Sodium Hydroxide Pellets, ACS

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EYES: Contact rapidly causes severe damage. Permanent corneal damage almost inevitably results. Even dilute solutions may produce similar effects, although less rapidly. Mist of many solutions is extremely corrosive. SKIN: Severe and rapid corrosion from contact. Extent of damage depends on duration of contact. Even dilute solutions exert a destructive effect, following prolonged contact. Mist of many solutions is extremely corrosive. INGESTION: Severe and rapid corrosive burns of mouth, gullet and gastrointestinal tract will result, if swallowed. Effects include severe pain, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, collapse. Some effects may be delayed. Estimated average fatal dose: 5g. (human, adult)-Ref. ( c ), section J. LD50 (ipr-mus): 40 mg/kg – Ref. (e), Section J. INHALATION: Inhalation of mist or dust can injure the entire respiratory tract with painful and corrosive action on tissue. Irritancy estimated to become noticeable at 2 mg/cu.m. in air. The effects of inhalation can vary, depending upon extent of exposure, from mild mucous membrane irritation to sudden, severe bronchopneumonia. PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATION AIR: See Section J. OSHA/TWA: 2 mg/cu.m. (as 100%) ACGIH/TLV: 2 mg/cu.m. (ceiling value, as 100%) BIOLOGICAL: None established. UNUSUAL CHRONIC TOXICITY: None reported. FLASH POINT: N/A (No flash point). AUTO IGNITION / TEMPERATURE: N/A FLAMMABLE LIMITS IN AIR (% BY VOL.): Lower-N/A Upper-N/A UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION Will react with metals such as aluminum, tin, and zinc (and alloys of these metals) to generate hydrogen gas, a fire and explosive hazard. Some material may vaporize in a fire. Contact with water or moisture may generate sufficient heat to ignite combustible materials. SECTION 4: PRECAUTIONS/PROCEDURES FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS RECOMMENDED: If involved in a fire, flood with water, taking care not to splash or scatter this material, and keeping it away from common metals (see Section C). FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS TO AVOID: Carbon dioxide, because it reacts exothermically with this material. SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PRECAUTIONS: Firefighters should wear self-contained NIOSH-approved breathing apparatus and full protective clothing, including eye protection and boots, to protect against vaporized material and mist. Material can melt in a fire and molten material can react violently with small amounts of water (spattering or misting), and certain common metals to liberate flammable hydrogen gas. VENTILATION: No particular problems with pellets, as sold. If made into a solution and misty conditions are generated-or if solid should be ground up and dust is generated – provide LOCAL EXHAUST. In the absence of mist or dust, natural ventilation is adequate. Ventilation facilities should be corrosion- resistant construction. In the event hydrogen gas is generated (see Section C), a severe ventilation problem is rapidly introduced. Smothering with CO2, coupled with good local ventilation or respiratory protection, is probably the best emergency action. In this situation, ventilation facility must be explosion-resistant if such an emergency is likely to happen. NORMAL HANDLING: Do not get in eyes, on skin or clothing. Avoid breathing dust or mist, if generated. Keep container closed when not in use. Use with adequate ventilation and wash thoroughly after handling. When making solutions, use sufficient agitation and cooling, while adding slowly to surface of solution, to avoid splattering. Avoid handling conditions that may lead to spills, leaks, ejections, or to the formation of dust or mist.

Storage

Store in closed containers in a dry, well-ventilated area, separate from acids, peroxides, metals, easily ignitable materials and other incompatibles. Protect against moisture and water; protect against physical damage. Drains for storage or use areas for this material should have retention basins for pH adjustment and dilutions of spills and flushings before discharge. SPILL OR LEAK (ALWAYS WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT – SECTION E): Clean-up personnel need protection against inhalation and/or skin and eye contact hazards. Dry product can be promptly shoveled up for recovery or disposal. (CAUTION: Avoid dusting and skin and eye contact. Also delay in clean-up may allow absorption of moisture from the atmosphere, increasing clean-up difficulties). Control the disposal of the waste sold. Flush contaminated surfaces with water and neutralize with dilute acid (preferably acetic acid) to remove final traces. (Sodium bicarbonate may also be used to partially neutralize). Finally rinse with water; attempt to keep out of sewer. Any release to the environment of this product may be subject to federal and/or state reporting requirements. Check with appropriate agencies. SPECIAL: PRECAUTIONS/ PROCEDURES/ LABEL INSTRUCTIONS: SIGNAL WORD-DANGER! Workers should not be permitted to handle this material without proper training and protective equipment. Equipment used with solutions of this material should not be made of soft iron, copper, tin, aluminum, zinc, or alloys of these metals. All equipment should be frequently inspected for leaks with any potential problems. SECTION 5: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT / RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: In the absence of dust or mist, none generally required. For airborne levels of concern, use a NIOSH-approved, full-facepiece (for eye protection) with a high-efficiency particulate or supplied-air respirator, or a self-contained breathing apparatus. EYE AND FACE: Wear chemical safety goggles if there is any possibility of contact with liquid or mist with the eyes. Add a face shield if there is any possibility of contact with liquid with face. Do not wear contact lenses if handling liquid or dusty solid material. HANDS, ARMS, AND BODY: Wear protective gloves and full protective clothing (preferably made of rubber, neoprene, or NBR) if there is any possibility of contact with pellets, dust, liquid or mist. Promptly wash any contaminated impervious items and remove immediately any non-impervious items that become contaminated. OTHER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: Add a hard hat and impermeable boots (made of the same preferred materials listed in HANDS, ARMS, AND BODY in this section) under the same conditions as for gloves and protective clothing. Some contaminated rules stated throughout apply. Provide eye-wash station and quick-drench shower facilities accessible to areas of use and handling. Arrange for neutralization supplies and equipment and abundant running water. SECTION 6: PHYSICAL DATA MATERIAL IS (AT NORMAL CONDITIONS): Solid.

Appearance/Odor

White pellets with no odor. Hygroscopic. BOILING POINT: 1390 C MELTING POINT: 318 C SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 213 @ 25 C, solid VAPOR DENSITY (AIR=1): N/A , Vapor negligible at ambient conditions. SOLUBILITY IN WATER (% BY WEIGHT): 29.6 @ 0 C PH: 14 VAPOR PRESSURE: Negligible (1mm Hg @ 739 C) EVAPORATION RATE (BUTYL ACETATE=1): Negligible at ambient conditions. % VOLATILES BY VOLUME (@ 20 C): Negligible at ambient conditions. SECTION 7: REACTIVITY DATA STABILITY: Stable. CONDITIONS TO AVOID: Rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture from the air. INCOMPATIBILITY: Common metals and their alloys (see Section C); acids and their anhydrides; easily oxidizable compounds, including explosives, aldehydes and unsaturated organics; nitrocarbons and chlorocarbons. Strong exothermic reaction with water or moisture (generates much heat). HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: None. Remains chemically unchanged even at its boiling temperature. HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will not occur. CONDITIONS TO AVOID: None known. / SECTION 8: HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS (MIXTURES ONLY) MATERIAL OR COMPONENT/CAS #: N/A SECTION 9: ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADABILITY/AQUATIC TOXICITY: Degradability: N/A (inorganics) Aquatic Toxicity: 125 ppm/96 hr./ mosquito fish/TLm/fresh water. 180 ppm/23 hr./ oysters/lethal/salt water. OCTANOL/WATER PARTITION COEFFICIENT: Unknown. EPA HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (CLEAN WATER ACT SEC. 311): Yes. IF SO REPORTABLE QUANTITY: 1000# (40 CFR 116-117)