SODIUM HYDROXIDE
MSDS Number: S4034 --- Effective Date: 03/05/97
1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Caustic soda; lye; sodium hydroxide solid; sodium hydrate
CAS No.: 1310-73-2
Molecular Weight: 40.00
Chemical Formula: NaOH
Product Codes: J.T. Baker:
3718, 3721, 3722, 3723, 3728, 3729, 3734, 3736,
5045, 5565
Mallinckrodt:
7001, 7680, 7708, 7712, 7772, 7798
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------
Sodium Hydroxide 1310-73-2 99 - 100% Yes
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF
INHALED. CAUSES BURNS TO ANY AREA OF CONTACT. REACTS WITH WATER, ACIDS AND
OTHER MATERIALS.
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 3 - Severe (Poison)
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate
Contact Rating: 4 - Extreme (Corrosive)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES
Storage Color Code: White Stripe (Store Separately)
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Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Severe irritant. Effects from inhalation of dust or mist vary from mild
irritation to serious damage of the upper respiratory tract, depending on
severity of exposure. Symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat or runny
nose. Severe pneumonitis may occur.
Ingestion:
Corrosive! Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat, and stomach.
Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms may include
bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, fall in blood pressure. Damage may appears
days after exposure.
Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and
scarring with greater exposures.
Eye Contact:
Corrosive! Causes irritation of eyes, and with greater exposures it can
cause burns that may result in permanent impairment of vision, even
blindness.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged contact with dilute solutions or dust has a destructive effect
upon tissue.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired
respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the
substance.
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician.
Ingestion:
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING! Give large quantities of water or milk if
available. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get
medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact:
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while
removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Call a physician, immediately.
Wash clothing before reuse.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention
immediately.
Note to Physician:
Perform endoscopy in all cases of suspected sodium hydroxide ingestion. In
cases of severe esophageal corrosion, the use of therapeutic doses of
steroids should be considered. General supportive measures with continual
monitoring of gas exchange, acid-base balance, electrolytes, and fluid
intake are also required.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire:
Not considered to be a fire hazard. Hot or molten material can react
violently with water.
Can react with certain metals, such as aluminum, to generate flammable
hydrogen gas.
Explosion:
Not considered to be an explosion hazard.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire. Adding water to
caustic solution generates large amounts of heat.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved
self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the
pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Keep unnecessary and unprotected people
away from area of spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as
specified in Section 8. Spills: Pick up and place in a suitable container
for reclamation or disposal, using a method that does not generate dust.
Do not flush caustic residues to the sewer. Residues from spills can be
diluted with water, neutralized with dilute acid such as acetic,
hydrochloric or sulfuric. Absorb neutralized caustic residue on clay,
vermiculite or other inert substance and package in a suitable container
for disposal.
US Regulations (CERCLA) require reporting spills and releases to soil,
water and air in excess of reportable quantities. The toll free number for
the US Coast Guard National Response Center is (800) 424-8802.
7. Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container. Protect from physical damage. Store in
a cool, dry, ventilated area away from sources of heat, moisture and
incompatibilities. Always add the caustic to water while stirring; never
the reverse. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since
they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and
precautions listed for the product. Do not store with aluminum or
magnesium. Do not mix with acids or organic materials.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
- OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
2 mg/m3 Ceiling
- ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
2 mg/m3 Ceiling
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee
exposures below the Airborne
Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because
it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing
dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH
document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices,
most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be
worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use
concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator
supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece dust/mist respirator may
be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration
specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier,
whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure
levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied
respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in
oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves, lab coat,
apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is
possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work
area.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
White, deliquescent pellets.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
111 g/100 g of water.
Specific Gravity:
2.13
pH:
13 - 14 (0.5% soln.)
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
1390C (2534F)
Melting Point:
318C (604F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
> 1.0
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
Negligible.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Very hygroscopic. Can
slowly pick up moisture from air and react with carbon dioxide from air to
form sodium carbonate.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Sodium oxide. Decomposition by reaction with certain metals releases
flammable and explosive hydrogen gas.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Contact with water, acids, flammable liquids, and organic halogen
compounds, especially trichloroethylene, may cause fire or explosion.
Contact with nitromethane and other similar nitro compounds causes
formation of shock-sensitive salts. Contact with metals such as aluminum,
tin, and zinc causes formation of flammable hydrogen gas.
Conditions to Avoid:
Moisture, dusting and incompatibles.
11. Toxicological Information
Irritation data: skin, rabbit: 500 mg/24H severe; eye rabbit: 50 ug/24H
severe; investigated as a mutagen.
--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Sodium Hydroxide (1310-73-2) No No None
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
No information found.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.
13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as
hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use
or contamination of this product may change the waste management options.
State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal
regulations.
Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state
and local requirements.
14. Transport Information
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN/NA: UN1823
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 300LB
International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN/NA: UN1823
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 300LB
15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Sodium Hydroxide (1310-73-2) Yes Yes Yes Yes
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Sodium Hydroxide (1310-73-2) Yes Yes No Yes
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Sodium Hydroxide (1310-73-2) No No Yes No
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Sodium Hydroxide (1310-73-2) 1000 No No
Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: No Fire: No Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes (Pure / Solid)
Australian Hazchem Code: 2R
Poison Schedule: S6
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of
the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains
all of the information required by the CPR.
16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings:
Health: 3 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED.
CAUSES BURNS TO ANY AREA OF CONTACT. REACTS WITH WATER, ACIDS AND OTHER
MATERIALS.
Label Precautions:
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Do not breathe dust.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never
give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. In case of contact,
immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes
while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse.
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial
respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In all cases get medical
attention immediately.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
Pure. New 16 section MSDS format, all sections have been revised.
Disclaimer:
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Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good
faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This
document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling
of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals
receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in
determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER,
INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE
PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC.
WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS
INFORMATION.
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Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)