Common Name: Sodium Hydroxide CAS Number: 1310-73-2 DOT Number: UN 1823/UN 1824 Date: January, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Sodium Hydroxide can affect you when breathed in. * Breathing the dust or droplets of solution can irritate or damage the lungs. Higher levels can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency. * Contact can cause severe skin burns. * Sodium Hydroxide is a CORROSIVE SOLID or LIQUID and can cause severe burns of the eyes, resulting in blindness. IDENTIFICATION Sodium Hydroxide is a white, odorless solid. It is used in water solutions in a wide range of industrial and chemical processes. REASON FOR CITATION * Sodium Hydroxide is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA, and cited by ACGIH, NIOSH, NFPA and EPA. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 2 mg/m3 averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 2 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded during any 15 minute work period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 2 mg/m3, which should not be exceeded at any time. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Sodium Hydroxide. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Sodium Hydroxide to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Sodium Hydroxide: * Sodium Hydroxide causes very severe burns of the eyes which can cause permanent damage. * Contact can cause severe skin burns. * Breathing Sodium Hydroxide can irritate the mouth, nose, and throat. Exposure to higher levels may irritate the lungs, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Still higher exposure can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema). This can cause death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Sodium Hydroxide and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Sodium Hydroxide has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Sodium Hydroxide has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Sodium Hydroxide causes lung damage. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater) the following are recommended before be ginning work and at regular times after that: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Mixed Exposures Because smoking can cause heart disease, as well as lung cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory problems, it may worsen respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce your risk of developing health problems. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Sodium Hydroxide from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Occupational Exposure to Sodium Hydroxide #76 105. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Sodium Hydroxide should change into clean clothing immediately. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Sodium Hydroxide. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Sodium Hydroxide, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Sodium Hydroxide, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Sodium Hydroxide is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Do not dry sweep for cleanup. Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during cleanup. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Sodium Hydroxide. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. * ACGIH recommends Natural Rubber, Nitrile, or Polyvinyl Chloride as protective materials. Eye Protection * Wear splash proof chemical goggles and face shield when working with liquid Sodium Hydroxide, or wear dust proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Sodium Hydroxide does not occur. * Where the potential exists for exposures near or over 2 mg/m3, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved respirator with a high efficiency particulate filter with a full facepiece. Greater protection is provided by a powered air purifying respirator. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Sodium Hydroxide, or in the case of a full face piece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters, to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Exposure to 200 mg/m3 is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 200 mg/m3 exists use an MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Sodium Hydroxide you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Sodium Hydroxide must be stored to avoid contact with WATER, ACIDS, FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS, METALS, or NITRO COMPOUNDS, because violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from WATER. Common Name: Sodium Hydroxide DOT Number: UN 1823/UN 1824 DOT Emergency Guide code: 60 CAS Number: 1310-73-2 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 0 REACTIVITY - 1 ---------------------------------------- CORROSIVE LIQUID OR SOLID POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Extinguish fire using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. Sodium Hydroxide itself does not burn. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE. * Sodium Hydroxide may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Sodium Hydroxide is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Absorb liquids in vermiculite, dry sand, earth, or a similar material and deposit in sealed containers. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Sodium Hydroxide as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Instantly flush with large amounts of water. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention immediately. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. * Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Highly soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Sodium Hydroxide Other Names and Formulations: Lye Solution; Caustic Soda; White Caustic. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Sodium Hydroxide is a solid in its pure form. It is used to neutralize acids, make sodium salts, in making rayon and cellophane, in reclaiming rubber, in making plastics and for many other uses. It may enter the environment in industrial and municipal discharges and spills. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Sodium Hydroxide has high acute toxicity to aquatic life. The toxicity of Sodium Hydroxide to aquatic life will be influenced by the hardness and alkalinity of the receiving water. The estimate of high acute toxicity is based on the criterion for Ph of water which considers the Ph of 9.0 the upper limit for healthy populations of aquatic life, since addition of Sodium Hydroxide to water results in elevated Ph. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of Sodium Hydroxide to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Sodium Hydroxide has high chronic toxicity to aquatic life. The toxicity of Sodium Hydroxide to aquatic life will be influenced by the hardness and alkalinity of the receiving water. The estimate of high chronic toxicity is based on the criterion for Ph of water which considers the pH of 9.0 the upper limit for healthy populations of aquatic life, since addition of Sodium Hydroxide to water results in elevated pH. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-term effects of Sodium Hydroxide to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Sodium Hydroxide is highly soluble in water and, when dissolving, generates considerable heat. Concentrations of 1,000 milligrams and more will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Small quantities of such bases as sodium hydroxide will slightly raise the pH of water in aquatic ecosystems, but larger quantities can raise the pH for extended periods of time. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.