Sodium Chlorate

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

For more detailed information on the hazards of this product, contact Chemical Safety and Health Department or Medical Services Department at the address
below. Technical Information Bulletin may also be available.

1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Brand Name............................................ Sodium chlorate
Chemical Name ...................................... Sodium chlorate
Common Name....................................... Sodium chlorate
Formula .................................................. NaClO3
Molecular Weight................................... 106.44
Product Use ............................................ Non-selective herbicide; raw material in
the manufacture
................................................................ of chlorine dioxide; oxidizing agent in chemical manufacture.
Canadian PIN ......................................... 1495
MANUFACTURER

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER

Tronox
123 Robert S. Kerr Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102
United States

1-866-775-5009 (24 hours)

2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
CHEMICAL NAME
Sodium Chlorate

CAS NUMBER
7775-09-9

WEIGHT %
99.5

See Section 15 for OSHA Regulatory Status.

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Odorless, white granular solid; soluble in water. Harmful if swallowed. May be irritating to the
respiratory system if inhaled, or to eyes or skin in case of contact.
DANGER! Strong oxidizer. Contact with other materials such as paper, wood, hydrocarbons, petroleum
products, and clothing may cause fire or explosion. Can produce shock-sensitive mixtures. Thermally
unstable at elevated temperatures.
In case of a spill, wear full protective equipment (See Section 8).
Will not burn in a fire, but may cause combustible materials to ignite; it will accelerate the burning of
other materials and increase the fire hazard. In case of a fire, use water only. Use flooding amounts for a
large fire.

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POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

PRIMARY ROUTE(S) OF ENTRY
Inhalation (breathing); eye and skin contact; ingestion (swallowing).
SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE
Inhalation:

Irritation or burning in the respiratory tract; coughing and sneezing.

Eye Contact:

Itching or mild irritation.

Skin Contact:

Itching or mild irritation; prolonged and repeated contact may cause dermatitis

Ingestion:

The primary target organ in humans is blood; effects include hemolysis and methemoglobinemiacarboxyhemoglobinemia. Ingesting large quantities can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and
diarrhea, possibly with dark blood, cyanosis (blue lips, tongue, mucous membranes, with slate
gray skin color), possibly progressing to headache, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, seizures, or
coma. Large doses can cause kidney or liver damage, and may be fatal.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE

Breathing or respiratory disorders, digestive tract, kidney and blood disorders could be aggravated by exposure to
this chemical.
REPORTED AS CARCINOGEN OR POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN
X Not Applicable
National Toxicology Program (NTP)

OSHA
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Inhalation:

If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, clear airway and start mouth-to-mouth
artificial respiration or use a bag-mask respirator. Get immediate medical attention. If
victim is having trouble breathing, transport to medical care and, if available, give
supplemental oxygen.

Eye contact:

Immediately rinse eyes with water. Remove any contact lenses, and continue flushing eyes with
running water for at least 15 minutes. Hold eyelids apart to ensure rinsing of the entire surface of
the eye and lids with water. Get immediate medical attention.

Skin Contact:

Wash affected areas with plenty of water, and soap if available, for several minutes. Remove and
clean contaminated clothing and shoes. Seek medical attention if irritation develops or persists.

Ingestion:

Immediately give 3-4 glasses of water, and induce vomiting. Give fluids until vomitus is clear.
Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious person of convulsing
person. Get immediate medical attention.

NOTE TO PHYSICIAN
Chemical of exposure is sodium chlorate, a strong oxidizer and methemoglobin former. Cyanosis, resistant to
oxygen therapy, may be noted within several hours following inhalation or ingestion. Large doses can affect the
kidneys, liver, and central nervous system, and may be fatal (see Section 11 for toxicological data).

