Sodium Hydroxide Solid

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview: POISON! DANGER! EXTREMELY CORROSIVE! CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO EYES, SKIN AND MUCUS MEMBRANES! HARMFUL OR MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED, OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. MAY CAUSE PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE! INHALATION OF DUST, MIST OR SPRAY CAN CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO LUNGS. CAUTION: REACTS VIOLENTLY WHEN MIXED WITH WATER, ACIDS AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, SUCH AS TIN, ZINC, ALUMINUM, AND ALLOYS CONTAINING THESE METALS! SAFETY RATINGS: Health: 4, Extreme (Poison) Reactivity: 2, Moderate Flammability: 0, None Contact: 4, Extreme (Corrosive) Protective Equipment: Chemical Safety Glasses/Goggles, Shield, Lab Coat/Apron, Gloves, Local/General Ventilation.

Storage

Code White: Corrosive.

Potential health effects

INHALATION: Severe irritant. Effects from inhalation of dust or mist vary from mild irritation to serious damage of the upper respiratory tract, depending on severity of exposure. Symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat or runny nose. Severe pneumonitis may occur. INGESTION: Corrosive! Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat and/or stomach. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result. Symptoms may include bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, fall in blood pressure. Damage may appear days after exposure. SKIN CONTACT: Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposure. EYE CONTACT: Corrosive! Causes irritation of eyes and with greater exposures it can cause burns that may result in permanent corneal damage, even blindness.

Potential chronic health

EFFECTS Prolonged contact with even dilute solutions or dust has a destructive effect on tissue.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems, or impaired kidney or respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.