Sodium thiosulphate is used in water treatment photographic processing and industrial applications.
Common Applications
Medical: Used as an essential medicine for treating cyanide poisoning and preventing hearing loss (ototoxicity) caused by cisplatin chemotherapy. It also treats fungal skin infections like tinea versicolor.
Water Treatment: Primarily used to dechlorinate tap water for aquariums and pools, as well as to treat industrial wastewater before release.
Photography: Functions as a photographic fixer to dissolve unexposed silver halide crystals, making the developed image permanent.
Analytical Chemistry: Serves as a standard titrant in iodometry to determine the concentration of various oxidizing agents.
Gold Extraction: Used as an eco-friendly alternative to cyanide for leaching gold from certain types of ores.
Safety and Handling
While relatively non-toxic, it can cause mild irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. It must not be stored near strong acids, as the reaction releases toxic sulfur dioxide gas.