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5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

Flash Point and Method

N/A

GENERAL HAZARD
This product is not flammable, but may cause combustible materials to ignite; it will accelerate the burning of
these materials and increase the fire hazard. Thermally unstable under fire conditions; may undergo a violent
decomposition.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
Use water only. For small fires, do not use CO2 or dry chemical. For large fires, use flooding quantities of water
as fog or spray applied from a distance. For a massive fire in a storage area use an unmanned hose holder or
monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from the area and let the fire burn.
SPECIAL FIREFIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS
Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. DO NOT attempt to fight a large fire unless
you are a trained fire fighter. Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition
products. Cool fire-exposed containers with water spray until well after fire is out. Extinguish fire using agent
suitable for surrounding fire.
FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Wear a NIOSH-approved, positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective gear.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Wear appropriate protective equipment (See Section 8).
ON LAND
Do not create dust. Scoop up with a shovel or sweep up with a synthetic fiber broom and place in metal container.
Do not mix with combustible materials. Application of sodium carbonate, borax, or calcium chloride as a diluent
and absorbent will reduce the fire hazard. Dispose of as a hazardous waste under federal, state and local
regulations.
IN WATER
Absorb with a noncombustible absorbent (vermiculite). Place in metal container and dispose of as above.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Wear appropriate protective equipment (See Section 8). Avoid breathing dust. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and
clothing. Washing thoroughly after handling.
HANDLING
Do not taste or swallow. Use only with adequate ventilation. Wash thoroughly after handling. Keep away from
food or drinking water.
Clothing, vegetation, hydrocarbons, petroleum products, and other organic materials contaminated with sodium
chlorate or its solutions are dangerously flammable. Keep from contact with clothing and other combustible
materials. Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly. Do not wear leather shoes, gloves or belts. Wear

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rubber boots and apron to avoid contact with clothing. Always have a water filled jump tank or deluge shower in
immediate work area. If your clothing catches fire, do not use a fire blanket. Use the jump tank or deluge shower.
Do not smoke when handling. Do not drop, skid, or slide containers. Keep away from fire. Keep from contact
with sparks, impact, abrasion, or any other source of heat.
STORAGE
Store in a dry, well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Isolate from invompatible materials (See Section 10).
Do not store with reducing agents, ammonia, or amines. Store in original, tightly closed container.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Provide local exhaust and general ventilation system. Do not allow accumulation of dust in pipes, structural
members, or walkways.
PERSONAL PROTECTION
Respirator:

In operations where dust exposure limits are exceeded, use a NIOSH-approved respirator that
has been selected by a technically qualified person for the specific work conditions. If
respirators are used, OSHA requires compliance with its respiratory protection program (29
CFR 1910.134).

Eye Protection:

Wear safety glasses with side shield (or goggles). Wear a full-face respirator, if needed.

Clothing:

Where contact is likely, wear chemical-resistant gloves, a chemical suit and chemical-resistant
boots. Wear easily washable clothing and rubber boots or shoes. Wash clothing after each
shift. If clothing becomes contaminated, keep wet until washed. DO NOT wear leather shoes,
gloves or belts.*

Other:

Eye wash, safety shower or jump tank.

*If you are operating under dry conditions and conductivity is required, leather shoes may be used only if
precautions are taken to avoid contamination of the shoes. If leather is inadvertently contaminated, do not reuse;
discard as hazardous, flammable articles.
EXPOSURE CONTROLS
COMPONENT

Particulates not otherwise classified

OSHA PEL

inhalable

ACGIH TLV

TWA

STEL

TWA

10 mg/m3
3

respirable
Particulates not otherwise classified

total dust

respirable fraction

Sodium Chlorate (B-5012)

STEL

N/E

N/E

3 mg/m

N/E

N/E

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9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

State .............................. Granular solid
Color............................. White
Odor.............................. None
Vapor Pressure.............. N/A
Melting Point C........... 248

Boiling Point C............ ..N/A

Bulk Density, lb/cu. Ft........ approximately 100
Weight Per Gallon .............. N/A
Specific Gravity @ 20 C ... 2.49
Water Solubility @ 20 C ... 49.5
pH........................................ N/A

