Key Points

Fire

• Non-flammable
• Reacts with combustible and reducing materials
• Emits toxic fumes of sodium oxide and oxygen when heated to decomposition

Health

• Toxic by inhalation, ingestion and skin contact.
• CHIP: Oxidising, carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxin, very toxic, harmful and corrosive
• Inhalation causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Cough, chest pain, chronic rhinitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis have been reported. Bronchial asthma and pulmonary oedema may occur and can delayed for up 72 hours.
• Ingestion causes abdominal pain, haematemesis and bloody diarrhoea with circulatory collapse. Renal failure may develop 12-24 hours post exposure. Convulsions, hepatic failure and coma with encephalopathy may develop
• Dermal exposure causes skin irritation and burns. Systemic toxicity may also occur
• Ocular exposure causes pain, blepharospasm, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, palpebral oedema and photophobia.

Environment

• Dangerous for the environment/Avoid release into the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

All sections are available to download in PDF format.

• Incident Management (PDF, 154 KB)
  Sodium Dichromate - Incident Management
  Added/updated: 24 May 2011