Sodium nitrite (decomp., Correctly - sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite) is used in industry as a food additive (as a preservative). It has a carcinogenic effect (according to some representatives of medicine, it can provoke cancer). Sodium nitrite in sausage and some other (mainly meat) products is known as E-250.
Preservatives of this type have an index from E-200 to E-229. They prevent (or rather, significantly slow down) the reproduction of fungi and various bacteria. The substance is used not only in meat products, but also in winemaking - as a means of stopping the maturation of wine (disinfectant).
Sodium nitrite is a crystalline (from light yellow to white) powder. Hygroscopic, highly soluble in water. When exposed to oxygen (not hermetically sealed), it gradually oxidizes to NaNO3 (sodium nitrate). Very strong reducing agent. Toxic
As a result of research, it turned out: sodium nitrite, interacting with amino acids, gives a carcinogen when heated, which can provoke the development of cancers, including bowel cancer and obstructive pulmonary disease.
Why, being so dangerous, is sodium nitrite present in products that enter markets and stores? In industry, it is used for the following purposes:
- as an antioxidant that gives a “natural” color to meat and fish;
- to change the heat treatment mode (instead of 100 ° C, processing at 72 ° C becomes sufficient - the savings are impressive);
- as an antibacterial drug against Clostridium botulinum (botulism pathogen). By the way, the latter becomes the culprit of severe intoxication, leading to damage to the nervous system.
The lack of additives will give the products ugly shades from greenish to brownish gray - colors that are clearly not an appetite. Of this "beauty", not everyone would want to make a cut, and even less so
to inform her guests. However, even this is not the main thing. No other drug can stop the growth of harmful bacteria. It turns out that you can’t do without the E-250 yet. How to be Cook yourself! What you cook yourself will be definitely fresh and definitely without additives. And the offered factory delicacies can spoil oneself only occasionally and in modest amounts. In this case, you can not worry about the fact that sodium nitrite will cause harm to health.
Sodium nitrite (GOST 19906-74, m OSH 4-7-3) is added to concrete and structures as an inhibitor of AK (atmospheric corrosion); used in organic synthesis; is in demand in the pulp and paper, metallurgy, medical, chemical industries.
NaNO2 is present in diazo dyes, it is used for dyeing natural fabrics (including bleached), in the production of rubbers, during phosphating (during metal processing), for removing tin. Photographers using antioxidants for developing images are very familiar with it. With a reasonable approach, sodium nitrite becomes an excellent medicine that relieves intestinal cramps, dilates the bronchi (vasodilator, bronchodilator), acts as a laxative and at the same time is an antidote in case of cyanide poisoning.