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Chemical Datasheet

SODIUM SULFIDE, ANHYDROUS

4.2 - Spontaneously combustible

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 1313-82-2
  • 1385
  • Spontaneously Combustible
  • SDS
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
none
  • SODIUM SULFIDE (ANHYDROUS)
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
1
3 1
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 1 Must be preheated before ignition can occur.
Yellow Instability 1 Normally stable but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
Sodium sulfide, anhydrous is a yellow to brick red crystalline mass or fused solid with an odor of rotten eggs. If exposed to moist air it is liable to spontaneous heating and may cause ignition of nearby combustible material. It absorbs moisture from the air.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Aqueous solutions of sodium sulfide when exposed to air slowly convert to sodium hydroxide and sodium thiosulfate. The crystalline form upon exposure to air forms hydrogen sulfide and sodium carbonate [Merck 11th ed. 1989].
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Irritating sulfur dioxide is produced in fire. (USCG, 1999)
Health Hazard
Caustic action on skin and eyes. If ingested may liberate hydrogen sulfide in stomach. (USCG, 1999)
Reactivity Profile
SODIUM SULFIDE is a white to yellow crystalline material, flammable. Can explode on rapid heating or when shocked. Violent reaction with carbon, charcoal, diazonium salts, N,N-dichloromethylamine, strong oxidizers, water. On contact with acids it liberates highly toxic and flammable hydrogen sulfide gas. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of sodium oxide, and oxides of sulfur [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 1729].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

No information available.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from 135 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Spontaneously 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
Excerpt from 135 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

DO NOT USE WATER, CO2 OR FOAM ON MATERIAL ITSELF. Some of these materials may react violently with water. CAUTION: For Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite) UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, USE FLOODING AMOUNTS OF WATER for SMALL AND LARGE fires to stop the reaction. Smothering will not work for these materials, they do not need air to burn.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime or DRY sand, EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342.

LARGE FIRE: DRY sand, dry chemical, soda ash or lime EXCEPT for UN1384, UN1923, UN1929 and UN3342, or withdraw from area and let fire burn. CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors. 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. Do not get water inside containers or in contact with substance. 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 135 Polymerizable warning [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk.

SMALL SPILL: CAUTION: For spills of Xanthates, UN3342 and for Dithionite (Hydrosulfite/Hydrosulphite), UN1384, UN1923 and UN1929, dissolve in 5 parts water and collect for proper disposal. CAUTION: UN3342 when flooded with water will continue to evolve flammable Carbon disulfide/Carbon disulphide vapors. Cover with DRY earth, DRY sand or other non-combustible material followed with plastic sheet to minimize spreading or contact with rain. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect material and place it into loosely covered plastic containers for later disposal. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Goggles or face shield. (USCG, 1999)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Disodium sulfide (60% (slurry)) 1313-82-2 Liquid >480 >480 >480 >480 >480 >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
INGESTION: give water; induce vomiting; call a doctor.

SKIN OR EYE CONTACT: wash with water for at least 15 min. (USCG, 1999)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • Na2S
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: 1.856 at 68°F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: Very high (USCG, 1999)
Molecular Weight: 78.4 (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 sulfide (1313-82-2) 0.62 mg/m3 6.9 mg/m3 41 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