• Sodium nitrite is added to various kinds of packaged meats, including bacon.bacon and cheese image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
  
  Sodium nitrite, a chemical compound that is white to slightly yellow in color, has several uses. It preserves packaged meat, such as bacon, ham, hot dogs and smoked fish by preventing the growth of bacteria. It is used to dye and bleach fabrics. It is also used in veterinary medicine as a treatment for cyanide poisoning. Although sodium nitrite has several purposes, there are dangers associated with its use. These hazards include the development of chronic illnesses, allergic reactions and explosive tendencies.
  
  

Migraines

• Sodium nitrite may trigger migraines in people who already suffer from them. Eating processed meat containing the chemical can cause the blood vessels in the brain to widen and enlarge, creating severe headaches. According to Time.com, a study guided by Dr. Neil Raskin and William Henderson of the University of California at San Francisco concluded that sodium nitrite induced migraines when ingested by a man with a history of headaches. The National Pain Foundation's website suggests that a migraine can occur within minutes to hours after the consumption of food containing sodium nitrite.
  
  

Cancer

• A serious concern in regard to sodium nitrite consumption is the formation of carcinogens. When meat preserved by sodium nitrite is cooked, the high heat levels encourage the formation of cancer-causing agents. In 2005, a research study conducted at the University of Hawaii showed that people who consumed large amounts of processed meat increased their risk of developing pancreatic cancer. According to the Organic Consumers Association, this study followed 200,000 women and men for seven years. The final results showed a 67 percent increase in pancreatic cancer risk for people who consumed large amounts of processed and preserved meats. Although the study did not pinpoint sodium nitrite as the main cause of the findings, Nutritionist Mike Adams, author of "Grocery Warning," insists that the sodium nitrite found in cured meats is the cause of the results. Other various studies have also linked sodium nitrite to the formation of tumors in other organs, including the colon and brain.
  
  

Other Hazards

• Although it is not flammable in itself, sodium nitrite can cause fire if exposed to other materials. Inhaling or ingesting sodium nitrite can cause toxicity symptoms, such as dizziness, vomiting, spasms, nausea, abdominal pain, coma, a rapid heart beat and irregular breathing. Skin contact with the chemical may cause an allergic reaction accompanied by redness, pain and itching.