Sodium Bicarbonate Toxicity

Sodium bicarbonate, which is also celled baking soda, is a commonly used chemical that people and animals are often exposed to in food and household products. No significant risks are associated with its normal use, but problems can arise for humans who consume it in large amounts and for fish in high levels of the substance.

Features

• Sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline powder with a slightly salty taste.

Exposure

• It is added to animal feed and human food, and it also is an ingredient in some pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and cleaning products. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that about 2 million tons of sodium bicarbonate were used in 2001.

Human Health

• According to UNEP, no evidence shows that inhalation or ingestion of sodium bicarbonate in reasonable amounts has any adverse effect on human health, even over the long term. Consuming very large amounts of sodium bicarbonate can be harmful, however. It can cause the stomach to rupture due to excessive production of gas, and it can result in reversible hypernatremia, cyanosis and metabolic alkalosis.

Environment

• Sodium bicarbonate can be introduced to the environment during its production or use, although it usually is removed whether by being eaten and digested or in a treatment plant for waste water.

Aquatic Health

• Sodium and bicarbonate are natural parts of the aquatic environment. Extremely high levels can be toxic for fish, though, probably due to same effect that all salts have on osmosis.