Product Name: Sodium Hypochlorite
Chemical Formula: NaOCl
Synonyms: Liquid bleach, Chlorine bleach, Hypochlorous acid sodium salt
Recommended Use: Disinfectant, bleaching agent, water treatment, cleaning agent
Supplier: Industrial chemical manufacturers, janitorial supply distributors, water treatment service providers
Contact Details: Emergency phone number readily available from suppliers or local poison control
Hazard Class: Corrosive to skin and eyes
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may cause respiratory irritation, harmful if swallowed
Pictograms: Corrosive, Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye and face protection; avoid breathing vapors or mist; wash hands thoroughly after handling; keep away from incompatible substances like acids; store locked up and in labeled containers only
Chemical Name: Sodium Hypochlorite
Concentration: 3%–15% solution in water (household bleach at lower end, industrial grade higher)
CAS Number: 7681-52-9
Other Components: Water, trace salts, low levels of sodium chloride and sodium hydroxide
Inhalation: Remove individual to fresh air, seek medical attention for persistent respiratory symptoms
Skin Contact: Immediately remove contaminated clothing, rinse skin thoroughly with water, use mild soap, consult a doctor for burns
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, medical advice required for persistent pain
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical help, never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person
Note to Physician: Treat symptomatically, monitor respiratory function; secondary complications such as chemical pneumonitis may occur after ingestion or inhalation
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Do not use dry chemical on large spills as chemical reaction can generate toxic gases
Hazardous Combustion Products: Chlorine gas, hydrogen chloride, oxygen
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn; on heating, decomposes and may release toxic fumes
Protective Equipment: Use self-contained breathing apparatus, complete skin and eye protection recommended for firefighters
Firefighting Instructions: Evacuate area, approach from upwind, prevent runoff from fire control from entering waterways
Personal Precautions: Use chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, boots, and suitable apron; ventilate area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into sewers and waterways; containment measures advised for large spills
Cleanup Methods: Absorb with inert material (sand, earth), collect with non-sparking tools, place in appropriate chemical waste container, rinse contaminated area with water to dilute residues
Decontamination: Rinse cleanup equipment and tools with large amounts of water
Safe Handling: Avoid direct contact with product; keep container sealed when not in use; prevent inhalation and splashes
Storage Conditions: Store away from direct sunlight, acids, ammonia, organic materials, reducing agents, both oxidizers and combustible materials; avoid high temperatures
Container Requirements: Use corrosion-resistant, tightly sealed, clearly labeled containers
Incompatibilities: Acidic compounds, ammonia, organic materials—it can react violently to generate toxic gas and heat
Special Provisions: Install spill containment, use secondary containment and maintain eye-wash stations and emergency showers nearby
Engineering Controls: Provide local exhaust ventilation or general room ventilation to reduce vapor concentrations
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical safety goggles or face shield, rubber or nitrile gloves, impervious apron, chemical-resistant boots
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator for high concentrations or splashing situations, or if exposure limits are exceeded
Exposure Limits: There are no established OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits specifically for sodium hypochlorite, but avoid exceeding workplace exposure limits for chlorine gas (PEL: 1 ppm as ceiling)
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands after handling, remove contaminated clothing and equipment before leaving the work area, avoid eating or smoking during use
Appearance: Clear to slightly yellow-green liquid
Odor: Strong chlorine-like scent
Odor Threshold: Recognizable at low parts-per-million
pH: 10–13 (alkaline)
Melting/Freezing Point: Below 0°C (decomposes at high concentrations before freezing point)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Flash Point: Not flammable
Upper/Lower Flammability Limits: Not applicable
Vapor Pressure: Approximately 15 mm Hg at 20°C (concentrated solutions)
Vapor Density: Heavier than air
Solubility: Miscible in water
Specific Gravity: 1.1–1.2 (varies with concentration)
Decomposition Temperature: Below 120°C (releases oxygen, chlorine gas)
Chemical Stability: Unstable as a concentrate, strength slowly declines over weeks or months, decomposes faster when exposed to light or heat
Reactivity: Vigorous reaction with acids (chlorine gas produced), reacts with many metals and organic substances
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Chlorine gas, oxygen, sodium chloride
Conditions to Avoid: Sunlight, heat, freezing, contamination with incompatible chemicals
Polymerization: Does not occur
Incompatible Materials: Acids, ammonia, amines, organic materials, reducing agents, some metals (iron, copper, nickel catalysts)
Routes of Exposure: Skin, eye contact, inhalation, ingestion
Acute Effects: Severe irritation or burns to eyes and skin; difficulty breathing, coughing after inhalation; abdominal pain or vomiting after ingestion
Chronic Effects: Prolonged skin contact may cause dermatitis or ulceration; no known carcinogenicity with normal exposure
LD50 (Oral Rat): Estimated 8200 mg/kg for 5%–6% solution
Symptoms of Exposure: Redness, swelling, chemical burns, eye irritation, coughing, pulmonary edema
Medical Conditions Aggravated: Asthma, chronic respiratory conditions, skin disorders
Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic organisms even at low concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Degrades rapidly with sunlight and in organic material presence, forming salt and water
Bioaccumulation Potential: Does not accumulate in living organisms
Mobility in Soil: Moves easily with water, high solubility
Other Hazards: Toxic to algae, invertebrates, and fish; disrupts aquatic habitats, can bleach colored surfaces and vegetation
Disposal Methods: Do not pour concentrated solution down the drain unless greatly diluted and legal; neutralize with sodium thiosulfate or sodium bisulfite before disposal; consult local wastewater standards and environmental regulations
Container Handling: Triple-rinse empty containers, puncture and deliver to approved waste site
Regulatory Requirements: Comply with local, regional, and national hazardous waste disposal regulations to avoid environmental harm and legal penalties
UN Number: UN 1791
Proper Shipping Name: Hypochlorite solutions
Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Corrosive (black and white)
Environmental Hazards: Classified as a marine pollutant, special precautions needed during shipment
Transport Precautions: Secure tightly, keep upright, avoid heat and direct sun, transport in original containers away from food or incompatible chemicals
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: Sodium hypochlorite is regulated as a hazardous material
EPA: Registered for drinking water and surface disinfection; listed under Clean Water Act for hazardous substances
SARA Title III Sections 311/312: Acute health hazard reported
Labeling Requirements: Must bear correct hazard pictograms, signal word, and PPE directions
TSCA: Listed on Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
Other Regional/Local Regulations: Specific requirements may vary by state or province regarding reporting, storage, and environmental discharge controls
