SODIUM FORMATE

SODIUM FORMATE

CAS No. : 141-53-7
EC No. : 205-488-0

Synonyms:
Sodium methanoate; formic acid, sodium salt; sodium hydrocarbon dioxide; Sodium acetate; SODIUM FORMATE; 141-53-7; Formic acid, sodium salt; Formic acid sodium salt; Salachlor; sodium;formate; Formic acid, sodium salt (1:1); FORMIC ACID, NA SALT; Sodium formate, refined; sodium formiate; Mravencan sodny [Czech]; CCRIS 1037; HSDB 744; UNII-387AD98770; EINECS 205-488-0; MFCD00013101; NSC 77457; CHEBI:62965; Sodium formate, 99%; 387AD98770; Sodium formate, ACS reagent; Mravencan sodny; Sodium Formate; E237; sodium-formate; sodium carbanate; Sodium methanoate; HCOONa; CHNaO2; HCO2Na; Sodium formate, ACS min; ACMC-1C1QP; Sodium formate, ACS grade; EC 205-488-0; KSC178M9D; Sodium formate 141-53-7; SODIUM FORMATE WT PWD/ACS GRD 100G; Q409209; formic acid; Methanoic acid; 64-18-6; Formylic acid; Aminic acid; Bilorin; Hydrogen carboxylic acid; Formisoton; Myrmicyl; Formira; Collo-bueglatt; Collo-didax; Acide formique; Add-F; Ameisensaeure; C1 acid; RCRA waste number U123; Spirit of formic acid; Formic acid (natural); Mierenzuur [Dutch]; Mierenzuur; Kwas metaniowy; Acido formico; Ameisensaeure [German]; Kyselina mravenci; Acide formique [French]; Acido formico [Italian]; Kwas metaniowy [Polish]; Kyselina mravenci [Czech]; HCOOH; Ameisensaure; FEMA No. 2487; CCRIS 6039; Sybest; EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 214900; AI3-24237; RCRA waste no. U123; Methanoic acid monomer; SODIUM FORMATE; hydroxidooxidocarbon(.); HCO2H; EINECS 200-579-1; MFCD00003297; Wonderbond Hardener M 600L; CHEBI:30751; aminate; formylate; Formic acid [UN1779] [Corrosive]; Formic Acid, 88%; 0.1% FA in Water; hydrogen carboxylate; 0.1% FA in water,; 0.1% FA in ACN; 0.1% FA in ACN,; Formic acid, 88%, ACS reagent; Formic acid, 97%, ACS reagent; Formicum acidum; 0.1% Formic Acid in Water (v/v); Cal-Ex™ II Fixative/Decalcifier; 0.1% Formic Acid in Acetonitrile (v/v); 992-98-3; CH2O2; Amasil; forrnic acid; methoic acid; TBF; Formic acid anhydrous; Formic acid, natural; H-COOH; Formic Acid, ACS Grade; ACMC-1B5TQ; bmse000203; EC 200-579-1; Formic acid, 95-97%; $l^{1}-oxidanylformaldehyde; Formic acid, 98+%, pure; Formic acid, p.a., 85%; KSC353I1B; Formic Acid (Fragrance Grade); Formic acid, AR, >=90%; Formic acid, AR, >=98%; Formic acid, LR, >=85%; Formic acid, LR, >=98%; SODIUM FORMATE; Formic acid, purum, >=85%; O[C]=O; Formic Acid (Industrial Grade); Formic acid, 99%, for analysis; BCP23013; Formic acid, >=95%, FCC, FG; Formic acid, technical grade, 85%; ANW-43808; Formic Acid 88% Reagent Grade ACS; Formic acid, ACS reagent, >=96%; STL264243; Formic acid [UN1779] [Corrosive]; Formic acid, reagent grade, >=95%; Formic acid solution, 1.0M in water; Formic acid, ACS reagent, 88-91%; Water with 0.1% Formic Acid (v/v); CCG-266004; DB01942; LS-1540; MCULE-7175589186; UN 1779; Formic acid, ACS reagent, >=96.0%; NCGC00248718-01; BP-21436; E236; SC-22724; DB-029851; F0513; F0654; Formic acid, JIS special grade, >=98.0%; Formic acid, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 95%; Sodium Formate; Formic acid, SAJ first grade, 88.0-89.5%; Formic acid solution, BioUltra, 1.0 M in H2O; A834666; Q161233; Formic acid, p.a., ACS reagent, 98.0-100.0%; F1908-0082; Formate standard for IC, 1.000 g/L in H2O, analytical standard; Formic acid, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. Ph. Eur., >=98%; Formic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard; Formic acid, puriss., meets analytical specifications of DAC, FCC, 98.0-100%

