Sodium Hydroxide Solution (50%) and weaker solutions (25%, etc.)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW DANGER! CORROSIVE LIQUID MAY CAUSE PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE MAY CAUSE BURNS TO THE EYES, SKIN, AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES – DESTROYS BODY TISSUES INHALATION OF DUST, MIST, OR SPRAY CAN CAUSE SEVERE LUNG DAMAGE CAN REACT VIOLENTLY WITH WATER, ACIDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES

Potential health effects

NOTE: Prolonged contact with sodium hydroxide solutions of > 1% can cause a high degree of tissue destruction.

Principle Routes of Exposure

Eye and skin contact, inhalation. EYE CONTACT Corrosive. May cause severe burns, damage and tissue destruction. May result in corneal scarring and clouding, and possible blindness. The severity of the effects depend on concentration and how soon after exposure the eyes are washed. SKIN CONTACT Corrosive. May cause severe burns and tissue damage. Prolonged or repeated contact, even to dilute concentrations, can cause a high degree of tissue destruction. Note that irritation may follow an initial latency (delay between the time of contact and sense of irritation). The latent period can vary as much as hours for a dilute solution (0.4-4%) to minutes with more concentrated solutions (25-50%). INHALATION Severely irritating to corrosive. Exposure to vapor, mist or liquid can produce burns of the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include throat burns, nausea, headache, pain, constriction of the windpipe (bronchospasms), severe pulmonary edema and death, depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Aspiration (breathing) of liquid, mist or vomitus (vomit) into lungs can cause chemical pneumonia, bleeding, lung damage and even death. INGESTION Corrosive. Severe burns and complete tissue perforation of mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and stomach. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, internal bleeding and even death. CHRONIC EFFECTS/CARCINOGENICITY/SPECIAL TOXIC EFFECTS No components present in excess of 0.1% by weight are listed as carcinogens by NTP

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Pre-existing medical conditions that may be aggravated by exposure include disorders of the skin and respiratory tract.