sodium nitrite

American  

noun

1. Chemistry. a yellowish or white crystalline compound, NaNO 2 , soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol and ether: used in the manufacture of dyes and as a color fixative.

2. Nutrition. this compound added to food as a preservative and for flavor and color, especially in pork, fish, and beef products: implicated in the formation of suspected carcinogens.

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Etymology

Origin of sodium nitrite

First recorded in 1900–05

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sodium nitrite

Alongside efforts to restrict access and harmful information, the researchers suggest that emergency services could take additional steps to reduce the consequences of sodium nitrite poisoning.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 15, 2026

Westminster Coroners’ Court heard Elena Ali and Sunny Parker-Propst were both given sodium nitrite instead of sodium bicarbonate in 2020 while under the care of staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2024

Scientists have also studied poisons such as sodium nitrite, but they risk harming other species.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2023

"Kristine and Ethan's fates were undisputedly tragic, but the court can only conclude that they necessarily knew the dangers of bodily injury and death associated with ingesting sodium nitrite," Robart wrote.

From Reuters ● Jun. 28, 2023

And it must also be remembered that the introduction of these azo-colours has necessitated the manufacture on a large scale of sodium nitrite as a source of nitrous acid.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Raphael Meldola

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