MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
PRODUCT : CAUSTIC SODA 48%
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IDENTIFICATION
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OTHER NAME: CHEMICAL NAME :
Sodium Hydroxide; NaOH Sodium Hydroxide
USE :
- Pulp & paper manufacturing
- Cleaning product : Soap & other detergents, household bleaches, polishes,
and other cleaning goods
- Chemical manufacturing
- Oil & gas processing & production
- Rayon, cotton mercerizing and scouring
DANGEROUS GOODS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION :
DOT PROPER SHIPPING NAME : DOT HAZARD CLASS :
Sodium Hydroxide, Liquid Corrosive Material
DOT I.D. NUMBER :
UN1824
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION / PROPERTIES
APPEARANCE : Clear liquid ODOUR : No distinct odor
SOLUBILITY IN WATER : Completely soluble BOILING POINT : 143 oC @ 760mmHg
SPECIFIC GRAVITY : Min. 1.499 FREEZING POINT : 12.1 Oc
pH : 7.5% solution has pH 14.0
FLASH POINT : NA VAPOUR PRESSURE : 13mmHg @ 60 oC
FLAMMABILITY LIMITS : Upper : NA / Lower : NA
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INGREDIENTS
CHEMICAL ENTITY CAS NO. PROPORTION
Sodium Hydroxide 1310-73-2 Min. 48%
Water - Max. 52 %
Sodium Carbonate - Max. 0.5 %
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HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION
HEALTH EFFECTS :
ACUTE
SWALLOWED: This product, if swallowed, can cause severe burns and complete
tissue perforation of mocous membranes of the mouth, throat,
esophagus, stomach.
EYE CONTACT: This product is destructive to eye tissue on contact. It will cause
severe burns that result in damage to the eyes and even blindness.
INHALED : Airborne concentration of dust, mist or spray of this product may
cause damage tot he upper respiratory tract and ling tissue proper
which could produce chemical pneumonia, depending upon severity
of exposure.
SKIN : This product is destructive tot issue contacted and produce severe
burns. A latent period may exist between exposure and sense of
irritation.
EMERGENCY FIRST AID PROCEDURES
SKIN : IMMEDIATELY wash with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove
contaminated clothing and footwear. Wash clothing before reuse and discard
footwear which can not be decontaminated. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
IMMEDIATELY.
EYES : OBJECT IS TO FLUSH MATERIAL OUT IMMEDIATELY THEN SEEK
MEDICAL ATTENTION. IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with large amounts of
water for at least 15 minutes forcibly holding lids apart to ensure flushing of
entire surface. Washing eyes
within several seconds is essential to achieve maximum effectiveness.
INHALED: Remove to fresh air, if breathing is difficult have trained person administer
oxygen. If respiration stops, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. GET
MEDICAL ATTENTION.
SWALLOWED: Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If swallowed, DO
NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. if available, give
several glasses of milk. If vomiting occurs spontaneously, keep airway clear.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
FIRST AID FACILITIES : Eye / skin wash station.
ADVICE FOR DOCTOR : Treat symptomatically.
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EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE
ACUTE : Corrosive to all body tissue with which it comes in contact. The effect of local dermal
exposure may consist of multiple areas of superficial destruction of the skin or of
primary irritant dermatitis. Similarly, inhalation of dust, spray, or mist may result in
varying degrees of irritation of damage tot he respiratory tract tissues and an
increased susceptibility to respiratory illness. These effects occur only when the
TLV is exceeded.
CHRONIC: No known chronic effects.
TOXICOLOGY DATA:
Human Dermal Exposure: Regardless of concentrations, the severity of damaged
and extent of its irreversibility increases with length of contact time. Prolonged
contact with even dilute sodium hydroxide solution can cause a high degree of
tissue destruction.The latent period, following skin contact during which no
sensation of irritation occurs, varies from several hours for 0.4 – 4 % solution to 3
minutes with 25 – 50% solution.
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PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
EXPOSURE STANDARD : OSHA PEL : 2 MG/M3
ACGIH TLV : C2 MG/M3
ENGINEERING CONTROL : Control airborne concentration below exposure guideline.
Good general ventilation sufficient for most operations.
Special ventilation is not required under normal use. Use local
exhaust ventilation where dust, mist or spray may be
generated. NOTE: Where carbon monoxide or other reaction
product may generated,special ventilation may be required.
PERSONAL PROTECTION :
REPIRATORY : Respiratory protection is not required under normal use. Use NIOSH/MSHA
approved respirators where dust, mist, or spray may be generated.
EYE : Wear chemical safety goggles plus full face shield to protect against
splashing.
GLOVES : Chemical resistant gloves should be worn. Glove may be decontaminated by
washing with mild soap and water. Natural and butyl rubber have been
suggested.
OTHER CLOTHING: Impervious protective clothing and chemically resistant safety shoes should
be worn to minimize contact. Wash contaminated clothing with soap and
water and dry before reuse. Showers and eyewash facilities should be
accessible.
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SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION
REACTIVITY DATA
INCOMPATIBILITY :
See Handling and Storage. Avoid direct contact with water. This product may be added
slowly to water or acids with dilution and agitation to avoid a violent exothermic reaction.
When handling this product, avoid contact with aluminum, tin, zinc, and alloys containing
these metals. Do not mix with strong acid without dilution and agitation to prevent violent or
explosive reaction. Avoid contact with leather, wool, acids, organic halogen compounds and
organic nitro compound.
CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO INSTABILITY :
Under normal conditions this product is stable.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCT :
None known.
CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Material is not known to polymerize.
STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
HANDLING AND STORAGE PRECAUTIONS :
Prevent eye or skin contact. Avoid breathing dust, mist, or spray. Do not take internally.
Use with adequate ventilation and employ respiratory protection when exposure to dust,
mist or spray is possible. When handling, wear chemical splash goggles, face shield,
rubber gloves and protective clothing. Wash thoroughly after handling or contact –
exposure can cause burns which are not immediately painful or visible.Product absorbs
CO2 from air. Keep container closed.Product can react violently with water, acids and other
substances. Avoid storing next to strong acids. Product should be stored in clean dry area.
Do not store in underground tanks. Product is corrosive to tin, aluminum, zinc and alloys
containing these metals and will reactviolently with these metals in powder form.
Hazardous carbon monoxide gas can form upon contact with food and beverage products
in enclosed spaces and can be fatal.
SPECIAL MIXING AND HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS :
Product can react violently with water. Considerable heat generated when product is mixed
with water. Therefore when making solutions always carefully follow these steps:
Always wear protective clothing described above. Never add water to product. Always add
product with constant stirring slowly to surface of lukewarm water, to assure product is
being completely dissolved as it is added. Never start with not or cold water.
If product is added too rapidly or without stirring and becomes concentrated at bottom of
mixing vessel, excessive heat may be generated, resulting in dangerous boiling and
spattering, and a possible immediate and violent eruption of highly caustic solution.
NOTE: Never add more product than can be absorbed by solution while maintaining
temperature below 200 deg. F to prevent boiling and spattering.
Product can react explosively with acids, aldehydes, and many other organic chemicals,
when mixing product with solutions containing such chemicals, follow all of above mixing
instructions and add product very gradually while stirring constantly.
Always empty and clean containers of all residues before adding product, to avoid possible
explosive reaction between product and unknown residue.
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TRANSPORT : Tank cars (RTC) with lined steel.
PACKAGING : PE Drum @ 300 kg/drum
SPILLS AND DISPOSAL
SPILLS :
Leaks should be stopped. Spills should be contained and cleaned up immediately. Spills
should be removed by using vacuum system. Neutralize remaining traces of material with
any dilute inorganic acid such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and acetic acid.
The spill area should then be flushed with water followed by liberal covering of sodium
bicarbonate. All cleaned-up material should removed and places in approved containers,
labeled and stored in a safe place to await proper treatment or disposal. Spills on areas
other then pavement, e.g. dirt or sand, may be handled by removing the affected soils and
placing in approved containers. Persons performing clean-up work should wear adequate
personal protective equipment and clothing.
DISPOSAL :
The materials resulting form clean-up operations may be hazardous wastes and, therefore,
subject to specific regulation, package, store, transport and dispose of all clean-up
materials and any contaminated equipment in accordance with all applicable state, and
local health and environmental regulations. Shipments of waste materials may be subject to
manifesting requirements per applicable regulations. Appropriate disposal will depend on
the nature of each waste material and should be performed by the competent and properly
permitted contractors.Ensure the all responsible state and local agencies receive paper
notification of spill an disposal methods.
FIRE/EXPLOSION HAZARD
FLASH POINT : NA
SPECIAL PROTECTION PROCEDURES : Wear full protective clothing. Avoid direct
contact of this product with water as this
cause a violent exothermic reaction.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS : NA
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA : This product is not combustible. Water
spray, foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical
may be used where this product is stored.
FLAMMABLE LIMITS IN AIR, % by volume : UPPER : NA / LOWER : NA
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE : Nonflammable
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