Safety data for sodium hypochlorite solution

Click here for data on sodium hypochlorite in student-friendly format, from the HSci project

Glossary of terms on this data sheet.
The information on this web page is provided to help you to work safely, but it is intended to be an overview of hazards, not a replacement for a full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDS forms can be downloaded from the web sites of many chemical suppliers.

General

Synonyms: hypochlorous acid sodium salt, sodium hydrochlorite, sodium chloride oxide, sodium oxychloride clorox, antiformin, B-K liquid, Carrel-dakin solution, chloros, chlorox, deosan, hyclorite, Javex, klorocin, milton, neo-cleaner, neoseptal CL, parazone, purin B, surchlor
Use: Liquid bleach
Molecular formula: ClONa
CAS No: 7681-52-9
EC No: 231-668-3
Annex I Index No: 017-011-00-1

Physical data

Appearance: colourless liquid with strong odour
Melting point:
Boiling point: typically 40 C (decomposes)
Vapour density:
Vapour pressure:
Specific gravity: ca. 1.21
Flash point: n/a
Explosion limits: n/a
Autoignition temperature: n/a

Stability

Stable. Contact with acids releases poisonous gas ( chlorine ). Light sensitive. Incompatible with strong acids, amines, ammonia, ammonium salts, reducing agents, metals, aziridine, methanol, formic acid, phenylacetonitrile.

Toxicology

Corrosive, causes burns to skin and eyes. Harmful by ingestion, inhalation and through skin contact. Skin irritant. Degree of harm depends upon the concentration of hypochlorite. Annex I lists only the risk phrases R31 R34.
Toxicity data
(The meaning of any abbreviations which appear in this section is given here.)
ORL-MUS LD50 5800 mg kg-1
ORL-WMN TDLO 1000 mg kg-1
IVN-MAN TDLO 45 mg kg-1
Risk phrases
(The meaning of any risk phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
R20 R21 R22 R34 R41.

Transport information

(The meaning of any UN hazard codes which appear in this section is given here.)
Hazard class 8. Packing group III

Personal protection

Use in well-ventilated areas only. Protect eyes. Do not mix with acids.
Safety phrases
(The meaning of any safety phrases which appear in this section is given here.)
S1 S2 S28 S45 S50.

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