Sodium Formate

Sodium formate, HCOONa, is the sodium salt of formic acid, HCOOH. It usually appears as a white deliquescent powder.

Properties
Chemical formula HCOONa
Molar mass 68.007 g/mol
Appearance white granules
deliquescent
Density 1.92 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point 253 °C (487 °F; 526 K)
Boiling point decomposes
Solubility in water 43.82 g/100 mL (0 °C)
97.2 g/100 mL (20 °C)
160 g/100 mL (100 °C)
Solubility insoluble in ether
soluble in glycerol, alcohol, formic acid

Preparation
For commercial use, sodium formate is produced by absorbing carbon monoxide under pressure in solid sodium hydroxide at 130 °C and 6-8 bar pressure:
CO + NaOH → HCO2Na

Because of the low-cost and large-scale availability of formic acid by carbonylation of methanol and hydrolysis of the resulting methyl formate, sodium formate is usually prepared by neutralizing formic acid with sodium hydroxide. Sodium formate is also unavoidably formed as a by-product in the final step of the pentaerythritol synthesis and in the crossed Cannizzaro reaction of formaldehyde with the aldol reaction product trimethylol acetaldehyde [3-hydroxy-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanal].

In the laboratory, sodium formate can be prepared by neutralizing formic acid with sodium carbonate. It can also be obtained by reacting chloroform with an alcoholic solution of sodium hydroxide.
CHCl3 + 4 NaOH → HCOONa + 3 NaCl + 2 H2O
or by reacting sodium hydroxide with chloral hydrate.

C2HCl3(OH)2 + NaOH → CHCl3 + HCOONa + H2O
The latter method is, in general, preferred to the former because the low aqueous solubility of CHCl3 makes it easier to separate out from the sodium formate solution, by fractional crystallization, than the soluble NaCl would be.

Sodium formate may also be created via the haloform reaction between ethanol and sodium hypochlorite in the presence of a base. This procedure is well documented for the preparation of chloroform.

Properties
Physical properties
Sodium formate crystallizes in a monoclinic crystal system with the lattice parameters a = 6,19 Å, b = 6,72 Å, c = 6,49 Å and β = 121,7°.[3]

Chemical properties
On heating, sodium formate decomposes to form sodium oxalate and hydrogen.[4] The resulting sodium oxalate can be converted by further heating to sodium carbonate upon release of carbon monoxide:
As a salt of a weak acid (formic acid) and a strong base (sodium hydroxide) sodium formate reacts in aqueous solutions basic:
A solution of formic acid and sodium formate can thus be used as a buffer solution.
Sodium formate is slightly water-hazardous and inhibits some species of bacteria but is degraded by others.

Uses
Sodium formate is used in several fabric dyeing and printing processes. It is also used as a buffering agent for strong mineral acids to increase their pH, as a food additive (E237), and as a de-icing agent.

In structural biology, sodium formate can be used as a cryoprotectant for X-ray diffraction experiments on protein crystals,[6] which are typically conducted at a temperature of 100 K to reduce the effects of radiation damage.
Sodium formate plays a role in the synthesis of formic acid, it is converted by sulfuric acid via the following reaction equation:

Sodium formate is converted with sulfuric acid to formic acid and sodium sulfate.
The urticating hair of stinging nettles contain sodium formate as well as formic acid.

