Sodium chlorite

PBT assessment

PBT assessment: overall result

Reference

Name:

Sodium chlorite

Type of composition:

boundary composition of the substance

State / form:

solid: bulk

Reference substance:

Sodium chlorite

PBT status:

the substance is not PBT / vPvB

Justification:

Persistence assessment

The assessed substance decomposes rapidly indicating that the substance is not a P/vP. Sodium chlorite is a strong oxidizing agent and under proper reducing conditions is readily reduced to chloride, and to a lesser extent, chlorate. Irradiation of sodium chlorite solutions indicated a photodegradation half-life of about 30 minutes with a steady increase in pH (pH 8 to 12.6) and major products identified as hydroxide, chlorine dioxide and chloride with chlorate and hypochlorite as minor products and trace amounts of chlorine.

Conclusion of P / vP assessment

The available half-life data indicate that the assessed substance is not a P.

Bioaccumulation assessment

Screening criteria

The Log Kow for the assessed substance is <= 4.5 indicating that the substance is not a B / vB.

Conclusion of B / vB assessment

Sodium chlorite is highly water soluble with an extremely low Log Pow. There is therefore no concern for potential bioaccumulation from either chlorine dioxide or chlorite.

Toxicity assessment

Sodium Chlorite is classify as acute oral tox 3, acute dermal tox 2, skin corrosive 1B, eye damage 1, STOT Rep Exp 2, acute aquatic 1 and chronic aquatic 3.