Potassium dithionite

206.3242

205.851212

0B8I49QLG5

1929

Light yellow colored powdered or flaked solid

119

0.39100

White crystalline powder; molecular weight = 120.17; MP = 190 °C (dec); solubility = 49 g/100 g water at 20 °C; insoluble in ethanol /Potassium hydrogen sulfite/

A dangerous fire risk when exposed to limited amounts of water or moist air. Soluble in water. Dissolution in large amounts of water removes danger of fire. Based on a scenario where the chemical is spilled into an excess of water (at least 5 fold excess of water), half of the maximum theoretical yield of sulfur Dioxide gas will be created in 6.9 minutes. Experimental details are in the following: "Development of the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Distances for the 2008 Emergency Response Guidebook", ANL/DIS-09-2, D.F. Brown, H.M. Hartmann, W.A. Freeman, and W.D. Haney, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, June 2009.

Anhydrides

Strong Reducing Agent

POTASSIUM DITHIONITE reacts, often violently, with oxidizing agents to generate heat and gaseous products that may be toxic and flammable. Generates gaseous sulfur dioxide in contact with oxidizing acids and nonoxidizing acids. Undergoes a self-accelerating hydrolysis reaction upon contact with water, producing thiosulfate and bisulfite compounds and heat in neutral or acidic aqueous solution.

II

4.2

1929

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]: Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. (ERG, 2016)|Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 3rd degree

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]: As an 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: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1929 datasheet. 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, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]: Fully encapsulating, vapor-protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire. ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. SMALL SPILL: EXCEPTION: 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, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection. (ERG, 2016)|Wear positive pressure self-contained breating apparatus ... Wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

... Dangerous fire risk when exposed to water or moist air.

If material on fire or involved in fire: Do not extinguish fire unless flow can be stopped. Do not use water. Use graphite, soda ash, powdered sodium chloride, or suitable dry powder.|If fire becomes uncontrollable or container is exposed to direct flame, consider evacuation of one-half (1/2) mile radius. If material leaking (not on fire) consider evacuation from downwind area based on amount of material spilled, location, and weather conditions.

If material not on fire and not involved in fire: Do not use water. Keep sparks, flames, and other sources of ignition away. Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Keep material dry.|Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind ... Avoid bodily contact with the material.

If ... THERE IS NO FIRE, go directly to the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances /(see table below)/ ... to obtain initial isolation and protective action distances. IF THERE IS A FIRE, or IF A FIRE IS INVOLVED, go directly to the appropriate guide /(see guide(s) below)/ and use the evacuation information shown under PUBLIC SAFETY. /Potassium dithionite (when spilled in water)/|Table of Water-Reactive Materials Which Produce Toxic Gases|/GUIDE 135: SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE/ Fire or Explosion: Flammable/combustible material. May ignite on contact with moist air or moisture. May burn rapidly with flare-burning effect. Some react vigorously or explosively on contact with water. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May re-ignite after fire is extinguished. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated.|/GUIDE 135: SUBSTANCES - SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE/ Health: Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution.|For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for Potassium dithionite (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]: Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Inhalation of decomposition products may cause severe injury or death. Contact with substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 135 [Substances - Spontaneously Combustible]: Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2016)

Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Sulfur and related compounds/|Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Anticipate seizures and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 ml/kg up to 200 ml of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Administer activated charcoal ... . Cover skin burns with dry sterile dressings after decontamination ... . /Sulfur and related compounds/|Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag-valve-mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Consider administering a beta agonist such as albuterol for severe bronchospasms ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Treat seizures with diazepam or lorazepam ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Sulfur and related compounds/

Fire Hazards -> Flammable - 3rd degree, Reactive - 3rd degree