Product Identification

Product Name

Sodium bisulfide

Synonyms

Sodium bisulfide
Sodium mercaptan
Sodium mercaptide
Sodium sulfanide
Sodium sulfhydrate

CAS

16721-80-5

Formula

HNaS

Molecular Weight

56.06

EINECS

240-778-0

RTECS

WE1900000

RTECS Class

Mutagen

Merck

12,8730

Beilstein/Gmelin

19160 (G)

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance

Yellow-pink or white crystals, flakes or lumps.

Solubility in water

Soluble

Melting Point

350

Vapor Pressure

49 (25 C)

Density

1.79 g/cm3

Usage

Prodn of heavy water for nuclear reactors.

Odor threshold

0.0047 ppm

First Aid Measures

Ingestion

Hydrogen sulfide is a gas at room temperature (harbison, 1998), making ingestion unlikely.

Ingestion

Nausea and vomiting may be noted. Weight loss can be seen with chronic exposure.

Inhalation

Respiratory depression, cyanosis, pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and dyspnea may be noted following exposure to non-fatal concentrations.

Inhalation

Immediately move patient to fresh air and administer 100 percent oxygen. Prevent self-exposure and possible death by wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus to rescue the victim.

Skin

Remove contaminated clothing and wash exposed area thoroughly with soap and water. A physician should examine the area if irritation or pain persists.

Skin

Skin exposure may result in severe pain, itching, and erythema, especially in moist areas. Cyanosis may be noted following severe exposure.

Eyes

See Skin.

Eyes

In case of contact with substance, immediately flush with running water for at least 20 minutes.

Handling and Storage

Storage

Keep containers tightly closed in a well ventilated area away from food products. Keep away from heat and water. Store at temperatures above 63 degrees F.

Handling

All chemicals should be considered hazardous. Avoid direct physical contact. Use appropriate, approved safety equipment. Untrained individuals should not handle this chemical or its container. Handling should occur in a chemical fume hood.

Hazards Identification

Inhalation

Respiratory depression, cyanosis, pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and dyspnea may be noted following exposure to non-fatal concentrations.

Skin

Skin exposure may result in severe pain, itching, and erythema, especially in moist areas. Cyanosis may be noted following severe exposure.

Eyes

See Skin.

Ingestion

Nausea and vomiting may be noted. Weight loss can be seen with chronic exposure.

Hazards

Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated.

UN (DOT)

2922

UN (DOT)

2923, 2949

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Personal Protection

Rubber protective equipment, such as apron, boots, splash-proof goggles, gloves; canister-type respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus.

Respirators

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Exposure Effects

Patients may acutely present with low heart rate, rapid heart rate, hyperventilation, respiratory depression even to the point of apnea, and/or hypo-/elevated blood pressure. Asphyxial seizures, coma, and death associated with rapid respiratory paralysis may be noted following exposure to high concentrations. Headache, sweating, vertigo, anosmia, irritability, staggering gait, disorientation, somnolence, weakness, confusion, and delirium may be noted following exposure to non-fatal levels. Spontaneous abortions have occurred after exposure to life-threatening concentrations.

Poison Class

2

Fire Fighting Measures

Flash Point

90

Fire Fighting

Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Use water in flooding quantities as fog. Apply water from as far a distance as possible.

Fire Potential

Flammable/combustible material.

Accidental Release Measures

Small spills/leaks

Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Cover solids with a plastic sheet to prevent dissolving in rain or fire fighting water. Water spill: Add soda ash (Na2CO3). Allow to aerate. Use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates.

Stability and Reactivity

Incompatibilities

Reacts with acids rapidly and exothermically to release hydrogen sulfide Reacts violently with diazonium salts.

Stability

Readily hydrolyzed in moist air to sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide.

Decomposition

Decomposes to hydrogen sulfide and free alkali. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of sulfoxides and na2o.

Combustion Products

Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes.

Transport Information

UN Number

2922

UN Number

2923, 2949

Hazard Class

8

Packing Group

I

Packing Group

I; II; III