Dishwasher soap capsule on a towel and dish
Image Credit: kovalchuk/iStock/Getty Images Understanding the chemistry of ordinary household ingredients can be confusing. However, being able to recognize the simple oxidizers, acids and bases allows you to use products more effectively and protect your family from them as needed. Sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are perfect examples of this because they are found in everyday products.
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Chemistry
Sodium carbonate is a salt made from sodium and carbonic acid. This strong base appears as a white crystalline powder.
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Sodium percarbonate is an adduct formed from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide. An adduct is a chemical that includes all the atoms found in the reactants used to make it. Sodium percarbonate is a moderately strong oxidizer. Like sodium carbonate, it is a white, odorless power.
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Poisons
Both sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are poisons. Medline Plus explains that the symptoms of sodium carbonate poisoning include breathing problems, throat swelling, collapse, diarrhea, eye irritation and redness. The amount of sodium percarbonate in household products usually does not cause problems. However, exposure to the pure chemical can cause burns, skin irritation, eye irritations and even blindness. Inhalation can cause throat irritation and coughing.
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Uses
Sodium carbonate is used in glass manufacturing, as a water softener and a pool additive. MedlinePlus indicates that it is found in automatic dishwashing soaps, Clinitest tablets, pulp and paper products and some bubble-bath solutions.
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The oxidizing properties of sodium percarbonate are why it is an effective cleaning agent. It is found in many home and laundry cleaning products, including bleach products such as OxiClean, Oxobrite, OxiMagic and many others.
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Sources
Sodium carbonate can be synthesized using the Solvay process, which involves mixing sodium chloride with calcium carbonate. Alternatively, this chemical can be economically mined from Green River, Wyoming. Sodium percarbonate is prepared from hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate.
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references & resources
Using Hydrogen Peroxide: Using Sodium Percarbonate:
Ausetute: Solvay Process for the Production of Sodium Carbonate
Chemicals-Technology.com: FMC Soda Ash Plant, Green River, Wyoming, USA
IUPAC Gold Book: Adduct Ion
Organic Chemistry Portal; Sodium Percarbonate; Richard B. Silverman
SciFun.org: Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate
SciFun.org; Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate; Prof. Shakhashiri; Oct 14, 2010
references & resources
Using Hydrogen Peroxide: Using Sodium Percarbonate:
Ausetute: Solvay Process for the Production of Sodium Carbonate
Chemicals-Technology.com: FMC Soda Ash Plant, Green River, Wyoming, USA
IUPAC Gold Book: Adduct Ion
Organic Chemistry Portal; Sodium Percarbonate; Richard B. Silverman
SciFun.org: Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate
SciFun.org; Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate; Prof. Shakhashiri; Oct 14, 2010
Dishwasher soap capsule on a towel and dish
Image Credit: kovalchuk/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: kovalchuk/iStock/Getty Images
Using Hydrogen Peroxide: Using Sodium Percarbonate:
Ausetute: Solvay Process for the Production of Sodium Carbonate
Chemicals-Technology.com: FMC Soda Ash Plant, Green River, Wyoming, USA
IUPAC Gold Book: Adduct Ion
Organic Chemistry Portal; Sodium Percarbonate; Richard B. Silverman
SciFun.org: Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate
SciFun.org; Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate; Prof. Shakhashiri; Oct 14, 2010
