Sodium chlorate

Guidance on Safe Use

First-aid measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air and let subject blow  nose. Give oxygen or artificial respiration if needed. Seek medical care immediately if toxic symptoms occur.

Skin contact: Wash off immediately with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove and rinse contaminated clothing immediately with water. If irritation persists, get medical attention.

Eye contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water, also under the eyelids for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists get medical attention.

Ingestion: Rinse out the mouth and immediately drink a few glasses of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Do not induce vomiting! Give oxygen or artificial respiration if needed. Seek hospital treatment.

Notes to Medical staff: Risk of methaemoglobinemia. Not to be treated with methylthionin.

Fire-fighting measures

Extinguishing media:  

- Extinguish fire with large amounts of water.

Unsuitable extinguishing media:

- Do not use powder, foam or CO2-type extinguishers!

- Do not smother the fire with a blanket!

Special exposure hazards:

- Contact with combustible material may cause fire.

- Burning produces noxious and toxic fumes.

- A fire can cause explosion when sodium chlorate is present.

- A confined container with sodium chlorate can explode if heated above the decomposition temperature (>250°C).

- Containers near heat sources must-be removed immediately or cooled with water.

Special protective equipment for fire-fighters:

- Evacuate personnel to safe areas.

- In the event of fire, wear self-contained breathing apparatus.

- When intervention in close proximity wear acid resistant over suit.

- Clean contaminated surface thoroughly.

Other information:

- Evacuate personnel to safe areas.

- Keep product and empty container away from heat and sources of ignition.

- Cool containers / tanks with water spray.

- Control the use of water due to environmental risk.

- Depending on wind direction, warn people of the danger of intoxication, close doors and windows,

and switch off the ventilation.

Accidental release measures

Environmental cleanup procedures:

- Dam with sand or similar and collect in a plastic or metal container for disposal.  

- Do not use sawdust, peat, bark or other combustible materials.

- Flush with large amounts of water.

- Contact experts in case of large spillages.

- Notify appropriate authorities.

- Waste on the ground must be collected.

- Solutions should not be drained into sewage systems.

Personal precautions:

- Personal protective equipment is necessary when taking care of a large spillage.

- Sources of ignition must be kept away.

- Keep away from incompatible products.

Handling and storage

Handling

Technical measures:

- Use only inert lubricants and packings for pumps, valves and other equipment when handling chlorate or chlorate solution.

- Exchange lubricants at regular intervals.

Safe handling advice:

- Do not eat , drink, or smoke when handling the product.

- Electrical supply and distribution points are to be cleaned periodically from dust.

- Avoid contact with the incompatible materials given below (incompatible products).

- Keep containers closed when not in use.

- Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

- Keep away from heat and sources of ignition.

Precautions for safe handling:

- Chlorates should be handled so as to avoid the scattering of dust.

- Any operation that may cause dust should be ventilated with a suction fan.

- The dust should be collected and disposed of carefully.

Storage

Storage conditions:

- Store in a cool, dry and fireproof area away from sources of heat and ignition, including friction and impact.

- Keep away from food and beverages.

- Store in original container.

- Provide aspiration of dust at source with filtration or washing with water.

- Provide electrical earthing and waterproof equipment.

- Provide an anti-corrosion protected electrical equipment in a bunded area.

Big bags:

- Store on gravel or crushed stone. Avoid storing in an asphalt-paved area.

- The separation between stacks should be at least 8 - 10 m.

- Maintain a safe distance from buildings.

Bulk:

- Store in permanent bins of non-combustible construction.

- Store separately from all other materials.

Safe packaging materials:

- Use UN-approved metal drums or plastic lined bags. Do not reuse big bags.

Materials to avoid

-Sodium chlorate should be stored separate from organic substances, strong acids, phosphorus, sulphur, sulphides, powdered metals, ammonium salts.

Transport information

Land transport (UN RTDG/ADR/RID)

UN number:

1495

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

SODIUM CHLORATE

Chemical name:

sodium chlorate

Language:

English

Labels:

OXIDIZER

Special provisions / remarks

Special provisions:

Carriage and containers must be cleaned thoroughly before loading, especially all combustible debris (straws, hay, paper etc.) must be disposed of. Use of combustible materials for supporting packages is prohibited.

Remarks:

Risk code: 50

Inland waterway transport (UN RTDG/ADN(R))

UN number:

1495

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

SODIUM CHLORATE

Chemical name:

sodium chlorate

Language:

English

Labels:

OXIDIZER

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

UN number:

1495

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

SODIUM CHLORATE

Chemical name:

sodium chlorate

Labels:

OXIDIZER

Marine pollutant

Special provisions / remarks

Remarks:

Mark: MP

Air transport (UN RTDG/ICAO/IATA)

UN number:

1495

Shipping information

Proper shipping name and description:

SODIUM CHLORATE

Chemical name:

sodium chlorate

Labels:

OXIDIZER

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Respiratory protection:

- Local mechanical ventilation.

- Respiratory dust filter in dusty atmosphere.

- NO SMOKING!

- High concentrations or prolonged activity:

Respirator with a particle filter

Half mask

Filter P1 – particulate protection to 4xOEL

Filter P2 – particulate protection to 10xOEL

Filter P3 – particulate protection to 20xOEL

Filter B2-P3 - Combination inorganic gas/particulate filter.

EN143 – EN standard for particulate filters

EN136 – EN standard for Full facepiece respirators

EN137 – EN standard for Self-contained open circuit compressed air breathing apparatus.

Hand protection:

- Splash contact, intermittent and prolonged

- Butyl Rubber/PVC/Neoprene gloves, Do NOT use leather or natural rubber (reaction possible)

- Glove thickness: 1.2 - 1.4 mm

Permeability tests are not available for this product. If changes are detected in used gloves, discard them immediately.

Skin protection:

- Gloves, boots, apron of plastic or rubber or protective clothing.

- Materials should be incombustible

- Working clothes should be washed daily in water-based laundry systems.

- Immediately change clothes in any case of contamination of chlorate!

Precaution measures:

- Emergency showers or bathtubs filled with water must be available.

- Impregnated material must be taken care of so that there is no risk of uncontrolled fire.

Eye protection:

- EN 166 Goggles giving complete protection to the eyes.

- Eyewash bottle with pure water.

Stability and reactivity

Hazardous decomposition:

- Sodium chlorate is a strong oxidizing agent and decomposes when heated above 250°C.

- During decomposition sodium chloride and oxygen are formed.

Conditions to avoid:

- High temperatures.

- Sunlight.

Materials to avoid:

- Mixtures with organic material are highly inflammable.

- Explosions can occur when mixed with combustible materials and subjected to addition of energy e.g. friction or impact.

- Textiles, cellulose or leather contaminated with chlorate ignite easily.

- Strong acids react violently with chlorates producing toxic and explosive gases, e.g. chlorine and chlorine dioxide.

Disposal considerations

Product disposal:

- Sodium chlorate is not to be thrown on landfill or in watercourses.

- Reduce the product with sulfite, pyrosulfite or alkaline thiosulfate.

- Collect in plastic or metal containers.

- Consult appropriate local authorities to ascertain proper disposal procedure.

- Contact supplier if technical assistance is needed.

Packaging disposal:

- Remove residues before disposal.

- If recycling is not practicable, dispose of in compliance with local regulations.