Is Sodiun Nitrite Safe To Ship From One Country To Another?

[kaththisuresh]

Has the international shipping of sodium nitrite been banned in usa?

[theprof]

Well, you've asked two questions here.

The title question is about safety and you need to check with the shipping company if they permit it. Sodium nitrite is an oxidising agent and the fact that it can cause a fire when in contact with combustible and/or organic material may result in the shipping agent refusing to accept a consignment. Any MSDS data sheet will elaborate on this. My view is that shipment between countries should not be permitted.

I'm not certain if you're referring to the import or export of sodium nitrate in your second question, but laboratory purchases seem to be unchanged. I've checked with my colleagues at Stanford this afternoon and nothing has changed as far as US regulations are concerned regarding international and interstate purchases of sodium nitrate with all the supply houses.

What are you using it for?

[kaththisuresh]

@theprof It is for a chemistry project for my brother in college.

[Lie-in King]

theprof - excuse the intrusion from a chemistry dunce, but you've used "nitrAte" & "nitrIte" in your answer - I think there's a difference & wondered if it affected your answer in any way?

Apologies if this was pointless :-)

[Old_Geezer]

The difference is that nite rate is time and a half.

[theprof]

Lie-in King, I'm the one that should apologise sir and thank you for pointing out my error. I was confining myself to discussing sodium nitrite and I should have checked my reply before posting.

The nitrate salt has very similar oxidising properties to the nitrite salt and should not come into contact with combustible and organic materials due to the fire risk.

It doesn't affect my answer regarding sodium nitrite.

[Lie-in King]

Thank you prof, I'm pleased I caused no offence :-)

[theprof]

kaththisuresh, forgive me but I don't know if your brother is in the USA or some other country. Furthermore, I don't know if your brother want to purchase the sodium nitrite from another country and import it into the USA or if he is in another country and wants to purchase it from a USA supplier.

Maybe I should have asked about the location rather than the use. I understand why he cannot obtain the sodium nitrite via the college if he's working on a project. He should not have to source it elsewhere.

[theprof]

"I don't understand"

[theprof]

I'll try again:

"Maybe I should have asked about the location rather than the use. I don't understand why he cannot obtain the sodium nitrite via the college if he's working on a project. He should not have to source it elsewhere".

[retrocop]

theprof
Could Sodium Nitrite be described as an incendiary material ?

[shoota]

What happens when mixed with Ammonium Chloride?

[theprof]

Yes indeed retrocop. Alkali metal nitrates (nitrates of sodium, rubidium, caesium, potassium and lithium) are all used to varying degrees in explosives and pyrotechnics.

The mineral Saltpetre was the explosive component of the gunpowder that Guy Fawkes used in his attempt to blow up the Houses Of Parliament all those years ago. Saltpetre is virtually pure Potassium Nitrate.

Certain other non-alkali metal nitrates have similar properties.

[shoota]

I think RC and I are thinking along the same lines here.

[theprof]

shoota, I won't discuss explosive substances on The Answerbank. I'm certain you know the answer to your question.

[237SJ]

I don`t think it can be shipped by air

[theprof]

Just to clarify, most nitrites will accelerate burning and may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Contamination of the pure compound has been known to result in a fire. Contact with burning hydrocarbons will cause an explosion. Furthermore, contact with combustible material such as wood, clothing, paper etc may cause ignition of the base material.

Nitrites will also decompose to nitrates over time when exposed to air, a situation that has caused many a fire over the years.

In essence, nitrites can be regarded as having a similar profile to nitrates from a fire hazard point of view.

[237SJ]

If you want to know if it can be shipped, you need to look at IATA/ICAO 5.1 oxydizing substances. It might be able to be shipped by road

[237SJ]

*Oxidizing*

[kaththisuresh]

@theprof Sorry for not answering you earlier.My apologies.My brother is in India and he wants to order the sodium nitrite from USA.

[sanmac]

I'm sort of curious as to the nature of this project that your brother, who is in India, is working on. And I suppose that any members of the US ATF Bureau, or any other of their "alphabet soup" Agencies would also be curious; however, I doubt very much that they monitor the activities on this site...But you never know:)