Caustic Soda, 50% and Weaker Solutions

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Colorless or slightly colored, clear or opaque; odorless. DANGER! Causes severe burns to skin, eyes and digestive tract. Harmful if swallowed or inhaled.

Potential health effects

INHALATION Breathing of mist is possible. Breathing this material is harmful and can cause death. Harmful effects include burns and permanent damage to the airways, including the nose, throat, and lungs. SKIN Causes skin burns and permanent skin damage. EYES Causes burns and permanent injury to eye tissue. Can cause blindness. INGESTION Swallowing this material may be harmful or cause death. Harmful effects include burns and permanent damage to the digestive tract, including the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain and vomiting of blood. Blood loss through damaged tissue can lead to low blood pressure and shock. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF EXPOSURE Depending upon level and duration of exposure, other possible signs and symptoms from breathing, swallowing, and contact of this material with the skin may include: irritation of the nose, throat, airways, and lungs with cough, sneezing, perforation of the nasal septum, and blindness.

Medical Conditions Generally Aggravated by Exposure

Preexisting disorders of the following organs or systems which may be aggravated by exposure to this material (or a component) include: respiratory system (including asthma and other breathing disorders), eyes.

Interactions with other chemicals

WHICH ENHANCE TOXICITY None known. EFFECTS FOLLOWING REPEATED EXPOSURE This material may cause the following effects: eye damage, blindness, respiratory tract damage (nose, throat, airways) lung damage, skin damage, and gastrointestinal tract damage.