Help Safety Precautions When Working with Sodium Nitrite. Is Protection Necessary?

[tinyfox]

Do I need to take any precautions when preparing the SN+water solution for CTB?
Specifically, do I need to wear gloves and a respirator to avoid getting poisoned while I'm preparing it?

So, can I hold the bag of SN with my bare hands and use a spoon to scoop it out with the other hand?

What if it accidentally spills? Is it possible to do all this inside some kind of protective bag?

What should I keep in mind, and how should I clean everything up so that if, say, a family member finds me, they don't accidentally get poisoned? Should I cover the surface I'm working on with something? What if I accidentally spill a little of the chemical somewhere?
Basically, what should I keep in mind so I don't harm myself prematurely, and so that whoever finds me later doesn't accidentally get poisoned or inhale SN fumes?

Is it safe to store a 100-gram package of SN in an apartment where other people live? Does it give off toxic fumes?

 

[purrpetrator]

It's not toxic in low doses. It's just a food additive. Take precautions if you want to though.

 

[Talvikki]

There is no risk of secondary contamination of bystanders and emergency responders

In the home environment, any residual powder in open sachets or tubes poses no danger to first responders. In case of direct skin contact with the powder or with the patient's vomit, it is important to wash this off with water and mild soap. Although dry powder will not be absorbed quickly through the skin, this can happen after prolonged contact (hours) and if it becomes moist due to sweating, or with damaged skin. It is unlikely that the powder will become spontaneously airborne in large quantities, limiting the chance of inhalation.

Source:
The Dutch Poisons Information Centre (NVIC)


Ambulance care procedures

Secondary contamination: there is no risk of secondary contamination of bystanders and emergency responders.

(Auto)intoxication with sodium nitrite

Sodium nitrite – NaNO2 (synonym "agent X")
It is the sodium salt of nitrous acid and is used as a preservative (E250) in the meat and fish industry. It is therefore readily available. Severe symptoms occur at 1-2 grams; the estimated lethal dose is 4 grams. The nitrite causes relaxation of smooth muscle cells (severe arterial and venous vasodilation), resulting in severe hypotension with reflex tachycardia. It also causes methemoglobinemia (MHb). MHb cannot bind oxygen, leading to tissue hypoxia.

Treatment with the antidote methylene blue intravenously can be initiated by the Mobile Medical Team (MMT).

Secondary contamination: there is no risk of secondary contamination of bystanders and emergency responders.

Screenshot Ambulance care procedures The Netherlands

 

[Jadeith]

Ok, let's be precise here. We' re discussing serious stuff after all.

It's not toxic in low doses.

It all depends how you define "low doses", because it IS fuckin' toxic, that's for sure. To a point that it is not recommended to even "test drive" it in any amount

PSA - DO NOT test-ingest SN

As users are aware, this platform advocates for personal bodily autonomy and supports individuals' rational choices regarding how they wish to live or die. However, there have been recent posts from users who have been "testing" their sodium nitrite (SN) supply—not for the purpose of an actual...

sanctioned-suicide.net

As for the precautions:
- SN is also oxidizing which is not good for skin, hence gloves/spoons are recommended during handling it directly but not a must if you don't play with it constantly. Accidental contact like sticking finger into it won't kill you or melt your finger
- if you have it in a plastic bag or other container and are using spoon or other thing to ie share some with someone in need, you are safe without gloves.
- family member will not get poisoned unless you keep it with salt or otherwise cause accidental ingestion
- SN does not give out fumes and can't be inhaled unless you intentionally snort it

Sodium nitrite - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[tinyfox]

Ok, let's be precise here. We' re discussing serious stuff after all.

It all depends how you define "low doses", because it IS fuckin' toxic, that's for sure. To a point that it is not recommended to even "test drive" it in any amount

PSA - DO NOT test-ingest SN

As users are aware, this platform advocates for personal bodily autonomy and supports individuals' rational choices regarding how they wish to live or die. However, there have been recent posts from users who have been "testing" their sodium nitrite (SN) supply—not for the purpose of an actual...

sanctioned-suicide.net

As for the precautions:
- SN is also oxidizing which is not good for skin, hence gloves/spoons are recommended during handling it directly but not a must if you don't play with it constantly. Accidental contact like sticking finger into it won't kill you or melt your finger
- if you have it in a plastic bag or other container and are using spoon or other thing to ie share some with someone in need, you are safe without gloves.
- family member will not get poisoned unless you keep it with salt or otherwise cause accidental ingestion
- SN does not give out fumes and can't be inhaled unless you intentionally snort it

Sodium nitrite - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I also think it's a very toxic substance, but I appreciate your explanation. I'm really worried about storing it at home. Of course, I'll hide it as far away as possible, but I'm still concerned about keeping my loved ones safe, since they don't know what I'm storing. The main thing is that it's safe and doesn't give off fumes while being stored in the apartment. Thank you

It's not toxic in low doses. It's just a food additive. Take precautions if you want to though.

Low doses? 4 grams of sodium nitrite can kill a person. That doesn't sound like a high dose

 

[tooafraidtodiez]

I've inhaled them like 5 times, nothing happened to me. Although some sources said it can cause skin irritation so maybe better to wear gloves

 

[gardenoflonely]

It's not toxic in low doses. It's just a food additive. Take precautions if you want to though.

SN is toxic. It has other uses than food. This is a strong chemical. There's an entire pinned thread here about how low doses of SN can be toxic. The version of SN used in food is usually mixed with other salt anyway and not as pure, so trying to compare it is also dangerous.

As long as it's not stored in a humid environment and remains sealed, you should be fine. Regarding accidental ingestion, I don't think it could leak into the air if the container is sealed.
Personally, I wear gloves and a respirator whenever I decide to test sn or handle it in general, but that might be overkill. I can't imagine a scenario where you'd have any adverse effects from storing it in your bedroom though.

Yes, it's a skin irritant. It can be absorbed through the skin and through open wounds. Also it can irritate your respiratory system if you breathe it in. It's very strong stuff.

Wash the area and handle with gloves and a mask next time if you want to be safest.

Personally these other comments are why I will be using gloves/mask/spoon while measuring, I don't think it would hurt anything to have extra precaution ^