Is Sodium Nitrite safe in cosmetics?
Sodium Nitrite has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: permitted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Sodium Nitrite
Also known as: Nitrous acid, sodium salt, Anti-Rust, Nitrous Acid Soda, Caswell No. 782, Diazotizing salts (+10 more)
INCI: SODIUM NITRITE
Sodium Nitrite (CAS 7632-00-0) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Anticorrosive. NOAEL 130 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 7632-00-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Sodium Nitrite is classified GHS Danger (H272, H301, H319, H400, H341, H361, H362, H370) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu status; Chemicals: ghs classifications.signal word/hazard statement code
Function
Anticorrosive
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
sodium nitrite
InChIKey
LPXPTNMVRIOKMN-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted in cosmetics with restrictions; recognized as corrosion inhibitor
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sodium Nitrite.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Sodium Nitrite. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 10 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 13 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 14 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Neurotoxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 20 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Special Toxicology Study | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 23 mg/kg bw/day | oral | hamster | Developmental | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 25 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Immunotoxicology | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 30.5 mg/kg bw/day | oral | hamster | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 46 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 50 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 51 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Carcinogenicity | COSMOS DB |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the cardiovascular system and blood. This may result in lower blood pressure and the formation of methaemoglobin. Exposure could cause death. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Sodium Nitrite across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMDL | =9.63 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EFSA |
| NOEL | =100 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | acute | ECOTOX |
| LEL | =40 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =30 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =445 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =445 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =345 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =40 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =35 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
| LEL | =45 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | chronic | EPA ToxRefDB |
EU CLP Annex VI Harmonized Classification
Legally binding harmonized classification per Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) Annex VI.
Signal Word
Danger
Pictograms
OxidiserAcute ToxicityEnvironmental Hazard
Hazard Class and Category
Ox. Sol. 3; Acute Tox. 3 *; Aquatic Acute 1
Hazard Statements
- H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser
- H301 Toxic if swallowed
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life
Specific Concentration Limits / M-factors
*
Inserted via ATP: CLP00
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100,000 - 1,000,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Hazard classification: Restricted (Annex XVII)
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
SA Saudi SFDA (III - Restricted)
Product type: Rust inhibitor. Max: 0.002.
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Restricted · max 0.002
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (3)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN | restricted | 0.2 | cosmetics for use in combination with secondary amines |
| BR | restricted | 0.2 | Corrosion inhibitor only |
| ASEAN | restricted | 0.2% | Rust inhibitor in aerosol products |
PubChem Annotations
Safety and regulatory annotations from PubChem (NCBI) aggregated sources.
Safety (6)
Carcinogen Classification
Ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). (L135)
Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
Carcinogen Classification
Sodium Nitrite | TR-495: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Sodium Nitrite (CASRN 7632-00-0) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Drinking Water Studies) (2001 ) | 05/18/00 | No Evidence | No Evidence | No Evidence | Equivocal Evidence | Under the conditions of this 2-year drinking water study, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of sodium nitrite in male or female F344/N rats
Source: NTP Technical Reports
Evidence for Carcinogenicity
There is limited evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of nitrite in food. Nitrite in food is associated with an increased incidence of stomach cancer. ...There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of nitrite in combination with amines or amides. There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of nitrite per se. Overall evaluation:
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Endocrine Disruptors
Potential endocrine disrupting compound
Source: NORMAN Suspect List Exchange
ICSC Safety Card
1120
Source: WHO/JECFA
Regulatory (2)
JECFA Evaluation
SODIUM NITRITE | 2002 | 0-0.07 mg/kg bw | Evaluated as nitrite and expressed as nitrite ion. ADI applies to all sources of intake but not to infants below the age of 3 months. JECFA established an ADI of 0-0.07 mg/kg/bw, expressed as nitrite ion, on the basis of the NOEL of 6.7 mg/kg bw/day for effects on the heart and lung in a 2-year study in rats and a safety factor of 100. Nitrite causes methe
Source: WHO/JECFA
EU Food Improvement
Food additives
Source: EU Food Improvement Agents
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Antioxidant
Biocide
Corrosion inhibitor
Dye
Flavouring and nutrient
Food preservative
Pharmaceutical
Preservative
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Propellants
Regulatory List Membership (2)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Sodium Nitrite.
Regulatory Flags
endocrine_disruptor
fda_food_additive
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Sodium Nitrite by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
35
Lowest NOAEL
10 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
565 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS DB
ECHA
Known Synonyms
Nitrous acid, sodium salt
Anti-Rust
Nitrous Acid Soda
Caswell No. 782
Diazotizing salts
EINECS 231-555-9
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 076204
NCI-C02084
NSC 77391
Azotyn sodowy
Dusitan sodny
UNII-M0KG633D4F
NaNO2
Natrium nitrit
Nitrito sodico
Chemical Function
Corrosion inhibitor
Pharmaceutical
Food preservative
Biocide
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Regulatory Lists
Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe
Canada; consumer_product; Substances in Products - Canada (4/2014)
Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
pharmaceutical
pharmaceutical
pharmaceutical
pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; Europe; Pesticides
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
Europe; Vehicle - car interior
Europe; Personal care; restricted
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
SODIUM NITRITE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL93268
Max Phase
4
Adverse Event Associations
4
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Nitrite allowed in the EU?
Sodium Nitrite EU regulatory status: restricted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sodium Nitrite do in cosmetics?
Sodium Nitrite functions as: Anticorrosive. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 7632-00-0.
What is the NOAEL for Sodium Nitrite?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Sodium Nitrite is 10 mg/kg bw/day based on a Developmental study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Sodium Nitrite used outside cosmetics?
Sodium Nitrite also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Sodium Nitrite have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Sodium Nitrite is classified GHS Danger (H272, H301, H319, H400, H341, H361, H362, H370) in the chemicals database but is restricted in EU cosmetics.
Compliance Tools
Check Sodium Nitrite compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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