Sodium formate sources, health risks
Thursday, November 02, 2017 by Michelle Simmons
http://www.naturalpedia.com/sodium-formate-sources-health-risks.html
Sodium formate is a white crystalline powder. It is the sodium salt of formic acid. Sodium formate chemically lessens other components through donating an electron or more. Formic acid and oxalic acid are produced from sodium formate.
According to an entry by Sodium-Formate.com, there are several uses for sodium formate. One of its functions include being a reductive bleaching agent. Sodium formate is used in dyeing and printing processes in some types of fabric. It enhances the brightness and color of dyeing or printing fabrics and paper. The compound is also used in the tanning of leather. Sodium formate stabilizes the chromium, which results to a better leather quality. Moreover, it is used for better penetration and tanning time reduction. Sodium formate is also used as a deicing chemical. The chemical is less corrosive and goes through fast melting action relative to other deicing chemicals. In addition, sodium formate is used as a buffering agent for strong mineral acids, which increases their pH levels. The chemical also improves the desulfurization efficiency as well as increases the lime absorbent utilization. Sodium formate is also used as a food additive. Sodium formate is also used as a builder or an enzyme stabilizer in liquid detergents. Furthermore, it is used in dyeing, electroplating, and silage preservation. Moreover, the compound is used in the production of sodium hydrosulfite, which is a common reductive bleaching chemical.
Sodium formate is synonymous to formic acid, sodium salt; formate de sodium; Mravencan sodny; natrium formate; and salachlor.
The chemical has a molecular formula of CHNaO2.
Harmful effects that can be caused by sodium formate
There are a few harmful effects that sodium formate can cause in the body. Long exposure to sodium formate may cause diuresis, methemoglobinemia, albuminuria, and hematuria, although these harmful effects are not well documented. Large doses of sodium formate may also cause cardiac depression.
Body systems harmed by sodium formate
There are a few body systems harmed by sodium formate. Sodium formate is harmful for the respiratory system as inhalation of its dust particles can cause irritation in the respiratory tract. Symptoms of respiratory tract irritation may include sore throat, coughing, and shortness of breath. The chemical is also bad for the digestive system because it can cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. Its symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sodium formate is harmful for the integumentary system. When its particles come in contact with the skin, it may also cause irritation with symptoms of redness, itching, and pain. Sodium formate is harmful for the ocular system when its particles come in contact with the eyes for it may cause irritation, redness, and pain.
Where to learn more
Summary
Sodium formate, a white crystalline powder, is the sodium salt of formic acid. It is used in dyeing and printing fabrics and papers and tanning of leather. It is used as a deicing chemical, buffering agent, food additive, and builder or enzyme stabilizer for liquid detergents.
Sodium formate may cause diuresis, methemoglobinemia, albuminuria, hematuria, and cardiac depression.
Contact with sodium formate can cause irritations in the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and eyes.
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