I didn't add sodium azide but I added CuSO4 solution in NaNo pure water.
We add 5mM EDTA, but wouldn't use something as toxic as azide. Just keep it sterile...autoclave any water/solutions and clean regularly.
I have NuAire CO2 incubator in my lab and we use sodium azide in water jacket to keep it sterile.
Sodium Azide is a bad choice for several reasons.
1) It is not effective for all types of microorganisms.
2) A low concentration of HN3(g) will be present in the incubator which can affect the cultures you keep.
3) Sodium Azide is very toxic to humans so why use there people come in contact with it.
4) The azide ion precipate with many metals to form very explosive salts. Accidents based on this type of reaction are among of the most common laboratory explosion accidents. The power of the explosives are sufficiently high that eg. silver and lead azides have been used as detonators. We had a laboratory accident the last year then somebody poisoned samples for analysis of organic chemicals with sodium azide which came in contact with a brass lid on a wastewater collection tank on the SPE extraction system.
5) If sodium azide becomes acidified it develops a very toxic gas. This is also a common accident in laboratories eg. then the used solutions are poured in the sink and somebody later pour out an acid solution.
I have used CuSO4 in my incubator for years. If I ever discover any growth I'll add some silver ion too.
Dear Mr Adersen,
I am doing an abiotic incubation of seawater and sediments for 4 months. I already autoclave my solution and added sodium azide 0.1% to kill and prevent growth of microorganisms. I am aware of the hazardness of this product, would you recommend any other alternativ in my case?
Regards
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