Product Name: Sodium Hydroxymethanesulphonate
Chemical Formula: CH3NaO4S
CAS Number: 870-72-4
Recommended Use: Chemical intermediate, reducing agent, used in textile and water treatment industries
Manufacturer: Refer to product label for supplier and manufacturer contact details
Emergency Contact: Refer to product label or local emergency telephone number
Synonyms: Sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, Rongalite
UN Number: 2811 (when transported as a hazardous material)
GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Oral), Category 4; Eye irritation, Category 2A; Skin irritation, Category 2
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed; Causes skin irritation; Causes serious eye irritation
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, use personal protective equipment as required, do not eat or drink when using the product
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation of dust or mist may cause respiratory irritation; prolonged exposure may lead to skin dryness or cracking; eye contact causes redness and pain
Environmental Hazards: May be harmful to aquatic life in large quantities, avoid discharge into the environment
Substance: Sodium Hydroxymethanesulphonate
Component: Sodium Hydroxymethanesulphonate
Chemical Percentage: 98-100% by weight
Impurities: Small quantities of inorganic salts or water (<2%)
Relevant Exposure Limits: Not established for the compound itself, consult local regulations for guidance
CAS Number: 870-72-4
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air, keep at rest and comfortable, seek medical attention if symptoms continue
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin immediately with plenty of water, use soap if available, seek medical attention for irritation or rash
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, obtain medical attention if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water, do not induce vomiting, seek medical advice immediately, never administer anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Most Important Symptoms: Redness, pain, swelling, nausea, coughing, difficulty breathing
Notes to Physician: Provide symptomatic treatment, monitor for delayed effects especially after large exposures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Extinguishing Media Not to Use: Avoid strong water jets as they may spread the material
Special Hazards: Thermal decomposition releases toxic gases including sulfur oxides, formaldehyde, and sodium oxides
Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear
Advice for Firefighters: Remain upwind, prevent run-off from entering drains or water courses, use caution as containers may rupture due to heat
Personal Precautions: Use protective clothing, avoid breathing dust, ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Avoid contamination of soil and water, prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so
Methods for Clean-Up: Sweep up and place in suitable containers for disposal, use damp methods to avoid dust generation
Decontamination: Wash area with large amounts of water once material is collected
Disposal: Dispose contaminated materials in accordance with local regulations
Precautions for Safe Handling: Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin and eyes, wear personal protective equipment—gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing
Advice on General Hygiene: Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling the product, always wash hands and exposed skin after handling
Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, in original tightly closed containers
Incompatible Materials: Keep away from acids, oxidizing agents, and strong bases
Shelf Life: Store away from direct sunlight and moisture; monitor condition of packaging
Professional Exposure Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, eyewash stations, and safety showers where material is handled
Respiratory Protection: Wear suitable respirator in areas with dust or inadequate ventilation, especially in processing or transfer operations
Hand Protection: Nitrile or neoprene gloves recommended, inspect regularly for tears or wear
Eye Protection: Tightly fitting safety goggles or face shields
Skin and Body Protection: Wear laboratory coats or chemical-resistant clothing
Exposure Limits: Not assigned for this compound; follow good industrial hygiene practice
General Protection Measures: Use only in accordance with safe work practice, avoid generation and inhalation of dust
Form: Solid, crystalline powder
Color: White to off-white
Odor: Faint, characteristic
Odor Threshold: Not determined
Melting Point: Decomposes before melting, at approximately 170°C
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Solubility: Soluble in water, forms clear solution
pH (1% solution): 7.0–9.0
Density: 1.6–1.8 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not available
Flash Point: Not flammable under typical conditions
Explosive Properties: Does not present explosive hazard, may react with strong oxidizers
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid excessive heat, moisture, contact with acids or oxidizers
Incompatible Substances: Acids, strong oxidizing agents, strong bases may cause hazardous reactions
Hazardous Decomposition: Heating to decomposition releases formaldehyde, sulfur oxides, sodium oxides
Reactivity Notes: May react with acid to release sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde gases
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Harmful if swallowed; low fatal oral dose reported in laboratory animals
Skin and Eye Contact: Causes irritation to skin and serious irritation to eyes
Inhalation Effects: Dust may irritate nose, throat, respiratory tract
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis; repeated inhalation exposure may increase respiratory symptoms
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by NTP, IARC, or OSHA as carcinogen
Other Health Hazards: Sensitization unlikely based on animal data, but handle with care
Symptoms of Exposure: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, redness and swelling of skin or eyes
Ecotoxicity: Data indicates low to moderate toxicity to aquatic organisms; large releases may result in oxygen depletion in water bodies
Persistence and Degradability: Readily biodegradable in water; does not accumulate in the environment, breaks down to sulfate, formaldehyde, and sodium ions
Bioaccumulation Potential: Not expected to bioaccumulate due to high water solubility
Mobility in Soil: High solubility leads to high mobility; may result in leaching through soil if released in bulk
Other Adverse Effects: Avoid large discharges to sewer or waterways; report environmental spillages to local authorities
Waste Disposal Methods: Collect and contain waste in suitable, labelled containers; dispose via certified chemical waste contractor
Do Not: Allow to enter drainage system, surface water, or soil in significant amounts
Packaging Disposal: Rinse empty containers with plenty of water, puncture to prevent reuse, dispose in compliance with local and national regulations
Legal Requirements: Comply with local, regional, and national regulations on hazardous waste disposal including transportation documentation
Recycling Statement: Not recommended for recycling if contaminated with chemical residues
UN Number: 2811
Proper Shipping Name: Toxic solid, organic, n.o.s. (Sodium Hydroxymethanesulphonate)
Transport Hazard Class: 6.1 (Toxic substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels Required: Toxic (skull and crossbones pictogram)
Special Precautions: Avoid direct contact during loading and unloading, ensure containers are intact and properly labelled
Environmental Hazards: Not classified as a marine pollutant
Transport Guidelines: Follow local and international regulations for transport of hazardous materials
OSHA: Classified as hazardous, requires communication of hazards under Hazard Communication Standard
TSCA Inventory: Listed
EU REACH Registration: Substance registered; consult ECHA database for authorization status
WHMIS (Canada): Categorized as toxic material
Labelling Requirements: Comply with GHS labelling, including hazard statements and precautionary pictograms
SARA 313: Not listed as a reportable substance
Other Applicable Regulations: Follow all regional and national chemical safety regulations during manufacture, use, transfer and disposal; ensure Safety Data Sheet is available to end-users and emergency responders
