Sodium acetate, made from vinegar and baking soda, is a versatile substance used as a preservative and pickling agent in the food industry, a cleaner for metal surfaces, and a component of IV solutions. It is also found in heating pads and can be used as a pocket warmer.
Sodium acetate, or sodium ethanoate, is the sodium salt derived from acetic acid. Sodium acetate is a substance that can be easily made from vinegar and baking soda. As the mixture cools below its melting point, it crystallizes. Crystallization is an exothermic process, so the crystals actually produce heat, giving the substance its common name, hot ice. The compound has a variety of industrial and domestic uses.
In the food industry, sodium ethanoate is used as a preservative and pickling agent. Because it helps food maintain a specific pH, salt can prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria. In the pickling process, larger amounts of the chemical are used, not only serving to buffer the food from microorganisms, but also increasing the flavor of the food product.
As a cleaner, sodium acetate counteracts the high levels of sulfuric acid found in factory exhaust. Keeps metal surfaces shiny by removing rust and stains. It can also be found in skin tanning solutions and photography development treatments.
Sodium acetate also plays a role in the health sector. Diluted, it can be used as an alternative saline solution to sodium chloride in IVs. While the risks of using sodium acetate are fairly minimal, they are worth knowing about. Before it can be added to an IV, sodium acetate must be diluted. The patient should receive the solution slowly to avoid fluid retention and electrolyte imbalance. For patients with kidney problems, the aluminum found in this solution could be toxic. Despite these risks, the solution was found to be safe for all patient ages.
Many people may have a form of sodium acetate at home without even knowing it, as the compound is often used in heating pads. Highly saturated in water, it remains in liquid form until it bends and flexes a metal disk suspended in solution. This is easily done by working the pad with your hands. Attached to the metal disc are some crystallized molecules which are released by the movement of the disc. They cause a rapid chain reaction with the other molecules in the solution which solidify rapidly and give off heat. Heat can ease aches and pains when placed on sore muscles. The smaller packs can be used as a pocket warmer during the winter. These packs are reusable as the hot ice reverts to a liquid state once the pack is immersed in boiling water and allowed to gradually return to room temperature.
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