sn degradation

[DreamEnd]

Hi, I have opened my sn bag a few times but sealed it back up. Is it still good to use or is it done for?

 

[TeflonMummy]

SN has a shelf life of about 82.3 days once exposed to oxygen according to the source I found. As long as it remains sealed you should be alright to use it in the next 3 months. I'd recommend if you buy another source not to open it until you plan to use it; it stays stable for about 3 years sealed. If you notice the material inside starting to clump up it's likely expired. It also depends on the form of SN you bought. It may be sold as a powder or small "beads". I'm not sure if that changes how it degrades when exposed to oxygen.

If you can afford a backup source I'd probably buy one.

Source of information: https://www.santos.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Sodium-nitrite-March-2021.pdf
Relevant info is on page 3, section B.

 

[Letgo]

Hi, what about if I just kept it in the bottle, never opened it but did not store in an air tight container for maybe a month? I just put it into a zip lock...

 

[TeflonMummy]

Hi, what about if I just kept it in the bottle, never opened it but did not store in an air tight container for maybe a month? I just put it into a zip lock...

Check for clumping or dampness if you have it in powder form, if in bead form see if its starting to become powdered or stuck together. Don't handle without some form of skin barrier such as nitrile gloves or irritation of the skin may occur. It's also possible to absorb SN through the skin. If skin contact occurs immediately flush skin with water for up to 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing if present and wash before reuse.

See MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) from Fischer for more info on proper storage and handling methods as well as useful information regarding SN's chemical properties. https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/21410.htm

Relevant info is on Section 4 and 7.

 

[Letgo]

I read it. Thank you so much. I will be doing an aquarium test. I hope it is still good. Never opened it.