As anyone familiar with chemistry knows, there are thousands of different types of salt, not just table salt and the calcium chloride that is used to melt roads. Ferene Disodium Salt is a particularly complex and rare salt that has few manufacturers and distributors. It is only easily accessible to a chemist, and like other complex salts, it is potentially dangerous in random chemical reactions. Any interested chemist should study this salt and its potential interactions before even looking at an order catalog.
To understand its difficulty of procurement, understand that there are only 19 suppliers in the United States, and the majority of the producers are located in China. There are up to 47 possible providers of this chemical in China, although only about a dozen providers are available for export. Obtaining hazardous chemicals from China has potential complications, as shipping and safety standards are different in China than in other countries. Lax standards towards the environment also present an ethical dilemma for procurement. Chinese chemicals tend to be cheaper even if more paperwork and safety precautions during handling are needed.
In terms of safe handling, the Ferene Disodium Salt is an irritant to the skin even in its dry form. Mixing with a solvent can speed its reaction, although the moisture in unprotected skin can a reaction. It is not extremely reactive like volatile metal but does present a considerable risk of irritation. If a small amount of dust comes in contact with the eye, it will cause irritation by a corrosive action. Undue exposure can be counteracted by washing the eyes with water for a few minutes.
Depending on the amounts handled, it might or might not be necessary to wear a hazard suit. Small amounts can be handled with normal lab precautions such as gloves, a mouth filter, and goggles. Dust and dissolved forms are corrosive if allowed to linger on the skin but are not immediately toxic. It is toxic if ingested as organs are both corroded more easily than skin and the acid of the stomach might cause a chemical reaction.
The greatest hazard is inhalation as lung tissues are soft and porous. The lungs react to caustic substances by flushing the damaged area with fluid, which will lead to a fluid-filled lung and breathing difficulty. Treating inhalation requires a trip to the emergency room, so it is essential to use a hazard suit and a ventilator if large quantities are handled.
