UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Table of Contents
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Page
1. Chemical Product
2. Composition and Information on Ingredients
3. Hazards Identification
4. First Aid Measures
5. Fire and Explosion Data
6. Accidental Release Measures
7. Handling and Storage
8. Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
10. Stability and Reactivity Data
11. Toxicological Information
12. Ecological Information
13. Disposal Considerations
14. References
15. Appendices
16. Revision History
Page 1 of 10 Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Chemical Product
1.
Product Name: Sodium Hydroxide
Chemical name: Sodium Hydroxide
Synonyms: Caustic Soda, sodium hydrate
Chemical Formula: NaOH
2.
Composition and Information on Ingredients
Composition: Sodium Hydroxide 100% by Weight
Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Sodium Hydroxide LD50: Not available. LC50: Not
available.
Page 2 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
3.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Hazards Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects: Very hazardous in case of skin contact acting as a corrosive
agent, irritant and permeator. Skin contact can cause inflammation and blistering. Very
hazardous in case of eye contact acting as an irritant and corrosive agent. Eye contact can
result in corneal damage or blindness. Increasing the length of contact increases the degree of
tissue damage.
Potential Chronic Health Effects: Substance may be toxic to mucous membranes, the
trachea, skin and eyes. Repeated or prolonged exposure can lead to damage to target organs.
Repeated exposure to sodium hydroxide dust can produce eye irritation. Repeated skin
exposure can result in local skin destruction or dermatitis. Repeated inhalation of sodium
hydroxide dust can result in respiratory irritation and even lung damage.
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: N/A
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: N/A
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: N/A
Page 3 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
4.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
First Aid Measures
General measures: N/A
Skin contact: Immediately flush skin with plenty of cold water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Apply an emollient to the irritated skin. Clean
contaminated clothes and shoes before reuse. Seek medical attention immediately.
Serious skin contact: Wash area with a disinfectant soap. Apply an antibacterial cream to the
area. Seek medical attention.
Eye contact: Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with plenty of
cold water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Seek medical
attention.
Ingestion: Do not induce emesis unless told to do so by a medical professional. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or
waistband. Seek medical attention.
Serious indigestion: If large amounts are swallowed, contact a physician straight away.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If person is not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Seek medical attention immediately.
Serious inhalation: N/A
Page 4 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
5.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Fire and Explosion Data
Flammability of the Product: Non-flammable.
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not applicable.
Flash points: Not applicable.
Flammable limits: Not applicable.
Products of Combustion: Not applicable.
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Metals Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: N/A
Fire fighting media and Instructions: N/A
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Sodium hydroxide and zinc metal dust causes ignition.
Under the right conditions of temperature, pressure and state of division, it can ignite or react
violently with acetaldehyde, allyl alcohol, allyl chloride, benzene-1,4-diol, chlorine trifluoride,
1,2-dichloroethylene, nitroethane, nitromethane, nitroparaffins, nitropropane, cinnamaldehyde,
2,2-dichloro-3,3-dimethylbutane. Sodium hydroxide in contact with water may produce
enough heat to ignite adjacent combustible substances. Phosphorus boiled with NaOH yields
mixed phosphines which may ignite spontaneously in air. Sodium hydroxide with
cinnamaldehyde in the presence of heat may cause ignition. Reaction with certain metals
releases flammable and explosive hydrogen gas.
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: Sodium hydroxide reacts with ammonia and silver
nitrate to form explosive products. Benzene extract of allyl benzenesulfonate prepared from
allyl alcohol, and benzene sulfonyl chloride in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide,
under vacuum residue darkened and exploded. Sodium hydroxide together with impure
tetrahydrofuran, which can contain peroxides, can cause serious explosions. Dry mixtures of
sodium hydroxide and sodium tetrahydroborate liberate hydrogen explosively at 230-270 °C.
Sodium hydroxide reacts with the sodium salt of trichlorophenol, methyl alcohol,
trichlorobenzene in the presence of heat causing an explosion.
Page 5 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
6.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Accidental Release Measures
NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing
any spills.
Small spill: Use appropriate tools to place the sodium hydroxide in a waste disposal container.
Neutralize any left residue with a dilute solution of acetic acid.
Large spill: Avoid touching spilled material. Vacuum or sweep up material into a waste
disposal container. Use water spray to reduce vapours. Neutralize any residue with a dilute
solution of acetic acid. Avoid runoff into sewers, basements of confined areas. Note and be
careful that the substance is not present at a concentration level above TLV.
7.
Handling and Storage
Precautions: Keep container dry. Avoid breathing in dust. Do not add water to this substance.
If you don’t feel well after contact or exposure to the substance, seek medical help and show
the label when possible. Keep away from incompatible substances such as oxidizing agents,
reducing agents, metals, acids, alkalis and moisture.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, well-ventilated area. Substance is a
deliquescent one showing hygroscopic properties.
Page 6 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits: STEL: 2 (mg/m3) from ACGIH (TLV) [United States] TWA: 2
CEIL: 2 (mg/m3) from OSHA (PEL) [United States] CEIL: (2 mg/m3) from NIOSH. Consult
local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other controls to
keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits.
Personal Protection: Safety goggles, gloves, boots and a full suit. Certified vapour and dust
respirator. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the
substance. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient, if need be, consult a specialist
before handling this substance.
9.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance: White deliquescent solid.
Odour: Odourless
Taste: N/A
Molecular Weight: 40g/mole
pH (1% solution/water): 13.5
Boiling Point: 1388°C
Melting Point: 323°C
Critical Temperature: N/A
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 2.13
Vapour Pressure (mmHg): Not applicable.
Vapour Density: Not applicable.
Volatility: N/A
Odour Threshold: N/A
Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: N/A
Ionicity (in Water): N/A
Dispersion Properties: See Solubility.
Solubility: Easily soluble in cold water.
Page 7 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Stability and Reactivity Data
10.
Stability: Product is stable.
Corrosivity: N/A
Instability temperature: N/A
Conditions of Instability: Incompatible materials, moisture, moist air.
Incompatibles: Highly reactive with metals. Reactive with oxidizing agents, reducing agents,
acids, alkalis, moisture.
Polymerization: Will not occur.
11.
Toxicological Information
Toxicity to animals: N/A
Effects on humans:
Acute potential health effects:
Chronic potential health effects:
- May cause damage to mucous membranes, the upper respiratory tract, skin and eyes.
- May also affect genetic material.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: N/A
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: N/A
Other information: N/A
12.
Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: N/A Page 8 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
13.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal: Waste must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental control
regulations.
14.
References
-
Sciencelab.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Sodium Hydroxide, MSDS [Online] 2010
[cited 2012 May 11]. Available from: URL:
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924998
-
Certified-lye.com. Material Safety Data Sheet; Sodium Hydroxide [Online] 2008 [cited
2012 May 14]. Available from: URL: http://www.certified-lye.com/MSDS-Lye.pdf
15.
Appendices
N/A Page 9 of 10 UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
16.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/12_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Revision History
Version Number Amendments/ Reasons for change
01
Initial Release
Page 10 of 10