Knowledge
Material Safety Data Sheet: Sodium Phosphate
Identification
Product Name: Sodium Phosphate
Synonyms: Monosodium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate, Trisodium Phosphate
Chemical Formula: Na3PO4, Na2HPO4, NaH2PO4
Recommended Use: Water treatment, food additive, cleaning agent, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer: Major industrial chemical suppliers globally
Emergency Contact: Refer to local emergency number or poison control center
Hazard Identification
GHS Classification: Eye irritation Category 2A, Skin irritation Category 2
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation, may cause skin irritation, harmful if swallowed in large amounts
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing dust, wash hands thoroughly after handling, wear eye protection, use gloves
Potential Health Effects: Eye redness, skin dryness or cracking, gastrointestinal disturbance if ingested, coughing or shortness of breath if inhaled
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, respiratory system, digestive tract
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Chemical Name: Sodium Phosphate
CAS Numbers: 7601-54-9 (Trisodium Phosphate), 7558-79-4 (Disodium Phosphate), 7558-80-7 (Monosodium Phosphate)
Concentration: Typically over 95%, remaining content up to 5% water or minor impurities from production
Impurities: Commercial sodium phosphates sometimes contain small amounts of secondary phosphate salts or trace metals
Ingredient Integrity: Testing often establishes batch-to-batch purity and compliance with food or industrial standards
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Bring affected person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek medical attention if symptoms occur
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water, consult physician if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing, immediate medical attention for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water to dilute, avoid inducing vomiting unless directed by medical personnel, seek medical advice for large ingestion
Advice To Physicians: Treatment is supportive, monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms or signs of irritation
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water, foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: None known for this inorganic salt
Specific Hazards: Product does not burn, but decomposition at high temperature may release irritating or toxic fumes (such as phosphorous oxides, sodium oxides)
Fire-Fighting Instructions: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear, control runoff to prevent environmental contamination
Thermal Hazards: Containers may rupture due to heat, avoid breathing decomposition products
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel, wear appropriate protective equipment, avoid dust formation
Methods for Containment: Prevent spillage from reaching drains or open water, use physical barriers when possible
Clean-up Procedures: Sweep up spilled material, transfer to suitable containers for disposal, mop area with plenty of water
Environmental Precautions: Sodium phosphate promotes nutrient pollution in natural waters, avoid uncontrolled release to environment, notify authorities in case of large spills
Handling and Storage
Safe Handling: Use in well-ventilated areas, avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing, minimize dust formation, no eating or smoking in handling areas
Storage Conditions: Keep tightly closed in original containers, store in cool, dry, well-ventilated spaces, separate from acids and incompatible materials
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong acids, aluminum powder, magnesium, and materials sensitive to alkalis
Hygiene Practices: Wash hands thoroughly after handling, remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse, maintain good industrial hygiene practices
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below exposure limits
Occupational Exposure Limits: No OSHA or ACGIH exposure limits specifically for sodium phosphate, general particulate limits apply (15 mg/m3 total dust, 5 mg/m3 respirable)
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles for eye protection, gloves (nitrile or PVC), suitable laboratory or industrial clothing
Respiratory Protection: Dust mask or respirator approved for particulates if dust generation cannot be prevented
Environmental Controls: Minimize environmental release, implement containment for storage and handling areas
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: White, granular, crystalline, or powder form
Odor: Odorless
Odor Threshold: Not applicable
pH: Alkaline solution, pH varies (around 11-12 for trisodium phosphate, 8-9 for disodium phosphate, 4-5 for monosodium phosphate)
Melting Point: Range from 60 °C to > 100 °C depending on hydration state
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility: Easily soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol
Vapor Pressure: Negligible
Density: 1.6–2.6 g/cm3
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Decomposition Temperature: Above 100 °C, produces hazardous gases
Other Properties: Hygroscopic, absorbs moisture from air
Stability and Reactivity
Reactivity: Reacts with acids to form phosphoric acid and release heat
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended conditions, can degrade in presence of moisture over long periods
Hazardous Reactions: May react with magnesium, aluminum, and strong reducing agents
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Produces sodium oxide and phosphorus oxides during thermal decomposition
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to moisture and high temperature, mixing with acids or incompatible materials
Toxicological Information
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat) typically above 2000 mg/kg, low order of toxicity
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Prolonged or repeated contact may cause irritation or dermatitis
Serious Eye Damage/Irritation: Causes moderate to severe irritation
Respiratory Sensitization: Inhalation of dust may lead to short-term respiratory discomfort, coughing
Ingestion Effects: Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain if large quantities consumed
Chronic Effects: No known long-term health effects in normal occupational settings at low concentrations, use with adequate ventilation
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, OSHA
Other Data: Overexposure to phosphates by ingestion can disturb calcium equilibrium in body
Ecological Information
Aquatic Toxicity: Not acutely toxic to aquatic life but can contribute to eutrophication, leading to algal blooms, oxygen depletion
Persistence: Moderately persistent, phosphates bind to soil and sediments
Bioaccumulation: Unlikely, phosphate ions do not accumulate in living organisms
Mobility in Soil: Readily mobile in water, leaches into waterways, affects water quality
Large Scale Effects: Significant contributor to nutrient loading in natural water systems, considered a pollutant under numerous water quality guidelines
Regulatory Concerns: Monitoring and limiting phosphate discharge remains a regulatory focus due to environmental risks
Disposal Considerations
Waste Handling: Dispose according to local, regional, national, and international regulations
Preferred Method: Chemical waste landfill or treatment at licensed facility
Small Quantities: Flush to sewer with plenty of water if permitted by local regulations
Large Quantities: Collect for disposal by licensed chemical waste contractor
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly before discarding or recycling, never reuse for food or drink
Environmental Impact: Do not allow large quantities to enter waterways, restrict discharge to minimize environmental nutrient pollution
Transport Information
UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport under UN, IMO, ADR, or IATA
Transport Hazard Class: Not regulated
Packing Group: Not regulated
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Phosphate
Special Transport Precautions: Keep containers tightly closed, prevent physical damage, minimize release of powder during transport
Labeling Requirements: Standard identification, no hazardous labels needed for non-bulk shipments
Regulatory Status: Routine impurities or large-scale shipments may require special handling documentation
Regulatory Information
Labeling: GHS classification, precautionary statements, and hazard pictograms displayed on container
TSCA Status (US): Listed
SARA 313: Not specifically listed
REACH (EU): Pre-registered, subject to regulation for food and water treatment uses
Other Regulations: Subject to local environmental and water quality regulations regarding phosphate runoff and disposal
Chemical Inventories: Registered in major chemical substance inventories globally
Restrictions: Water management, agriculture, and food sectors face limits on total phosphorus discharge or use in certain regions
