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Technical Leaflet

M 5323 e
April 1999 (rws)

Sodium Metabisulfite
Grades

Supersedes issue December 1994

Sodium
Sodium
Sodium
Sodium
Sodium

Metabisulfite
Metabisulfite PHOTO GRADE
Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE
Bisulfite Solution 38 40 %
Bisulfite Solution FOOD GRADE

Reducing agents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, photographic


and textile industries and as food additives.
Auxiliary for water and sewage treatment
Bleach for the paper and pulp industry
Auxiliary for the film and photographic industry
Ensiling agent
Preservative

Basic Chemicals

Sodium Metabisulfite Grades

Chemical names

Sodium metabisulfite, sodium disulfite, sodium pyrosulfite

Commercial names

Sodium Metabisulfite
Sodium Metabisulfite PHOTO GRADE
Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE

Chemical formula

Na 2S 2O 5

Molar mass

190.1 g

CAS No.

7681-57-4

EINECS No.

231-673-0

Chemical name
in aqueous solution

Sodium hydrogen sulfite, sodium bisulfite

Commercial name

Sodium bisulfite solution 38 40 %


Sodium bisulfite solution FOOD GRADE

Chemical formula

NaHSO 3

Molar mass

104.06 g

CAS No.

7631-90-5

EINECS No.

231-848-0

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.
The products are supplied on disposable pallets which can be wrapped, if
requested by the customer.
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.
Sodium Bisulfite Solution 38 40 % and FOOD GRADE are clear, slightly
yellowish liquids with a strong odour of sulfur dioxide, and pH values
between 3.9 and 4.4.
Sodium metabisulfite decomposes at temperatures above 120 C. If the
containers in which it is stored are not tightly closed, it rapidly absorbs
moisture and is oxidized. The amount of water absorbed by the product in
closed containers depends on the rate of diffusion, which in turn depends
very much on the temperature and relative humidity. Under unfavourable
storage conditions, this may lead to the formation of hard aggregates in
the product, i. e. caking.
All the grades of sodium metabisulfite are readily soluble in water. In
aqueous solution they are in the form of sodium bisulfite, i.e. in the same
form as in our products Sodium Bisulfite Solution 38 40 % and FOOD
GRADE. However, the solution prepared in this way is of higher purity.
Sodium bisulfite solutions undergo oxidation on standing in air.

Table 1 Density and composition of sodium bisulfite solutions of


various concentrations
NaHSO 3
content

(g/100 g)
10
15
20
25
30
35
40

Temperature, C

NaHSO 3
Concentration

Density

(g/100 ml)

Amount of Na 2S 2O 5
Required for
Preparation
(g/100 ml)

10.59
16.50
22.86
29.75
37.23
45.19
53.80

9.67
15.07
20.88
27.18
34.01
41.27
49.14

105.9
110.0
114.3
119.0
124.1
129.1
134.5

(g/100 ml)

60

50

40

30

20

10

10
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Concentration, g/100 g
Fig. 1

Solubility of sodium metabisulfite in water

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
Property

Unit

Na 2S 2O 5

(g/100 g)

SO 2

(g/100 g)

pH (5 % solution)

NaCl

Typical Value

Limit

Test method

98.0

min. 97.2

ANSI PH 4.276 1980

66.0

min. 65.5

calc.

< 4.6

4.0 4.8

ISO 3627 1994 (E)

(mg/kg)

20

max. 50

RCA/Q-IC-01

Heavy metals as Pb

(mg/kg)

max. 10

AES BASF M 91/41

Iron

(mg/kg)

<5

max. 10

AAS BASF M 90/5

Na 2SO 3 + Na 2SO 4

remainder

calculated

Limit

Test method

Product specification RCA-NDS-E, Rev. 1, 01 Feb. 1999


Sodium Metabisulfite PHOTO GRADE
Property

Unit

Typical Value

Na 2S 2O 5

(g/100 g)

98.7

min. 98

ANSI PH 4.276 1980

SO 2

(g/100 g)

66.5

min. 66

calc.

pH (5 % solution)

4.4

4.0 4.5

ISO 3627 1994 (E)

Na 2S 2O 3

(g/100 g)

max. 0.04

RCA/Q-S-063

NaCl

(mg/kg)

20

max. 30

RCA/Q-IC-01

Heavy metals as Pb

(mg/kg)

max. 10

AES BASF M 91/41

Iron

(mg/kg)

<3

max. 5

AAS BASF M 90/5

Insoluble matter

(g/100 g)

< 0.01

max. 0.5

ANSI PH 4.276 1980

Na 2SO 3

(g/100 g)

<1

max. 1.5

ISO 3627 1994 (E)

Na 2SO 4

remainder

calculated

Product specification RCA-NDSPG-E, Rev. 1, 01 Feb. 1999

Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE


Property

Unit

Na 2S 2O 5

g/100 g

SO 2

g/100 g

pH (10 % solution)

