Potassium nitrite
Agent Name
Potassium nitrite
CAS Number
7758-09-0
Formula
N-O2.K
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
Nitrous acid, potassium salt; Potassium nitrite; UN1488; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Nitrates and Nitrites
Description
White to slightly yellow granules; [CHEMINFO MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Used as a food preservative, analytical reagent, and medicine; Used to synthesize organic chemicals; [HSDB]
Comments
Strong irritant of the skin and eyes; As an oxidizer, it enhances burning of combustible materials; [CHEMINFO MSDS] Has caused cases of methemoglobinemia when well water was contaminated by fertilizer; [HSDB] See "NITRATES and NITRITES."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (mice) = 85,000 mg/m3/2H
Adverse Effects
Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.