Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
Sodium
Overview
Elemental sodium is an odorless silver-white metal solid that reacts violently
with water, acids and oxygenated compounds. Sodium can ignite spontaneously in moist
air or dry air above 239 F. It is highly corrosive
to eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Water and conventional ABC fire
extinguishers can intensify a fire involving sodium and should never be
used.
Emergency Procedures
Skin/Eye Contact: Brush
off any visible solids. Rinse with copious amounts of water
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention as needed. Thoroughly
clean clothing before reuse.
Ingestion:
Will react immediately with saliva to cause serious burns and possible local combustion and even explosion of hydrogen in the mouth or esophagus. Do not induce vomiting. Drink 2-3 glasses of water and seek medical
attention immediately.
Inhalation:
Not a likely route of exposure. Move to fresh air immediately. Do not administer mouth to mouth resuscitation. Seek medical attention immediately
Fire: Use
Class D extinguisher such as Met-L-X or smother the fire
with dry sand. Do not use water, carbon dioxide or halogenated
extinguishing agents.
Spill: Control
all sources of ignition. Wearing personal protective equipment,
cover the spill with sand. Scoop spilled materials with spark-resistant
tools and place in a container for disposal. DO NOT USE WATER
or combustible materials, such as saw dust.
Handling
Wear safety glasses, impervious gloves and a fire-retardant laboratory
coat.
Control ignition sources and avoid dust formation. Avoid contact with
water or moisture. Keep a supply of dry sand available in the
work area and ensure there is a Class D extinguisher immediately available.
When large quantities of sodium will be used, work under an
inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon, in a fume hood or glove box. Avoid
contact with water or moisture.
Sodium is incompatible with oxygen, carbon dioxide, halogens and halogenated solvents, alcohols, oxidizing
agents, hydrated salts, acids and a wide variety of other materials. Sodium reacts violently
on contact with powerful oxidizers and water.
Do not grind sodium or heat it. Upon contact with water, acids
or alcohols, sodium produces an exothermic reaction involving release
of
flammable hydrogen gas. Hydrogen production also occurs in the presence of dry air above 239 F.
Storage
Keep element under moisture- free toluene, kerosene and/or dry inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool dry place, separate from
combustible materials.
Disposal
Store wastes in tightly sealed containers under toluene or kerosene. Dispose as hazardous
waste.
For More Information
See MSDS for sodium from Mallinckrodt Baker.
 Section
10: Chemical Specific Information
|