NaCl

Typical value

Limit

Test method

98.0

min. 97.2

ANSI PH 4.276 1980

66.0

min. 65.5

calculated

< 4.6

4.0 4.8

RCA/Q-S-066

mg/kg

20

max. 50

RCA/Q-IC-01

Heavy metals as Pb

mg/kg

max. 10

AES BASF M 91/41

Iron

mg/kg

<3

max. 5

AAS BASF M90/5

Arsenic

mg/kg

< 0.1

<1

AAS BASF M90/7

Lead

mg/kg

< 0.1

<1

AAS BASF M90/5

Copper

mg/kg

<1

AAS BASF M90/5

Mercury

mg/kg

< 0.03

< 0.1

AAS BASF (cold vapour)

Selenium

mg/kg

< 0.1

<1

AAS BASF M90/8

Zinc

mg/kg

<1

AAS BASF M90/5

Na 2SO 3 + Na 2SO 4

remainder

calculated

Product specification RCA-NDSFG-E, Rev. 1, 01 Feb. 1999


Sodium Metabisulfite FOOD GRADE is approved in the EU according to
EC directive 96/77/EC (of Dec. 2, 1996) annex III part B (E No.: 223), for
use as a preservative and antioxidant in the foodstuffs listed therein, up to
the stated maximum amounts.
The product also complies with the requirements listed for sodium metabisulfite 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.
Sodium Bisulfite Solution 38 40 %
Property

Unit

NaHSO 3

(g/100 g)

SO 2

(g/100 g)

Density (at 20 C)

(kg/l)

Iron

(mg/kg)

Typical value

Limit

Test method

39.0

37.5 40.5

calculated

24.0

min. 23.1

RCA/Q-S-054

1.310 1.345

DIN 51757 (Similar)

max. 50

AAS BASF 90/5

1.330
< 20

Product specification RCA-NSL-E, Rev. 3, 06 Feb. 1999

Sodium Bisulfite Solution FOOD GRADE (E 222)


Property

Unit

Typical Value

Limit

Test method

NaHSO 3

(g/100 g)

39.0

38.0 40.0

RCA/Q-S-054

Na 2SO 3

(g/100 g)

max. 0.7

RCA/Q-S-054

Na 2SO 4

(g/100 g)

max. 1.5

RCA/Q-IC-01

Cl

(mg/kg)

max. 150

RCA/Q-IC-01

Density

(kg/l)

1.335

1.320 1.350

Based on DIN 51757

3.9 4.4

Based on DIN 19268

max. 20

AAS BASF M90/5

pH (as is)
Fe

(mg/kg)

< 10

Heavy metals as Pb
(Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn)

(mg/kg)

< 2 (each)

AES BASF M91/41

As

(mg/kg)

<1

AAS BASF M90/7

Se

(mg/kg)

<1

AAS BASF M90/8

Hg

(mg/kg)

< 0.05

AAS (cold vapour)

Product specification RCA-NSLFG-E, Rev. 3, 06 Feb. 1999


Chemical properties

Sodium metabisulfite is a strong reducing agent in aqueous solution. It


binds the oxygen dissolved in water and must therefore not be discharged
untreated into rivers and lakes, because it may seriously disrupt animal
and plant life.
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.
In drinking water treatment to remove excess chlorine.
In special cases to remove oxygen from boiler feed water.
In the treatment of wastewater, e.g. from electroplating plants, to neutralize
chromic acid; to remove excess chlorine in the neutralization of cyanide.
For cleaning and bleaching wool, jute and other vegetable fibres.
In textile dyeing and printing to prepare indigo vats and to solubilize other
dyes.
For solubilizing tanning extracts.
In the paper and pulp industry for bleaching ground wood.
In the photographic and film industry for preparing developer solutions, for
acidifying fixing baths.

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.

Safety advice

Sodium metabisulfite is not included as a hazardous substance in Annex I


of EC Directive 67/548/EEC.
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:
R 41
R 37
R 31
R 22
S 26

risk of serious damage to eyes


irritating to respiratory system
contact with acids liberates toxic gas
harmful if swallowed
in case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of
water and seek medical advice.

MAK for SO 2:
TLV for SO 2:

2 ppm = 5 mg/m 3
2 ppm = 5 mg/m 3

All grades of sodium metabisulfite fall under water hazard class 1.


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 25C and the relative humidity does not exceed 45 %.
If higher temperatures and/or higher humidities occur during storage, this
may lead to a decrease in the SO 2 content and the pH of the aqueous
solution. Similar effects are produced by wide variations in the storage
temperature. The chemical changes may be accompanied by the formation
of more or less hard agglomerates. Compression also causes caking for
example if pallets are stacked on top of one another.
Sodium Bisulfite Solution 38 40 % and Sodium Bisulfite Solution FOOD
GRADE have only limited stability: the solutions should be used up within a
short time. Sodium metabisulfite may crystallize out at temperatures below
10 C.

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 suitability 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.

Printed in Germany

BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Marketing Grundchemikalien
Petrochemikalien und Anorganika
67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany

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