatible materials in transit

Regulatory Information

Safety, Health, and Environmental Regulations: Subject to workplace safety regulations regarding dust exposure; not listed on major chemical control inventories as hazardous; complies with REACH and TSCA requirements
Labeling Requirements: Product labels should clearly display hazard warnings, PPE requirements, emergency phone numbers, and safe handling instructions according to GHS