What is sodium thiosulfate primarily used for?

Sodium thiosulfate is primarily used to dechlorinate water for sampling because it effectively neutralizes chlorine, which is commonly used in water treatment processes. Chlorine can interfere with many analytical methods used in water testing and can harm aquatic life if present in significant amounts, so removing it is critical for accurate sampling. When sodium thiosulfate is added to chlorinated water, it reacts with chlorine to form non-toxic products, making the water safe for further analysis or for use in ecosystems.

In contrast, while it may have applications in chemical manufacturing, its predominant role in environmental sampling and analysis makes the dechlorination function particularly important. Its use as a fertilizer or in pest control is not significant, as there are more suitable substances for those purposes. This specificity of application underlines sodium thiosulfate’s relevance in environmental health and safety contexts.