Sodium benzoate

Synonyms

Benzoic acid, sodium salt; Antimol; Benzoan sodny [Czech]; Benzoate of soda; Benzoate sodium; Benzoesaeure (na-salz) [German]; Natrium benzoicum; Sobenate; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Organic Acids, Metal Salts

Description

White odorless solid; [Merck Index] Hygroscopic; [ICSC] White powder; [MSDSonline]

Sources/Uses

Used as an intermediate and preservative (foods, pharmaceuticals, lotions, mouthwashes, and water-based paint); [HSDB] Used as flavoring agent, adjuvant in foods, clinical reagent (bilirubin assay), and diagnostic aid (hepatic function); [Merck Index] Used as corrosion inhibitor in engine cooling systems; [CHEMINFO]

Comments

A mild eye irritant; [ICSC] Rats fed sodium benzoate at 8% of their diet for 90 days showed less weight gain and other physiological changes; [HSDB] May cause temporary hives; [CHEMINFO] Can cause non-immunological contact urticaria; [Kanerva, p. 219] Rapidly absorbed and excreted in the urine as hippuric acid; [Reference #1] TLV Basis: kidney changes; [ACGIH] May cause irritation; [MSDSonline]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

2.5 mg/m3, inhalable particulate matter, measured as benzoate

Explanatory Notes

VP = <0.007; [ACGIH]

Yes

Not Suspected

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Contact urticaria

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)