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

REACTIVITY
Normally stable unless contaminated.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
DANGER! Strong oxidizer - contact with other materials may cause fire or explosive mixtures. May react
violently with strong reducing agents. DO NOT MIX with charcoal, shellac, sugar, starch, sulfur and sulfur
compounds, ammonia, ammonium compounds, amines, acids, phosphorus, metal powders, sawdust, explosives,
and other flammable or oxidizable materials including clothing. Can become shock or friction sensitive when
mixed with some of these materials.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS
If subjected to intense heat, may release toxic and hazardous fumes of sodium oxide, chlorine, and chlorine
dioxide.
CONDITIONS TO AVOID
High temperatures; reducing agents.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Acute Effects on Humans
Humans appear to be more susceptible than animals to acute effects of exposure to sodium chlorate (see data
below). Doses of 100 grams or more are invariably fatal to humans. In a study of 14 cases of poisoning by sodium
chlorate, the lowest fatal dose reported occurred in a 46-year old woman who ingested 15 grams (estimated to be
280 mg/kg body weight). In another reported case, however, an 18-year old male survived a dose of 100 grams
(estimated to be 1.14 g/kg of body weight) (HSDB, 1998).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reviewed two studies conducted with adult male volunteers
that reported the acute No Observable Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) to be 0.034 mg chlorate ion/kg-day, and
the sub-acute NOAEL to be 0.036 mg chlorate ion/kg-day (EPA, 1994).
RTECS FO0525000
LDLo (human)
LDLo (child)
Oral TDLo (woman)
Oral LD50 (rat)
Oral LD50 (mouse)
Oral LD50 (rabbit)
Oral LDLo (cat)

Sodium Chlorate (B-5012)

214 mg/kg unreported route

185 mg/kg unreported route
800 mg/kg
1200 mg/kg
8350 mg/kg
7200 mg/kg
1350 mg/kg

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Oral LDLo (dog)

Inhalation LC50 (rat)
Intraperitoneal LD50 (mouse)
Dermal LD50 (rabbit)
Dermal (rabbit)
Eye (rabbit)

700 mg/kg
>28 g/m3/1 hr
596 mg/kg
>10 g/kg
500 mg/24 hr mild irritation
10 mg mild irritation

Mutation effects were observed in bacteria and insects.

Potential Chronic Effects
In sub-chronic oral studies, the NOAEL for sodium chlorate was found to be: 9 mg/kg-day for Green monkeys
dosed via drinking water for 30-60 days (Bercz, et al., 1982); 38-53 mg/kg-day for rats dosed via drinking water
for three months (McCauley, et al., 1995); 100 mg/kg-day for rates dosed by gavage for three months (Barrett,
1987a); and 360 mg/kg-day for beagle dogs dosed by gavage for three months (Barrett, 1987b).
In a one-year study on rats dosed via drinking water, no NOAEL was determined; however, the Lowest
Observable Adverse Effect Level was 1.8 mg/kg-day (Abdel-Rahmann, et al., 1985).
In a study with pregnant rats, sodium chlorate did not appear to affect either dams or fetuses. The NOAEL
appeared to be 1000 mg/kg-day (Schroeder, 1987). No studies of reproductive toxicity of sodium chlorate are
available.
Four studies (Wyngaarden, et al., 1952, Greer, et al., 1966, Eskandari, et al., 1997, Van Sande, et al., 2003)
indicate that chlorate inhibits iodide uptake by the thyroid. Rats and mice fed drinking water containing sodium
chlorate in concentrations up to 2g/L demonstrated decreased T4 levels after 4 days and a concentrationdependent
increase in thyroid follicular cell hyperplasia after 90 days (Hooth, et al., 2001). Chlorine dioxide is converted to
chlorate and chlorite in vivo. Human volunteers had no detectable thyroid hormone changes after drinking 500 ml
of water containing 5 mg/L sodium chlorate each day for 12 weeks (Lubbers, et al., 1982).
Perchlorate is produced during the electrolytic production of chlorates and is present in the finished product in an
expected range of approximately 17-22 ppm. Perchlorate can potentially inhibit iodide uptake by the thyroid and
result in a decrease in thyroid hormone (Wyngaarden, et al., 1952, Greer, et al., 1966, Eskandari, et al., 1997,
Van Sande, et al., 2003). The health effects of perchlorate are being studied by USEPA through the preparation of
a toxicity assessment that is currently under review, which is expected to lead to the establishment of a maximum
contaminant level for perchlorate in drinking water by 2007.
Sodium dichromate, a source of hexavalent chromium, is necessary to the electrolytic production of chlorates and
sodium dichromate is present in the finished product in the range of 1-3 ppm. The State of California has
determined in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65) that
hexavalent chromium poses a significant risk of cancer when in excess of 0.001 microgram (one onebillionth of a
gram) per day could be inhaled.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Sodium chlorate acts as a non-selective contact herbicide, acting as a desiccant; it is a semi-permanent soil
sterilant.
Sodium chlorate was found to be weakly toxic to aquatic organisms. (Matida, 1976)

