Caustic Soda Solution

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

PRECAUTIONARY INFORMATION Corrosive. Can cause severe eye, skin and respiratory tract burns. Highly toxic by ingestion. Ingestion will cause severe burns of the mouth, throat and stomach. Avoid any skin or eye contact. Avoid breathing dusts or mist.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact. Acute Effects Ingestion causes immediate, severe pain in the mouth, throat, and stomach as well as diarrhea and vomiting, from which collapse may result. Vomitus usually contains blood and possibly tissue. All tissues which come in contact with this chemical may be damaged. Death may result from ingestion. If the patient survives, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract may occur and the person may have permanent difficulty in swallowing. Inhalation causes respiratory irritation, which may develop into serious lung injury depending upon the degree of exposure. Serious pneumonitis may develop. Eye contact with Caustic Soda solid, dust, mist or solution usually results in immediate pain and can cause permanent eye damage including blindness. Skin contact may result in irritation, which may not be immediately painful. Greater exposure results in severe burns with scarring.

Potential chronic health

Prolonged exposures may result in upper respiratory irritation and ulceration of the nasal passage. High levels may cause permanent lung injury. Potential Adverse Chemical Interactions Persons with skin or lung diseases may be at an increased risk due to the toxic effects of this chemical on these organs. Carcinogen Status Caustic Soda is not considered carcinogenic by OSHA, NIOSH, NTP, IARC or EPA.