---

Home Page

Section 3 Physical Data (determined on typical material)
Description: Clear liquid

Boiling point: 212°F (100°C)
Melting point: 32°F (0°C)
Specific gravity (H2O=1): 1.0
Vapor pressure: 14mm Hg (water)
Ev-aporation Rate (Ether=1): ›1
pH: Alkaline
Solubility in water: Complete

Section 5 Transportation Data
DOT Hazard Classification 49CFR172.101: Corrosive material
DOT Labeling Requirements 49CFR172.101 and 172.402: Corrosive
Department of Transportation Packaging requirements: 49CFR173.249
Exceptions: 49CFR173.244

ection 6 Toxicity:
Irritation Data: 1%/24 hours eye-monkey severe; 500 mg/24 hours skin-rabbit severe; 1% eye-rabbit severe; 50 ug/24 hours eye-rabbit severe; 1 mg/24 hour eye-rabbit severe; 400 ug eye-rabbit mild; 100 mg rinsed eye-rabbit severe.
Toxicity Data: 140 - 340 mg/kg oral-rat LD50; 500 mg/kg oral-rabbit LDLO; 1350 mg/kg skin-rabbit LD50; 40 mg/kg intra-peritoneal mouse LD50; mutagenic data (RTECS)
Carcinogen Status: None
Local Effects: Corrosive - eye, skin, mucous membranes
Acute Toxicity Level: Toxic by ingestion; moderately toxic by dermal absorption.
Target Effects: No data available
CERCLA Ratings (scale 0-3):
Health= 3, Fire= 0, Reactivity= 1, Persistence= 0
NFPA Ratings (scale 0-4):
Health= 3, Fire= 0, Reactivity= 1

Section 7 Health Effects and First Aid Procedures:
Sodium Hydroxide: Corrosive
INHALATION: 250 mg/m3 immediately dangerous to life or health
Acute Exposure: Effects due to inhalation of dusts or mist may vary from mild irritation of the nose at 2mg/m3 to severe pneumonitis depending on the severity of exposure. Low concentrations may cause mucous membrane irritation with sore throat, coughing, and dyspnea. Intense exposures may result in destruction of mucous membranes and delayed pulmonary edema or pneumonitis. Shock may occur.
Chronic Exposure: Repeated exposures of 5000 mg/1 were harmless to rats, but 10,000 mg/1 led to nervousness, sore eyes, diarrhea and retarded growth. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of dusts or 10,000 mg/1 led to nervousness, sore eyes, diarrhea and retarded growth. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of dusts or mists may cause discomfort and ulceration of nasal passages. Rats exposed 30 minutes/day to unmeasured concentrations of sodium hydroxide aerosols suffered pulmonary damage after 2-3 months. Death occurred in 2 of 10 rats exposed to an aerosol of 40% aqueous sodium hydroxide for 30 minutes, twice a week for 3 weeks. Histopathological examination showed mostly normal lung tissue with foci of enlarge alveolar septae, emphysema, bronchial ulceration, and enlarged lympth adenoidal tissues. An epidemiologic study of 291 workers chronically exposed to caustic dusts for 30 years or more found no significant increase in mortality in relation to duration or intensity of such exposures.

FIRST AID-INHALATION:
Remove form exposure area to fresh air immediately. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. Maintain airway and blood pressure and administer oxygen if available. Keep affected person warm and at rest. Treat symptomatically and supportively. Administration of oxygen should be performed by qualified personnel. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin Contact: Sodium Hydroxide: Corrosive

ACUTE EXPOSURE: Upon contact with the skin, damage including redness, cutaneous burns, skin fissures and white eschars may occur without immediate pain. Exposure to solutions as weak as 0.03 N (0.12%) for 1 hour has caused injury to healthy skin. Solutions of 25-50% caused no sensation of irritation within 3 minutes in human subjects. With solutions of 0.4-4%, irritation does not occur until after several hours, Skin biopsies from human subjects having 1 N Sodium Hydroxide applied to their arms for 15 to 180 minutes showed progressive changes beginning with dissolution of the cells in the horny layer and progressing through edema to total destruction of the epidermis in 60 minutes. A 5% aqueous solution caused severe necrosis to the skin of rabbits when applied for 4 hours. Alkalies penetrate the skin slowly. The extent of injury depends on the duration of contact. If sodium hydroxide is not removed from the skin, severe burns with deep ulceration may occur. Exposure to the dust or mist may cause multiple small burns and temporary loss of air. Pathologic findings due to alkalies may include gelatinous, necrotic areas at the site of contact.

CHRONIC EXPOSURE: Effects are dependent upon concentration and duration of exposure. Dermatitis or effects similar to those for acute exposure may occur.

FIRST AID-SKIN CONTACT
Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water until no evidence of chemical remains (at least 15-20 minutes). In case of chemical burns, cover area with sterile, dry dressing, bandage securely, but not too tightly. Get medical attention immediately.

EYE CONTACT Sodium Hydroxide: Corrosive
Acute Exposure: Contact may cause disintegration and sloughing of conjunctival and corneal epithelium, corneal opacification, marked edema and ulceration. After 7 to 13 days either gradual recovery begins or there is progression of ulceration and corneal opacification. Complications of severe eye burns are symblepharon with overgrowth of the cornea by the vacularized membrane, progressive or recurrent corneal ulceration and permanent corneal opacification. Blindness may occur.
Chronic Exposure: Effects are dependent upon concentration and duration of exposure. Conjunctivitis or effects similar to those for acute exposure may occur.

FIRST AID- EYE CONTACT:
Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids, until no evidence of chemical remains (at least 15-20 minutes). Continue irrigating with normal saline until the pH has returned to normal (30-60 minutes). Cover with sterile bandages, get medical attention immediately.

INGESTION Sodium Hydroxide: Corrosive/Toxic
Acute Exposure: The reported lethal dose in rats is 140-340 mg/kg. Ingestion may cause a burning sensation in the mouth, corrosion of the lips, mouth, tongue and pharynx, and severe esophageal and abdominal pain. Vomiting of blood and large pieces of mucosa, and bloody diarrhea, asphyxia can occur from swelling of the throat. Mediastinitis, alkalemia, pallor, weak, slow pulse, cardiovascular collapse, shock, coma and death may occur. Perforation of the alimentary tract and constrictive scarring may result. Esophageal stricture may occur for weeks, months, or even years later to make swallowing difficult. The estimated fatal dose in a man is 5 grams. Cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus have occurred with latent periods of 12 to 42 years after ingestion. These cancers were believed to be sequela of tissue destruction and possibly scar formation rather than the result of direct carcinogenic action of sodium hydroxide.

Chronic Exposure: Depending on the concentration, repeated ingestion of alkaline substances may result in inflammatory and ulcerative effects on the oral mucous membranes and other effects as with acute ingestion.

FIRST AID: INGESTION
If victim is conscious, give large quantities of water immediately to dilute the alkali, Do not induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately.
Antidote: No specific antidote. Treat symptomatically and supportively

Conditions to avoid: Avoid contact with or storage with water, acids, or other incompatibilities. Flammable. Poisonous gases may accumulate in tanks and hopper cars.

Clothing: Employee must wear appropriate protective (impervious) clothing and equipment to prevent any possibility of skin contact with this substance.
Gloves: Employee must wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent contact with this substance.
Eye Protection: Employee must wear splash-proof or dust-resistant safety goggles and a faceshield to prevent contact with this substance. Contact lens should not be worn.
Emergency Wash Facilities: Where there is any possibility that an employee's eyes and/or skin may be exposed to this substance, the employer should provide an eye wash fountain and quick drench shower within the immediate work area for emergency use.