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13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

RCRA Waste Code:..........................D001
Sodium chlorate, including spill cleanups, is prohibited from land disposal without prior treatment. Dispose in
accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
DOT Proper Shipping Name ............Sodium chlorate
DOT Hazard Class............................5.1 (Oxidizer)
DOT I.D. Number
..UN 1495
DOT Packing Group
..II
Label(s)
..Oxidizer
ERG Guide No.
..140
TDG Shipping Name........................Sodium chlorate
TDG Classification...........................5.1 (Oxidizer)
Product Identification Number
..UN 1495
Packing Group
.
..II
Label(s)
..Oxidizer
IMDG Proper Shipping Name..........Sodium chlorate
IMDG Hazard Class .........................5.1 (Oxidizer)
IMDG I.D. Number
.
..UN 1495
Packing Group
.
..II
Label(s)
..Oxidizer
IATA Proper Shipping Name ...........Sodium chlorate
IATA Hazard Class ..........................5.1 (Oxidizer)
IATA I.D. Number
..
..UN 1495
Packing Group
.
..II
Label(s)
..Oxidizer
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD (29 CFR 1910.1200)
X Hazardous

Non-Hazardous

SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS GOAL

In July, 1994 EPA concluded that existing data are inadequate for developing a maximum contaminant level goal
for chlorate. (Federal Register, 59, No. 145, pp 38691-4, 1994)
CERCLA/SUPERFUND (40 CFR 117, 302)
Chemical Name

RQ (lbs)/(kg)

N/A

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SARA EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (40 CFR 355)

Chemical Name

TPQ (lbs)

RQ (lbs)

N/A
SARA HAZARD CATEGORIES (40 CFR 370)
X Acute

X Chronic

X Fire

Pressure

Reactive

None

SARA TOXIC CHEMICALS (40 CFR 372)

Chemical Name

CAS Number

N/A
WORKPLACE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION SYSTEM (CPR Section (33))
This product has been classified according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations, and the
MSDS contains all required information.
X Controlled Product; Classification: C

Not a Controlled Product

INVENTORY STATUS
This chemical is listed on the US TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory and the Canadian Domestic Substances
List.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT
No specific regulations apply.
STATE REGULATIONS
California Proposition 65 ....................... WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer. (See Section 16)
Florida Hazardous Substance List .... ..... Present
Massachusetts Right to Know List ......... Present
New Jersey Right to Know List.............. Substance No. 1688
Pennsylvania Right to Know List........... Present
16. OTHER INFORMATION
ABBREVIATIONS
C - Ceiling limit
ERG - Emergency Response Guidebook
LOAEL - Lowest Observable Adverse Effect Level
LC50 - The concentration of a substance in air that will kill 50% of test animals within a certain exposure period.
LDLo - The lowest dose of a substance that will kill a test animal.
LD50 - The dose that causes death in 50% of test animals.
N/A - Not applicable
N/D - Not determined
N/E - Not established
N/K - Not known

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NOAEL - No Observable Adverse Effect Level

PIN Product Identification Number
RQ - Reportable Quantity
TDLo - The lowest dose of a substance that causes a specific toxic effect.
TPQ - Threshold Planning Quantity
PREPARATION INFORMATION
Prepared by...... ............ Safety and Health Department
MSDS No. .................... B-5012
Date Revised:... ............ February 28, 2006
Date of Issue: .. ............ March 2006

Replaces: September 17, 2003

REVISION INFORMATION
Updated with ANSI Standard
Section 1: Updated company name, address, and phone number
Section 14: IMDG/IATA added
Section 15: WHMIS classification changed

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