Solid sodium formate is used as a non-corrosive agent at airports for de-icing of runways in mix with corrosion inhibitors and other additives, which rapidly penetrate solid snow and ice layers, detach them from the asphalt or concrete and melt the ice rapidly. Sodium formate was also used as a road deicer in the city of Ottawa from 1987 to 1988.

The high freezing point depression e.g. in comparison to the still frequently used urea (which is effective but problematic due to eutrophication) effectively prevents the re-icing, even at temperatures below −15 °C. The thawing effect of the solid sodium formate can even be increased by moistening with aqueous potassium formate or potassium acetate solutions. The degradability of sodium formate is particularly advantageous with a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 211 mg O2/g compared with the de-icing agents sodium acetate (740 mg O2/g) and urea with (> 2,000 mg O2/g).[8]

Saturated sodium formate solutions (as well as mixtures of other alkali metal formates such as potassium and cesium formate) are used as important drilling and stabilizing aids in gas and oil exploration because of their relatively high density. By mixing the corresponding saturated alkali metal formate solutions any densities between 1,0 and 2,3 g/cm3 can be set. The saturated solutions are biocidal and long-term stable against microbial degradation. Diluted, on the other hand, they are fast and completely biodegradable. As alkali metal formates as drilling aids make it unnecessary to add solid fillers to increase the density (such as barytes) and the formate solutions can be recovered and recycled at the drilling site, formates represent an important advance in exploration technology.

Applications
Biotechnological
Sodium formate is used as the carbon source for culturing bacteria. Sodium formate is also useful for increasing yields of DNA isolation by ethanol precipitation.

Industrial
Sodium formate is used in the textile industry to neutralize sulfuric acid waste streams and also as a photoresist while using aniline dyes. It is also a pickling agent in chrome tanning and helps to impede vulcanization of chloroprene in synthetic rubber production. In processing cotton for disposable cotton pads, Sodium formate is used to eliminate the buildup of static electricity.

Concrete longevity
Sodium formate is used to mitigate water damage to concrete by acting as a concrete sealant, while also being environmentally benign and cheaper than the commonly used epoxy alternative for sealing concrete against water permeation.[9]

Food
Sodium formate may be added to food as a seasoning, sometimes in the form of sodium diacetate, a one-to-one complex of Sodium formate and acetic acid,[10] given the E-number E262. It is often used to give potato chips a salt and vinegar flavor.[citation needed] Sodium formate (anhydrous) is widely used as a shelf-life extending agent, pH control agent[11] It is safe to eat at low concentration.[12]

Buffer solution
A solution of Sodium formate (a basic salt of acetic acid) and acetic acid can act as a buffer to keep a relatively constant pH level. This is useful especially in biochemical applications where reactions are pH-dependent in a mildly acidic range (pH 4–6).

Heating pad
A hand warmer containing a supersaturated solution of Sodium formate which releases heat upon crystallization
Sodium formate is also used in heating pads, hand warmers, and hot ice. Sodium formate trihydrate crystals melt at 136.4 °F/58 °C[13] (to 137.12 °F/58.4 °C),[14] dissolving in their water of crystallization. When they are heated past the melting point and subsequently allowed to cool, the aqueous solution becomes supersaturated. This solution is capable of cooling to room temperature without forming crystals. By pressing on a metal disc within the heating pad, a nucleation center is formed, causing the solution to crystallize back into solid Sodium formate trihydrate. The bond-forming process of crystallization is exothermic.[15] The latent heat of fusion is about 264–289 kJ/kg.[13] Unlike some types of heat packs, such as those dependent upon irreversible chemical reactions, a Sodium formate heat pack can be easily reused by immersing the pack in boiling water for a few minutes, until the crystals are completely dissolved, and allowing the pack to slowly cool to room temperature.

