Sodium nitrite facts for kids
Sodium nitrite is a chemical compound. It is made up of two main parts: sodium and nitrite ions. Its chemical formula is NaNO2. This means each molecule has one sodium atom, one nitrogen atom, and two oxygen atoms.
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What is Sodium Nitrite Like?
Sodium nitrite usually looks like a white or yellowish powder made of tiny crystals. It is a strong oxidizing agent, which means it can take electrons from other substances. When it does this, it changes into nitrogen. It can also be a weak reducing agent, meaning it can give electrons away. When it does this, it changes into nitrate. In large amounts, sodium nitrite can be harmful.
Where is it Found?
You can find small amounts of sodium nitrite naturally in some vegetables. It is also present in tiny amounts in some meats. Most of the sodium nitrite we encounter is made by people for different uses.
How is Sodium Nitrite Used?
Sodium nitrite is often used to help preserve meat products like ham, bacon, and hot dogs. It works as a disinfectant, which means it helps stop harmful bacteria from growing in the meat. This keeps the meat safe to eat for longer.
Almost all processed meats, like cold cuts and hot dogs, contain nitrites. Some people might get headaches after eating foods with nitrites. These are sometimes called "hot dog headaches."
Besides food, sodium nitrite is also used to make other chemicals. It can even be used as an antidote if someone is poisoned by cyanide.
Is Sodium Nitrite Safe?
When nitrites are heated to very high temperatures, they can sometimes form other chemicals that might be harmful. These chemicals are called carcinogens, which means they could potentially cause cancer. Because of this, some people prefer foods without nitrites.
However, others argue that nitrites are important in food because they kill dangerous bacteria. This helps prevent serious food poisoning. To make sure people don't confuse sodium nitrite with salt or sugar, the sodium nitrite used in food is colored bright pink. This makes it easy to tell apart from other common kitchen ingredients.
Related pages
Images for kids
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15N isotope enriched NaNO2
See also
In Spanish: Nitrito de sodio para niños
