Sodium Azide
Chemical Name: CAS #:
Hazard Classification:
Location Used: Principal Investigator:
Processes for Which Chemical Is Used:
HAZARDS AND PROTECTION
Hazard Information
• Acute oral and dermal toxicity
• Organ Toxicity
Routes of Exposure
• Ingestion ● Skin Absorption
• Inhalation
• Eye absorption
If exposed by:
• Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. Do not use
mouth to mouth; give artificial respiration
through pocket mask, one-way valve or other
respiratory medical device
• Ingestion: Fatal if swallowed. Do not induce
vomiting.
• Eye or skin: Fatal in contact with skin. Rinse
with plenty of water for 15 minutes.
If exposed by any route, seek immediate medical
attention.
Symptoms of Exposure
• Exposure can be fatal.
• May cause headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Prolonged exposure can cause brain damage.
• May cause eye, skin and respiratory tract
irritation
Exposure Limits
All exposure limits are Time Weighted Averages
(average exposure over an eight-hour day) unless
otherwise indicated.
OSHA PEL: None indicated
ACGIH TLV: 0.11 ppm (0.29 mg/m3
) ceiling
NIOSH REL: 0.1 ppm (0.3 mg/m3
) ceiling
Engineering Controls
• Chemical Fume Hood Never open sodium azide outside of a chemical fume
hood.
Administrative Controls
• Designated area sign
• Particularly hazardous substance label
• Post designated area sign before each use.
• Label containers of sodium azide as a health
hazard.
• Use as small a quantity as possible.
Sodium azide 26628-22-8
Health Hazard
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY EHS
LABORATORY CHEMICAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
CS-008 Last Reviewed July 8, 2019
• Do not use metal scoops with sodium azide.
Use scoops made from other materials.
Personal Protective Equipment
• Gloves
• Safety glasses (for dry chemical) or splash
goggles (for solutions)
• Lab coat
• Tyvek sleeves (for amounts exceeding 5
grams).
Two pairs of nitrile gloves must be worn when
handling sodium azide. Wash hands immediately after
use. Splash goggles must be worn when working with
solutions of sodium azide greater than 1%.
OTHER SAFETY INFORMATION
Transportation Follow guidance given in the laboratory safety manual
for transport of chemicals.
Storage
• Not not store in metal containers or in metal
cabinets.
• Can be stored with other dry chemicals but in
a dedicated section for toxic chemicals.
• Keep away from heat and open flames.
Incompatible materials include:
Benzoyl chloride, potassium hydroxide, bromine,
carbon disulfide, chromyl chloride, copper,
dibromalonitrile, dimethyl sulfate, lead, barium
carbonate, acids (especially sulfuric and nitric), metals,
metal salts, water.
Spill/Accident Procedures
For all spills:
• Wear two pairs of nitrile gloves, safety glasses
and lab coat
• Evacuate the immediate area
Exposure:
• If anyone exposed requires emergency
medical attention, dial 911 (or 9-911 from
landline).
• Follow procedures outlined in laboratory
safety manual.
Small spills (less than 10 g in a hood): Cover spills of
dry chemical with sand. Sweep contents into a nonmetal container collection by EHS. If the spill is liquids,
cover with absorbent material and then place the
absorbent materials in a non-metal container for
collection by EHS. Clean area with soap and water
once spill is removed.
Large spills (greater than 10 g in a hood or any
amount outside a fume hood): If the spill is in a
chemical fume hood, contact the EHS director (864-
710-2933). If he cannot be reached (does not answer
phone, do not leave voicemail), then call 911, pull the
fire alarm and exit the building. If the spill is outside of
a hood, then call 911, pull the fire alarm and exit the
building.
Waste Disposal Waste sodium azide must be collected for disposal.
Empty bottles of sodium azide must be collected by
EHS. DO NOT rinse them! Do not throw them in the
trash!
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY EHS
LABORATORY CHEMICAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
CS-008 Last Reviewed July 8, 201