Sodium niteate is a colorless, odorless, transparent crystal. It oxidizers when exposed to air and is soluble in water. this materials explodes at 1000F(537C), much lower than temperatures encountered in many fires. Sodium nitrate is toxic by ingestion and has caused cancer in teat animals. When used in the curing of fish and meat products, it is restricted to 100 ppm. Sodium nitrate is incompatible with ammonium nitrate and other ammonium salts. The four-digit UN identification number is 1498. Sodium nitrate is used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning and in the curing of fish and meat.