Preparation
A crystal of Sodium formate trihydrate (length 1.7 centimetres)
For laboratory use, Sodium formate is inexpensive and usually purchased instead of being synthesized. It is sometimes produced in a laboratory experiment by the reaction of acetic acid, commonly in the 5–8% solution known as vinegar, with sodium carbonate ("washing soda"), sodium bicarbonate ("baking soda"), or sodium hydroxide ("lye", or "caustic soda"). Any of these reactions produce Sodium formate and water. When a sodium and carbonate ion-containing compound is used as the reactant, the carbonate anion from sodium bicarbonate or carbonate, reacts with hydrogen from the carboxyl group (-COOH) in acetic acid, forming carbonic acid. Carbonic acid readily decomposes under normal conditions into gaseous carbon dioxide and water. This is the reaction taking place in the well-known "volcano" that occurs when the household products, baking soda and vinegar, are combined.

Sodium formate appears in sodium methylate at 0.3%
The slow decomposition in storage of 98-100% Sodium formate with liberation of carbon monoxide led to rupture of the sealed glass containers. In absence of gas leakage, a full 2.5 L bottle would develop a pressure of over 7 bar during 1 yr at 25 °C. Explosive decomposition of Sodium formate on a clean nickel ... surface was studied, using deuteroSodium formate. A full 1 L bottle of 96% Sodium formate burst when the ambient temp fell to -6 °C overnight and the contents froze and expanded. Gas pressure from previous partial decomposition may also have contributed.

Sodium formate decomposes slowly during storage and more rapidly under fire conditions, forming carbon monoxide.
Sodium formate is a reagent comprised of the organic chemical Sodium formate that cleaves proteins into peptides at the C- or N-terminal side of an aspartate residue.

Enzyme pathways involved in detoxification of hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, and Sodium formate, which are produced as a consequence of oxidative demethylation by the cytochrome P-450 system, were examined in isolated hepatocytes from phenobarbital pretreated rats. The formaldehyde produced during oxidative demethylation in isolated hepatocytes is rapidly oxidized to Sodium formate. Depletion of cellular reduced glutathione by pretreatment of rats with diethylmaleate decreases the rate of Sodium formate production, and therefore, it appears that formaldehyde produced by oxidative demethylation is oxidized by formaldehyde dehydrogenase, an enzyme which requires but does not consume reduced glutathione. Because of the rapid nonenzymatic reaction of formaldehyde with reduced glutathione, this enzyme system may be viewed as essential to prevent the loss of reduced glutathione due to S-hydroxymethylglutathione formation. Reduced glutathione concentration in isolated hepatocytes decreased rapidly following addition of substrates undergoing oxidative demethylation. Addition of other cytochrome P-450 substrates which do not undergo demethylation did not result in such a dramatic oxidation of reduced glutathione. Sodium formate, produced during oxidative demethylation acts as a substrate for the peroxidatic mode of catalase, but also binds to catalase as an anionic ligand. This binding decreases the catalase concentration detectable by cyanide titration and therefore appears to inhibit the catalytic reaction mode.

Synthesis of Sodium formate by hydrolysis of methyl formate is based on a two-stage process: in the first stage, methanol is carbonylated with carbon monoxide; in the second stage, methyl formate is hydrolyzed to Sodium formate and methanol.
Sodium formate is produced as a byproduct in the liquid-phase oxidation of hydrocarbons to acetic acid. In the United States, butane is used as the hydrocarbon, and ca. 50 kg of Sodium formate is produced per ton of acetic acid. In Europe, the oxidation of naphtha is preferred, and up to 250 kg of Sodium formate is produced per ton of acetic acid in this process.

