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HOME / INGREDIENTS / Sodium nitrate


A

SODIUM NITRATE

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COMMONLY FOUND IN

cleaner, all-purpose/multi-surface drain opener, clog remover cleaner, barbeque/grill cleaner, disinfectant

SYNONYMS

SODIUM SALTPETER, SODA NITER, NITRIC ACID, SODIUM SALT, NITRATINE, NITRATE DE SODIUM (FRENCH), CUBIC NITER, CHILE SALTPETER, SODIUM SALT NITRIC ACID, NITRATE OF SODA, SODIUM NITRATE

Common Concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Asthma / Respiratory
  • LOW
    Skin Allergies & Irritation
  • LOW
    Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Environment


Top Scoring Factors

Safer ingredient; Low concern for general systemic/organ effects; general ecotoxicity; developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
Health Issue Level of Concern Source
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The International Agency for Research on Cancer reports this substance causes thyroid effects.

Only in: Food Scores®

high

2010. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Ingested nitrate and nitrite, and cyanobacterial peptide toxins. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans / World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer 94, v-vii, 1-412.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives reports that this substance causes adrenal gland effects in animals.

Only in: Food Scores®

high

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 2003. Safety evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 50, 2003, nos 1053-1071 on INCHEM.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives reports that this substance causes cardiac damage in animals.

Only in: Food Scores®

high

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 2003. Safety evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 50, 2003, nos 1053-1071 on INCHEM.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer reports this substance is probably carcinogenic to humans when ingested.

Only in: Food Scores®

high

2010. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Ingested nitrate and nitrite, and cyanobacterial peptide toxins. IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans / World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer 94, v-vii, 1-412.

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives reports this substance shows limited evidence of carcinogenicity.

Only in: Food Scores®

moderate

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 2003. Safety evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 50, 2003, nos 1053-1071 on INCHEM.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives reports that this substance causes lung inflammation in animals.

Only in: Food Scores®

moderate

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 2003. Safety evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 50, 2003, nos 1053-1071 on INCHEM.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives reports that this substance decreases growth in animals at high doses.

Only in: Food Scores®

moderate

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 2003. Safety evaluation of certain food additives. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 50, 2003, nos 1053-1071 on INCHEM.

benign, health

low

Environmental Working Group. 2012. Established innocuous properties.

benign, environment

low

Environmental Working Group. 2012. Established innocuous properties.


Understanding scores

EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Healthy Cleaning ingredient hazard score, from A to F, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

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WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.



2

Products with This Ingredient

CVS Antibacterial Disinfectant Spray, Fresh Linen
CVS
Antibacterial Disinfectant Spray, Fresh Linen
LOW HAZARD
Drano Professional Strength Kitchen Crystals Clog Remover
Drano
Professional Strength Kitchen Crystals Clog Remover
HIGH HAZARD
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