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Sodium Metabisulfite Grades PDF
Sodium Metabisulfite Grades PDF
M 5323 e
April 1999 (rws)
Grades
Supersedes issue December 1994
Sodium Metabisulfite
Sodium Metabisulfite PHOTO GRADE
Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE
Sodium Bisulfite Solution 38 – 40 %
Sodium Bisulfite Solution FOOD GRADE
Reducing agents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, photographic
and textile industries and as food additives.
Basic Chemicals
Sodium Metabisulfite Grades
Chemical formula Na 2S 2O 5
Chemical name
in aqueous solution Sodium hydrogen sulfite, sodium bisulfite
Grades and packaging available Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE and PHOTO
GRADE can be purchased in 50 kg and 25 kg PE bags. They can also be
supplied in Big Bags.
Sodium Bisulfite Solution 38-40 % and FOOD GRADE are delivered only in
rail tank cars.
Properties
Sodium Metabisulfite and Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE and PHOTO
GRADE are microcrystalline powders with a faint odour of sulfur dioxide;
their bulk density lies between 1.0 and 1.2 kg/l.
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Table 1 Density and composition of sodium bisulfite solutions of
various concentrations
Temperature, °C
60
50
40
30
20
10
–10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Concentration, g/100 g
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Product specifications
The values and test methods stated in the product specifications below were valid when this Technical Leaflet
was drawn up, but subsequent changes are possible. The current product specifications are available on request.
The only values which are binding are those in the relevant specification sheets then provided.
Sodium Metabisulfite
Insoluble matter (g/100 g) < 0.01 max. 0.5 ANSI PH 4.276 –1980
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Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE
Mercury mg/kg < 0.03 < 0.1 AAS BASF (cold vapour)
The product also complies with the requirements listed for sodium meta-
bisulfite in the Food Chemical Codex, 4th edition (FCC IV) on page 369.
These requirements apply to its use in the foods sector in North America,
parts of South America and in many countries outside the EU.
Finally, this product also meets the requirements listed in the Compendium
of Food Additive Specifications of the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee
on Food Additives (JECFA), Add. 61, June 1998, page 143.
Density (at 20 °C) (kg/l) 1.330 1.310 –1.345 DIN 51757 (Similar)
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Sodium Bisulfite Solution FOOD GRADE (E 222)
Because aqueous solutions are acidic, suitable materials for pipelines and
tanks include Remanit (German material No. 1.4462), PP, PE and PVC.
The only resistant hard rubber types are those with a high graphite content.
Detailed information on materials can be found in the DECHEMA materials
table.
Any contact with nitrites and nitrates and with oxidizing agents must be
avoided because the reaction can be violent in some circumstances.
Application
In the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for various purposes, e. g.
As a reducing agent, for purifying and isolating aldehydes and ketones, for
destroying waste bromine, in the preparation of dyes.
For cleaning and bleaching wool, jute and other vegetable fibres.
In textile dyeing and printing to prepare indigo vats and to solubilize other
dyes.
In the photographic and film industry for preparing developer solutions, for
acidifying fixing baths.
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For ensiling green fodder,
for preserving foodstuffs (restricted use in accordance with the additives
approval regulations, E223).
Safety
Biological effects All the sodium metabisulfite grades have a faint odour of SO 2 and irritate
the eyes and respiratory tract. On contact with acids, they may evolve
hazardous quantities of toxic SO 2 gas.
In the water course, sodium bisulfite causes severe oxygen depletion and
may therefore harm aquatic organisms. Further details can be found in our
safety data sheets for the individual products.
On the basis of the data available to us, the sodium metabisulfite products,
including the PHOTO and FOOD GRADES, must be labelled as harmful
with the hazard symbol Xn and, consequently, with the following R and S
phrases:
Storage and transport All sodium metabisulfite grades should be stored under cool and dry
conditions. They are stable for six months if the storage temperature does
not exceed 25°C and the relative humidity does not exceed 45 %.
Safety data sheet Further information on the sodium metabisulfite grades and on Sodium
Bisulfite Solution 38 – 40 % and FOOD GRADE are to be found in the
relevant Safety Data Sheets.
Note
The information submitted in this publication is based on our current
knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may affect
processing and application, these data do not relieve processors of the
responsibility of carrying out their own tests and experiments; neither do
they imply any legally binding assurance of certain properties or of suit-
ability for a specific purpose. It is the responsibility of those to whom we
supply our products to ensure that any proprietary rights and existing laws
and legislation are observed.
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BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Marketing Grundchemikalien
Petrochemikalien und Anorganika
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