Reading a nitrite test strip to confirm sample purity Storage & Disposal
Sodium nitrite is stable, and can be stored at room temperature. However, it should be stored in a sealed container. Sodium nitrite is also hygroscopic. This means that when it is exposed to air, it absorbs water. If this happens it will silently degrade over time, slowly oxidizing to sodium nitrate. Oxidization will render a sample of sodium nitrite useless as an end of life agent. Note - evidence of deterioration can be difficult to determine by visual inspection.
There are no specific concerns with the disposal of sodium nitrite. If stored correctly, the shelf life is almost infinite.
The Inorganic Salts Controversy
Around the same time that Dutch group CLW began to publicly discuss their ‘discovery’ of Middel X (sodium azide), Exit had been exploring the use of the humane pig poison, sodium nitrite, for a peaceful and reliable death. As the controversy grew surrounding Middel X, Exit found that sodium nitrite