The reaction of sodium formate or calcium formate with strong mineral acids, such as sulfuric and nitric acids, is the oldest known process for producing Sodium formate commercially. If formates or sodium hydroxide are available cheaply or occur as byproducts in other processes, Sodium formate can still be produced economically in this manner.
A method for analysis of Sodium formate in concentration of approx 0.2 mg/l in body fluids and tissues is described. Formate dehydrogenase analysis is done in two steps. In the first step, a 0.1 ml sample of blood, urine, or tissue extraction is mixed with 0.1 of 10 mmol/l nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide soln, 0.1 ml of potassium phosphate buffer, and 50 ul of formate dehydrogenase soln. The mixture is incubated for 15 min at 37 °C then 0.1 ml of diaphorase soln, 50 ul of resazurin soln and 0.5 ml of phosphate buffer (pH 6.00, 200 mmol/l) are added. Fluorescence is measured.

Indirect food substance additives affirmed as generally recognized as safe. (a) Sodium formate (CH2O2, CAS Reg. No. 64-18-6) is also referred to as methanoic acid or hydrogen carboxylic acid. It occurs naturally in some insects and is contained in the free acid state in a number of plants. Sodium formate is prepared by the reaction of sodium formate with sulfuric acid and is isolated by distillation. (b) Sodium formate is used as a constituent of paper and paperboard used for food packaging. (c) The ingredient is used at levels not to exceed good manufacturing practice in accordance with part 186.1(b)(1). (d) Prior sanctions for Sodium formate different from the uses established in this section do not exist or have been waived.

An examination of 12 fatalities attributed to methanol poisoning is presented. Six individuals were found deceased, and their postmortem methanol and Sodium formate concentrations ranged from 84 to 543 mg/dL and 64 to 110 mg/dL, respectively. In the other six individuals, hospital treatment such as bicarbonate, ethanol infusion, and hemodialysis was administered. Antemortem methanol and Sodium formate concentrations ranged from 68 to 427 mg/dL and 37 to 91 mg/dL, respectively, whereas corresponding postmortem methanol and Sodium formate levels ranged from undetectable to 49 mg/dL and undetectable to 48 mg/dL, respectively. Hospital treatment of Sodium formate toxicity resulted in significantly reduced postmortem methanol and Sodium formate concentrations

In 13-week studies, groups of 10 animals of each species and sex were exposed to Sodium formate at concentrations of 0, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 ppm for 6 hr a day, 5 days a week. Two mice, 1 male and 1 female, died in the 128 ppm groups. Body weight gains were significantly decreased in mice exposed to 64 and 128 ppm Sodium formate. Microscopic changes in rats and mice ranged from minimal to mild in severity and generally were limited to animals in the 128 ppm groups. Lesions related to exposure to Sodium formate consisted of squamous metaplasia and degeneration of the respiratory and olfactory epithelia, respectively. Hematologic and serum biochemical changes at interim and terminal time points were minimal to mild and, generally, were consistent with hemoconcentration.

Sodium formate's production and use as a preservative in foods and silage; acidulant in dyeing of natural and synthetic fibers, leather tanning; coagulating latex in rubber production, and in chemical synthesis may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Its use in hydrofracking to prevent pipe corrosion and application to freshly cut grass prior to ensilation will result in its direct release to the environment. Sodium formate occurs in fruits, vegetables, and leaves and roots of plants, and also in the defensive secretions of numerous insects, particularly of ants. Sodium formate is an intermediary human metabolite that is immediately transformed to formate. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 42.6 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates Sodium formate will exist solely as a vapor in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase Sodium formate will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 36 days. Sodium formate does not absorb at wavelengths >290 nm and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight. If released to soil, Sodium formate is expected to have very high mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 1. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon a Henry's Law constant of 1.67X10-7 atm-cu m/mole. The pKa of Sodium formate is 3.75, indicating that this compound will primarily exist in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts. Sodium formate may volatilize from dry soil surfaces based upon its vapor pressure. Theoretical BOD values ranging from 4.3% to 77.6% after 5 days using sewage, activated sludge, fresh water, and synthetic sea water inocula indicate that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in soil and water. If released into water, Sodium formate is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's Henry's Law constant. Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 150 and 1,100 days, respectively. An estimated BCF of 3.2 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Hydrolysis is not expected to be an important environmental fate process since this compound lacks functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions. Occupational exposure to Sodium formate may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where Sodium formate is produced or used. Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to Sodium formate via inhalation of ambient air, ingestion of food, and dermal contact with this compound in consumer products containing Sodium formate as well as when stung by certain insects and marine cnidarians.

