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Chemical Datasheet

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 7681-52-9
  • 10022-70-5   (pentahydrate)
  • 1791
  • Corrosive
  • SHP
  • SHC
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (SOLUTION, ACTIVE CHLORINE <10%)
  • SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (SOLUTION, ACTIVE CHLORINE >10%)
NFPA 704
data unavailable
General Description
Colorless or slightly yellow watery liquid with an odor of household bleach. Mixes with water. (USCG, 1999)

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble. Decomposes into chlorine and oxygen gases in hot water.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Store in a cool, dark place, away from combustible materials. Emits chlorine gas when burned.

Behavior in Fire: May decompose, generating irritating chlorine gas. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
INHALATION: Will produce severe bronchial irritation and pulmonary edema. INGESTION: burning of mouth, nausea and vomiting, delirium, coma. EYES & SKIN: can be irritating if contact is maintained. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
Salts of hypochlorous acid, HClO. Generally toxic, irritants and powerful oxidizers, particularly in the presence of water or at higher temperature as they decompose to release oxygen and chlorine gases. On contact with urea they form the highly explosive NCl3. When heated or on contact with acids, they produce highly toxic fumes of chlorine gas [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 1905]. Can react with sulfuric acid to produce heat and chlorine gas.
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 154 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)]:

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
Fire Extinguishing Agents Not to Be Used: Amines and oxidizable material such as oxalic acid. May produce explosive chloroamines with amines.

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Chemical, CO2, foam, or water in flooding quantities. (USCG, 1999)
Non-Fire Response
Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Sodium disulfite; hypo isulfite. (USCG, 1999)
Protective Clothing
Rubber gloves, goggles, self-contained breathing apparatus, plastic coveralls and boots. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Sodium hypochlorite (15%) 7681-52-9 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >480
Sodium hypochlorite (5.25-6%) 7681-52-9 Liquid >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2023)

First Aid
INHALATION: Sips of milk or other demulcent.

EYES: Flush with plenty of water for 15 minutes.

SKIN: Wash contaminated area with soap and water.

INGESTION: Induce vomiting, give water. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • NaClO (aqueous)
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: 1.093 for 5% solution (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: 74.44 (USCG, 1999)
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 hypochlorite (7681-52-9) 2 mg/m3 290 mg/m3 1800 mg/m3
Sodium hypochlorite pentahydrate (10022-70-5) 13 mg/m3 140 mg/m3 290 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

Regulatory Information

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Sodium hypochlorite 10022-70-5 100 pounds
Sodium hypochlorite 7681-52-9 100 pounds

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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