Potential Exposure
This material has been used as a nonselective herbicide and for general weed control.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give a slurry of activated charcoal in water to drink and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures. Rush to health care facility.
Shipping
UN1688 Sodium cacodylate Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials. UN3465 Organoarsenic compound, solid, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with oxidizers, strong bases; acids, active metals (iron, aluminum, zinc). Contact with acids react to form highly toxic dimethylarsine gas. Attacks some metals.
Chemical Properties
Sodium cacodylate is a white crystalline solid which occurs as the trihydrate. It liquefies in the water of hydration @ 60°C and becomes anhydrous @ 120°C.
Waste Disposal
For cacodylic acid, precipitate as calcium arsenate and calcium arsenite by treatment with excess lime water. Recycle if possible. If not, put in secure storage for possible disposal in leach-proof dumps. In accordance with 40CFR165, follow recommendations for the disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers. Must be disposed properly by following package label directions or by contacting your local or federal environmental control agency, or by contacting your regional EPA office.
Uses
Sodium cacodylate trihydrate has been used as a buffer to fix cells for transmission electron microscopy and as a buffer to fix cells for scanning electron microscopy.
Uses
Sodium cacodylate trihydrate has been used in the stabilization of the fixatives for electron microscopy. It has also been used to collect vibratome sections to perform nucleoside-diphosphatase technique.
Biological Functions
Cacodylic acid sodium salt is used as a buffer (pH buffering range of 5.1 - 7.4), especially for bactericidal buffers used in electron microscopy. The buffering capacity of cacodylate prevents excess acidity that may result from tissue fixation. It is also used in protein crystallisation.
General Description
Sodium cacodylate is an organic arsenic compound that is metabolized to produce inorganic, trivalent arsenicin vivo. Sodium cacodylate has been used as a source of arsenic in toxicological research. It is used as a buffer with an effective pH buffering range of 5.1-7.4. In microscopy studies, the buffering capacity of cacodylate prevents excess acidity that may result from tissue fixation.
