Section 1. Chemical Product and Company Identification
Potassium sulfite
Common Name/
Trade Name
Manufacturer
Commercial Name(s)
Synonym
Chemical Name
Chemical Family
Potassium sulfite
Section 4. First Aid Measures
Eye Contact Check for and remove any contact lenses. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at
least 15 minutes. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention if irritation occurs.
Skin Contact Wash with soap and water. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Get medical attention if irritation develops.
Cold water may be used.
Serious Skin Contact Not available.
Inhalation If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get
medical attention.
Serious Inhalation Not available.
Ingestion Do NOT induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person. If large quantities of this material are swallowed, call a physician immediately. Loosen tight
clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband.
Serious Ingestion Not available.
Section 5. Fire and Explosion Data
Flammability of the Product Non-flammable.
Auto-Ignition Temperature Not applicable.
Flash Points Not applicable.
Flammable Limits Not applicable.
Not available.
Products of Combustion
Fire Hazards in Presence of Not applicable.
Various Substances
Explosion Hazards in Presence Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact: Not available.
of Various Substances Risks of explosion of the product in presence of static discharge: Not available.
Fire Fighting Media Not applicable.
and Instructions
Special Remarks on Not available.
Fire Hazards
Special Remarks on Explosion Not available.
Hazards
Section 6. Accidental Release Measures
Small Spill Use appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste disposal container. Finish cleaning by
spreading water on the contaminated surface and dispose of according to local and regional authority
requirements.
Large Spill
Use a shovel to put the material into a convenient waste disposal container. Finish cleaning by spreading water
on the contaminated surface and allow to evacuate through the sanitary system.
Potassium sulfite
Section 7. Handling and Storage
Precautions Do not breathe dust. Keep away from incompatibles such as oxidizing agents.
Storage Keep container tightly closed. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Air Sensitive
Section 8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Engineering Controls Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below
recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to
airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.
Personal Protection Safety glasses. Lab coat. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Gloves.
Personal Protection in Case of Splash goggles. Full suit. Dust respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used
a Large Spill to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist
BEFORE handling this product.
Exposure Limits Not available.
Section 9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance Solid. (Powdered solid. Crystalline powder. Odor Odorless.
Crystals solid.)
Taste Not available.
Molecular Weight 158.26 g/mole
White.
Color
pH (1% soln/water) Not available.
Boiling Point Not available.
Melting Point Not available.
Critical Temperature Not available.
Not available.
Specific Gravity
Vapor Pressure Not applicable.
Not available.
Vapor Density
Volatility Not available.
Odor Threshold Not available.
Not available.
Water/Oil Dist. Coeff.
Ionicity (in Water) Not available.
See solubility in water.
Dispersion Properties
Solubility Soluble in cold water.
Section 10. Stability and Reactivity Data
Stability The product is stable.
Not available.
Instability Temperature
Conditions of Instability Incompatible materials, air
Incompatibility with various Reactive with oxidizing agents.
substances Slightly reactive to reactive with acids.
Corrosivity Non-corrosive in presence of glass.
Potassium sulfite
Air sensitive. Oxidizes in air to sulfate.
Special Remarks on
Reactivity
Special Remarks on Not available.
Corrosivity
Polymerization Will not occur.
Section 11. Toxicological Information
Routes of Entry Eye contact. Inhalation. Ingestion.
Toxicity to Animals LD50: Not available.
LC50: Not available.
Chronic Effects on Humans Not available.
Other Toxic Effects on
Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Humans
Special Remarks on Not available.
Toxicity to Animals
Special Remarks on Not available.
Chronic Effects on Humans
Special Remarks on other Potential Health Effects:
Toxic Effects on Humans Skin: May cause skin irritation. May cause contact dermatitis.
Eyes: May cause eye irritation. May cause conjunctivitis in sensitive individuals.
Inhalation: Can cause respiratory tract irritation. Inhalation can also trigger the onset of hypersensivity reactions,
nasal pruritus(itiching) and rhinorrhea (runny nose in sensitized individuals.
Ingestion: When ingested it can cause gastric irritation by liberation of sulfurous acid. Because of rapid oxidation
to sulfate, sulfites are well tolerated until large doses are reached. Ingestion of large doses can cause nausea,
vomiting, abdominal pain, violet colic and diarrhea. It may also cause circulatory disturbances, hypotension (low
blood pressure), and may affect behavior/central nervous system (central nervous system stimulation followed by
depression, seizures). In animals, hypotension, cyanosis, and cardiovascular collapse have been described
following ingestion of lethal doses of sulfites. Some asthmatics are said to be dangerously sensitive to minute
amounts of sulfites in foods. Symptoms of hypersensitivity are bronchoconstriction, swelling of the tongue,
diffuculty swallowing, diaphoresis (sweating), flushing, urticaria (hives), tachycardia (rapid heart beat),
hypotension, and anaphylaxis.
Section 12. Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity Not available.
BOD5 and COD Not available.
Products of Biodegradation Possibly hazardous short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may
arise.
Toxicity of the Products The product itself and its products of degradation are not toxic.
of Biodegradation
Special Remarks on the Not available.
Products of Biodegradation
Section 13. Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental
control regulations.
Potassium sulfite
Section 14. Transport Information
DOT Classification Not a DOT controlled material (United States).
Identification Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Special Provisions for
Transport
DOT (Pictograms)
Section 15. Other Regulatory Information and Pictograms
TSCA 8(b) inventory: Potassium sulfite
Federal and State
Regulations
California California prop. 65: This product contains the following ingredients for which the State of California has found
to cause cancer which would require a warning under the statute: No products were found.
Proposition 65
Warnings
California prop. 65: This product contains the following ingredients for which the State of California has found
to cause birth defects which would require a warning under the statute: No products were found.
Other Regulations EINECS: This product is on the European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances (EINECS No.
233-321-1).
Canada: Listed on Canadian Domestic Substance List (DSL).
China: Listed on National Inventory.
Japan: Listed on National Inventory (ENCS).
Korea: Listed on National Inventory (KECI).
Philippines: Listed on National Inventory (PICCS).
Australia: Listed on AICS.
WHMIS (Canada) Not controlled under WHMIS (Canada).
Other Classifications
DSCL (EEC)
This product is not classified according Not applicable.
to the EU regulations.
Health Hazard
HMIS (U.S.A.) 1 National Fire Protection
0 Flammability
0 Association (U.S.A.)
Fire Hazard
1 0 Reactivity
Health
Reactivity
0
Specific hazard
Personal Protection
E
WHMIS (Canada)
(Pictograms)
DSCL (Europe)
(Pictograms)
TDG (Canada)
(Pictograms)
Potassium sulfite
ADR (Europe)
(Pictograms)
Protective Equipment
Gloves.
Lab coat.
Dust respirator. Be sure to use an
approved/certified respirator or
equivalent.
SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
N/A