Sodium formate occurs in fruits, vegetables, and leaves and roots of plants(1), and also in the defensive secretions of numerous insects, particularly of ants(2). It is also an intermediate product in the decomposition of organic matter in lake sediment(3) and a photooxidation product of alkanes, alkenes, and biogenic terpenes by hydroxyl-radical(4,5). Sodium formate is an intermediary human metabolite that is immediately transformed to formate(6).

Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -0.54(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that Sodium formate is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of Sodium formate is 3.75(4), indicating that this compound will primarily exist in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5). Volatilization of Sodium formate from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 1.67X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(6). Sodium formate is expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 42.6 mm Hg(7). Theoretical BOD values ranging from 4.3% to 77.6% after 5 days using sewage and activated sludge inocula(8-13) indicate that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), Sodium formate, which has a vapor pressure of 42.6 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase Sodium formate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 36 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 4.5X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Sodium formate does not absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Sodium formate biodegrades readily in screening tests(1-9). Specific results include: 4.3 and 38.8% of theoretical BOD after 5 and 10 days using a sewage inoculum(1); 43.7-77.6% of theoretical BOD after 5 days with a sewage inoculum(2); 70% of theoretical BOD in 24 hours using activated sludge(3); 66% of theoretical BOD in 12 hours using an activated sludge inoculum(4); 39.9% of theoretical BOD in 24 hours with activated sludge(5); 48 and 51% of theoretical BOD after 5 days with unacclimated and acclimated sewage inoculum, respectively(6); and 40.5 and 51.7% of theoretical BOD after 5 days with sewage inocula in fresh water and synthetic seawater, respectively(7). Microorganisms are present in the air that can degrade formate in rainwater(8). Sodium formate, present at 100 mg/L, reached 110% of its theoretical BOD in 2 weeks using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L in the Japanese MITI test(9).

The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of Sodium formate with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals is 4.5X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(1). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 36 days at an atmospheric concentration of 5X10+5 hydroxyl radicals per cu cm(2). Sodium formate is not expected to undergo hydrolysis in the environment due to the lack of hydrolyzable functional groups(3). Sodium formate does not absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). The anhydrous acid catalyzes its own esterification with alcohols and polyols, but often also promotes dehydration to the ether or olefin(5). Anhydrous Sodium formate decomposes to carbon monoxide and water(6). Reactions between hydroxyl radicals and Sodium formate occur in cloud water. During daylight hours, aqueous-phase hydroxyl radical reactions can both produce and destroy Sodium formate in cloud drops and may control the Sodium formate levels in rain(7).

The Koc of Sodium formate is estimated as 1(SRC), using a log Kow of -0.54(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that Sodium formate is expected to have very high mobility in soil. The pKa of Sodium formate is 3.75(4), indicating that this compound will primarily exist in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(5).

The Henry's Law constant for Sodium formate is 1.67X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that Sodium formate is expected to volatilize from water surfaces(2). Based on this Henry's Law constant, the volatilization half-life from a model river (1 m deep, flowing 1 m/sec, wind velocity of 3 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 150 days(SRC). The volatilization half-life from a model lake (1 m deep, flowing 0.05 m/sec, wind velocity of 0.5 m/sec)(2) is estimated as 1100 days(SRC). Sodium formate's Henry's Law constant indicates that volatilization from moist soil surfaces may occur(SRC). The potential for volatilization of Sodium formate from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 42.6 mm Hg(3).

Concentrations of Sodium formate in the Ohio River, Little Miami River and Tannes Creek were 12-39 ppb, 18.4-25.2 ppb, and 22.3 ppb, respectively(1). In Lake Kizaki in Japan, surface concentration of Sodium formate was 115 ppb(2). Although the concentration varied with depth (0-28 m) between 0 and 115 ppb, the variation was not a smoothly decreasing one(2).

