How to Handle Sodium Azide

Sodium azide (NaN₃) is a colorless crystalline solid and is readily soluble in water. Sodium azide is a common preservative of samples and stock solutions in laboratories and a useful reagent in synthetic work.

• Consult safety resources available on:
  • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Sources
  • Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary: Sodium Azide, Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals (1995), The National Academies Press
  • Facts About Sodium Azide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Consider these hazards specific to sodium azide:
  • Sodium azide is extremely toxic (LD50 oral [rat] 27mg/kg) and a powerful poison. Ingesting very small amounts can cause death in a short period of time.
  • When mixed with water or an acid, sodium azide changes rapidly to a toxic gas with a pungent odor. However, the odor may not be sharp enough to give people sufficient warning as to the hazard.
  • When heated to its decomposition temperature of ~275°C, sodium azide may undergo violent decomposition.
  • Additional hazards:
    • Sodium azide also changes into a toxic gas when it comes in contact with solid metals.
    • Sodium azide reacts violently with nitric acid, bromine, carbon disulfide, dimethylsulfate, and several heavy metals including copper and lead.
      • Never flush sodium azide (solid or concentrated solution) down the drain — the azide can react with lead or copper in the drain lines and explode.
      • Do not store on metal shelves or use metal items to handle sodium azide (i.e., spatulas). Contact with metal shelves, containers, and utensils can result in formation of heavy metal azides and the risk of explosion.
• Use a less dangerous product than sodium azide if one is available that can perform the same task.

A PI or a knowledgeable designee must provide appropriate safety training.

• Inform employees about handling sodium azide, its specific hazards, and health effects.
• Explain possible routes of exposure, as appropriate:
  • Skin absorption
  • Eye exposure
  • Inhalation
• Provide personal protective equipment and engineering controls, and train employees in their proper use.
• Post emergency procedures in the lab and make sure everyone who works with sodium azide is familiar with them.
• Consult the chemical safety officer, (858) 822-1579, on training procedures for any new or revised projects that will:
  • Use large quantities of sodium azide
  • Heat sodium azide
• Keep training records on file, including:
  • Information covered
  • Date
  • Names
  • Employee signatures

Sodium azide spills are very serious and require immediate clean up.

• Read How to Handle Chemical Spills in Laboratories.
• Keep a chemical spill kit easily accessible.
• Print and keep the Material Safety Data Sheet for sodium azide with your emergency supplies.
• Know the location of safety equipment, including eyewash, emergency shower, first aid kit, and Emergency Guide.
• Clean up only very small quantities of sodium azide, and only if you have been properly trained. If you decide to clean up a spill, use materials appropriate for sodium azide:
  • Never use metal instruments.
  • Wipe up solutions with chemical absorbent pads (as found in chemical spill kits).
  • Cover solids with sand, sweep up, and place in a non-metal container.
• Dispose of all spill containment material as hazardous chemical waste.

• Buy the least amount of sodium azide the work requires. Do not buy in large quantities to "save money."
• Label all containers with this information:
  • Name of the material
  • Concentration
  • Warnings
  • Date, when appropriate
  • Preparer's initials, when appropriate
• Label the work area with a sign saying "Sodium Azide Use Area."
• Follow these storage guidelines:
  • Select a compatible container, preferably glass or polyethylene.
  • Place the container in a compatible secondary container (i.e., polyethylene) large enough to capture the entire contents should the original container leak or rupture.
  • Contact an EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist if you have questions about chemical and container compatibility.
  • Isolate sodium azide from acids.
  • Do not store on metal shelves or use metal items to handle sodium azide.

• Engineering controls:
  • Perform all work with sodium azide in a chemical fume hood to avoid exposure by inhalation.
  • Perform a dry run of your process to work out any potential pitfalls.
• Wear this personal protective equipment:
  • Lab coat with sleeves fully extended to the wrists
  • Safety glasses or splash goggles and face shield
  • 2 layers of surgical gloves
  • Full-length pants
  • Closed-toe shoes
  Follow these PPE guidelines:
  • Always double-check your PPE before each use of sodium azide.
  • Never re-use surgical gloves.
  • Leave all personal protective equipment in the lab when your work is complete.
• Restrict access to the work area.
• Keep container sizes and quantities in the work area as small as possible.
• Line work surfaces with removable plastic-backed absorbant paper.
• If you suspect equipment has been contaminated with sodium azide, contact an EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist.

Give first-aid treatment, then seek medical attention immediately for all hazardous material exposures. Treat any exposure seriously, no matter how slight it may seem at the moment.

• Ingestion: Seek medical attention immediately.
• Skin exposure: Flush exposed skin with water for at least 15 minutes while removing any contaminated clothing.
• Eye exposure: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. The affected person may need help holding their eyes open under water.
• For all exposures:
  • Seek medical attention immediately at an emergency room.
  • Call Campus Police at (858) 534-4357 (534-HELP) and request an ambulance if transportation is necessary.
  • Call the Poison Control System, (800) 222-1222, if additional information is needed.

Read about how to:

• Identify hazardous chemical waste
• Store and dispose of hazardous and extremely hazardous chemical waste
• Request a hazardous waste collection