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Chemical Datasheet

SODIUM PEROXIDE

5.1 - Oxidizer

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 1313-60-6
  • 1504
  • Oxidizer
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • SODIUM PEROXIDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
0
3 1
ox
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 0 Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special OX Possesses oxidizing properties.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A yellow-white to yellow granular solid. Mixtures with combustible material are readily ignited by friction, heat, or contact with moisture. May vigorously decompose under prolonged exposure to heat, causing the rupture of the containers.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Reacts vigorously with water, large amounts react explosively [Haz. Chem. Data 1969. p. 201].
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 144 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). React vigorously and/or explosively with water. Produce toxic and/or corrosive substances on contact with water. Flammable/toxic gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars. Some may produce flammable hydrogen gas upon contact with metals. Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 144 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

TOXIC; inhalation or contact with vapor, substance, or decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
SODIUM PEROXIDE reacts violently with reducing agents, combustible materials and light metals. Reacts exothermically and rapidly or even explosively with water to form a strong base (NaOH) and oxygen (O2) [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 854]. A mixture with ammonium persulfate can explode if subjected to friction (crushing in a mortar), if heated, or if a stream of gaseous carbon dioxide is passed over it [Mellor 10:464 1946-47]. Reacts very vigorously with gaseous hydrogen sulfide; even in the absence of air, the reaction may be accompanied by flame [Mellor 10:132 1946-47]. An explosion results when gaseous carbon dioxide is passed over a mixture of sodium peroxide with powdered magnesium [Mellor 2:490 1946-47]. Mixtures with acetic acid or acetic anhydride can explode if not kept cold [Von Schwartz 1918 p. 321]. Spontaneously flammable in contact with aniline, benzene, diethyl ether, or organic materials such as paper and wood. Mixtures with charcoal, glycerine, certain oils, and phosphorus burn or explode [Mellor 2:490 1946-47]. A mixture with calcium carbide (powdered) burst into flame when exposed to damp air and exploded when heated [Mellor 2:490 1946-47]. Decomposes, often violently in the presence of catalytic quantities of manganese dioxide [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:635 1961]. Mixing with sulfur monochloride leads to a violent reaction [Mellor 2 Supp. 2:634 1961]. Can react with and cause the ignition of fuels.
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 144 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.

SPILL: Increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 144 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

DO NOT USE WATER OR FOAM.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash or lime.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime or withdraw from area and let fire burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 144 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. DO NOT GET WATER on spilled substance or inside containers.

SMALL SPILL: Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain.

LARGE SPILL: DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 144 [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer when there is NO RISK OF FIRE. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from 144 Polymerizable warning [Oxidizers (Water-Reactive)]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; wash face and mouth before giving artificial respiration. Use a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • Na2O2
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: data unavailable

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Sodium peroxide (1313-60-6) 0.5 mg/m3 5 mg/m3 50 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

No regulatory information available.

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

No regulatory information available.

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names