The volume-weighted average concentration of Sodium formate in Venezuelan rains was 7 uM in the continental region(1). Sodium formate was detected in 14 wet precipitation samples collected from 9 sites in southern California between 1982 and 1984 with concentrations ranging from 0.18 uM in snow from rural Wrightwood to 15.85 uM in rain from urban Los Angeles, and an average concentration of 4.12 uM(2). Six in-cloud precipitation samples collected from a cloud in Shenandoah National Park, VA during September 1990 had an average Sodium formate concentration of 8.3 uM(3). Precipitation samples collected at two Wisconsin lakes on the Wisconsin Acid Deposition Monitoring Network contained Sodium formate concentrations ranging from the detection limit of 20 ppb to 2,576 ppb, median 382 ppb(4). The average volume-weighted concentration of Sodium formate in rainwater in a study (154 measurements) at Wilmington, NC was 7.4 umol/L and contributed 19% of the rainwater's acidity(5). Fogwater in Corvallis, OR had a median and high Sodium formate concentration of 61 and 133 umol/L, respectively(6).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 158,933 workers (37,338 of these were female) were potentially exposed to Sodium formate in the US(1). The NOES Survey does not include farm workers. Occupational exposure to Sodium formate may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where Sodium formate is produced or used(SRC). Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to Sodium formate via inhalation of ambient air, ingestion of food, and dermal contact with this compound in consumer products containing Sodium formate as well as when stung by certain insects and marine cnidarians(SRC).

Sodium Formate is generally immediately available in most volumes. High purity, submicron and nanopowder forms may be considered. American Elements produces to many standard grades when applicable, including Mil Spec (military grade); ACS, Reagent and Technical Grade; Food, Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Grade; Optical Grade, USP and EP/BP (European Pharmacopoeia/British Pharmacopoeia) and follows applicable ASTM testing standards. Typical and custom packaging is available. Additional technical, research and safety (MSDS) information is available as is a Reference Calculator for converting relevant units of measurement.

About Sodium formate
Helpful information
Sodium formate is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 100 000 to < 1 000 000 tonnes per annum.

Sodium formate is used by consumers, in articles, by professional workers (widespread uses), in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.

Consumer Uses
Sodium formate is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, polishes and waxes and water treatment chemicals.
Other release to the environment of Sodium formate is likely to occur from: indoor use as processing aid.

Article service life
Other release to the environment of Sodium formate is likely to occur from: outdoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. metal, wooden and plastic construction and building materials) and indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment). Sodium formate can be found in products with material based on: leather (e.g. gloves, shoes, purses, furniture) and metal (e.g. cutlery, pots, toys, jewellery).

Widespread uses by professional workers
Sodium formate is used in the following products: washing & cleaning products, laboratory chemicals, anti-freeze products and water treatment chemicals.
Sodium formate is used in the following areas: mining, health services and municipal supply (e.g. electricity, steam, gas, water) and sewage treatment.
Other release to the environment of Sodium formate is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use.

Formulation or re-packing
Sodium formate is used in the following products: leather treatment products, laboratory chemicals and washing & cleaning products.
Release to the environment of Sodium formate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, formulation in materials and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Other release to the environment of Sodium formate is likely to occur from: indoor use as reactive substance.

Uses at industrial sites
Sodium formate is used in the following products: leather treatment products, heat transfer fluids, pH regulators and water treatment products and anti-freeze products.
Sodium formate is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging, mining and printing and recorded media reproduction.
Sodium formate is used for the manufacture of: textile, leather or fur.
Release to the environment of Sodium formate can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites, in the production of articles, as processing aid, of substances in closed systems with minimal release, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and formulation of mixtures.
Other release to the environment of Sodium formate is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners).

Manufacture
Release to the environment of Sodium formate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance and as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates).