Material Safety Data Sheet

Caustic soda lye

Section 1 - Chemical Product and Company Identification

MSDS Name: Sodium hydroxide, solid

Synonyms: Caustic soda, Soda lye; Sodium hydrate; Lye.
Company Identification:

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Section 2 - Composition, Information on Ingredients

CAS# Chemical Name Percent EINECS/ELINCS

1310-73-2 Sodium hydroxide 95-100 215-185-5
497-19-8 Sodium carbonate <3.0 207-838-8

Section 3 - Hazards Identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW

Appearance: white solid.

Danger! Causes eye and skin burns. Causes digestive and respiratory tract burns.
Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air).
Target Organs: Eyes, skin, mucous membranes.

Potential Health Effects

Eye: Causes eye burns. May cause blindness. May cause chemical conjunctivitis and corneal
damage.
Skin: Causes skin burns. May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin.
Ingestion: May cause severe and permanent damage to the digestive tract. Causes
gastrointestinal tract burns. May cause perforation of the digestive tract. Causes severe
pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and shock.
Inhalation: Irritation may lead to chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Causes
severe irritation of upper respiratory tract with coughing, burns, breathing difficulty, and
possible coma. Causes chemical burns to the respiratory tract.
Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Effects may be delayed.

Section 4 - First Aid Measures

Eyes: In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for a t least 15
minutes. Get medical aid immediately.
Skin: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes
while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical aid immediately. Wash
clothing before reuse.
Ingestion: If swallowed, do NOT induce vomiting. Get medical aid immediately. If victim is
fully conscious, give a cupful of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious
person.
Inhalation: If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Notes to Physician: Treat symptomatically and supportively.

Section 5 - Fire Fighting Measures

General Information: As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in

pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full protective gear. Use
water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool. Use water with caution and in flooding
amounts. Contact with moisture or water may generate sufficient heat to ignite nearby
combustible materials. Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Extinguishing Media: Substance is noncombustible; use agent most appropriate to
extinguish surrounding fire. Do NOT get water inside containers.
Flash Point: Not applicable.
Autoignition Temperature: Not applicable.
Explosion Limits, Lower:Not available.
Upper: Not available.
NFPA Rating: (estimated) Health: 3; Flammability: 0; Instability: 1

Section 6 - Accidental Release Measures

General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated in Section 8.

Spills/Leaks: Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal container.
Avoid runoff into storm sewers and ditches which lead to waterways. Clean up spills
immediately, observing precautions in the Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating
dusty conditions. Provide ventilation. Do not get water on spilled substances or inside
containers.
 Section 7 - Handling and Storage

Handling: Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not allow water to get into the container
because of violent reaction. Minimize dust generation and accumulation. Do not get in eyes,
on skin, or on clothing. Keep container tightly closed. Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
Discard contaminated shoes. Use only with adequate ventilation.
Storage: Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away
from incompatible substances. Keep away from metals. Corrosives area. Keep away from
acids. Store protected from moisture. Containers must be tightly closed to prevent the
conversion of NaOH to sodium carbonate by the CO2 in air.

Section 8 - Exposure Controls, Personal Protection

Engineering Controls: Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped with
an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation
to keep airborne concentrations below the permissible exposure limits.
Exposure Limits

Chemical Name ACGIH NIOSH OSHA - Final PELs

Sodium hydroxide 2 mg/m3 Ceiling 10 mg/m3 IDLH 2 mg/m3 TWA
Sodium carbonate none listed none listed none listed

OSHA Vacated PELs: Sodium hydroxide: No OSHA Vacated PELs are listed for this
chemical. Sodium carbonate: No OSHA Vacated PELs are listed for this chemical.
Personal Protective Equipment
Eyes: Wear chemical splash goggles and face shield.
Skin: Wear butyl rubber gloves, apron, and/or clothing.
Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Respirators: Follow the OSHA respirator regulations found in 29 CFR 1910.134 or
European Standard EN 149. Use a NIOSH/MSHA or European Standard EN 149 approved
respirator if exposure limits are exceeded or if irritation or other symptoms are experienced.

Section 9 - Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical State: Solid

Appearance: white
Odor: Odorless
pH: 14 (5% aq soln)
Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg @739 deg C
Vapor Density: Not available.
Evaporation Rate:Not available.
Viscosity: Not available.
Boiling Point: 1390 deg C @ 760 mmHg
Freezing/Melting Point:318 deg C
Decomposition Temperature:Not available.
Solubility: Soluble.
Specific Gravity/Density:2.13 g/cm3
Molecular Formula:NaOH
Molecular Weight:40

Section 10 - Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable at room temperature in closed containers under normal storage
and handling conditions.
Conditions to Avoid: Moisture, contact with water, exposure to moist air or water,
prolonged exposure to air.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials: Water, metals, acids, aluminum, zinc, tin,
nitromethane, leather, flammable liquids, organic halogens, wool.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Toxic fumes of sodium oxide.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.

Section 11 - Toxicological Information

RTECS#:
CAS# 1310-73-2: WB4900000
CAS# 497-19-8: VZ4050000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 1310-73-2:
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 400 ug Mild;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 1% Severe;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 50 ug/24H Severe;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 1 mg/24H Severe;
Draize test, rabbit, skin: 500 mg/24H Severe;
.

CAS# 497-19-8:
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 100 mg/24H Moderate;
Draize test, rabbit, eye: 50 mg Severe;
Draize test, rabbit, skin: 500 mg/24H Mild;
Inhalation, mouse: LC50 = 1200 mg/m3/2H;
Inhalation, rat: LC50 = 2300 mg/m3/2H;
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 6600 mg/kg;
Oral, mouse: LD50 = 6600 mg/kg;
Oral, rat: LD50 = 4090 mg/kg;
.

Carcinogenicity:
CAS# 1310-73-2: Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or CA Prop 65.
CAS# 497-19-8: Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or CA Prop 65.

Epidemiology: No information found

Teratogenicity: No information found
Reproductive Effects: No information found
Mutagenicity: See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.
Neurotoxicity: No information found
Other Studies:

Section 12 - Ecological Information

No information available.

Section 13 - Disposal Considerations

Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded chemical is classified as a

hazardous waste. US EPA guidelines for the classification determination are listed in 40 CFR
Parts 261.3. Additionally, waste generators must consult state and local hazardous waste
regulations to ensure complete and accurate classification.
RCRA P-Series: None listed.
RCRA U-Series: None listed.

Section 14 - Transport Information

US DOT Canada TDG

Shipping Name: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLID
Hazard Class: 8 8
UN Number: UN1823 UN1823
Packing Group: II II

Section 15 - Regulatory Information

US FEDERAL

TSCA
CAS# 1310-73-2 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
CAS# 497-19-8 is listed on the TSCA inventory.
Health & Safety Reporting List
None of the chemicals are on the Health & Safety Reporting List.
Chemical Test Rules
None of the chemicals in this product are under a Chemical Test Rule.
Section 12b
None of the chemicals are listed under TSCA Section 12b.
TSCA Significant New Use Rule
None of the chemicals in this material have a SNUR under TSCA.
CERCLA Hazardous Substances and corresponding RQs
CAS# 1310-73-2: 1000 lb final RQ; 454 kg final RQ
SARA Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances
None of the chemicals in this product have a TPQ.
SARA Codes
CAS # 1310-73-2: immediate, reactive.
CAS # 497-19-8: immediate.
Section 313 No chemicals are reportable under Section 313.
Clean Air Act:
This material does not contain any hazardous air pollutants.
This material does not contain any Class 1 Ozone depletors.
This material does not contain any Class 2 Ozone depletors.
Clean Water Act:
CAS# 1310-73-2 is listed as a Hazardous Substance under the CWA.
None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Priority Pollutants under the CWA.
None of the chemicals in this product are listed as Toxic Pollutants under the CWA.
OSHA:
None of the chemicals in this product are considered highly hazardous by OSHA.
STATE
CAS# 1310-73-2 can be found on the following state right to know lists: California, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Massachusetts.
CAS# 497-19-8 is not present on state lists from CA, PA, MN, MA, FL, or NJ.

California Prop 65

California No Significant Risk Level: None of the chemicals in this product are listed.

European/International Regulations
European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols:
C
Risk Phrases:
R 35 Causes severe burns.

Safety Phrases:
S 26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of
water and seek medical advice.
S 37/39 Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.
 S 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice
immediately (show the label where possible).

WGK (Water Danger/Protection)

CAS# 1310-73-2: 1
CAS# 497-19-8: 1
Canada - DSL/NDSL
CAS# 1310-73-2 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
CAS# 497-19-8 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
Canada - WHMIS
This product has a WHMIS classification of E.
This product has been classified in accordance with the hazard criteria of the Controlled
Products Regulations and the MSDS contains all of the information required by those
regulations.
Canadian Ingredient Disclosure List
CAS# 1310-73-2 is listed on the Canadian Ingredient Disclosure List.
CAS# 497-19-8 is listed on the Canadian Ingredient Disclosure List.

Section 16 - Additional Information

The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best information currently available to us. However,
we make no warranty of merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to such information, and
we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the
information for their particular purposes. In no event shall Fisher be liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third
party or for lost profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary damages, howsoever arising, even if
Fisher has been advised of the possibility of such damages.