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Material Safety Data Sheet
Potassium Hydroxide Solution, 20% MSDS
Section 1: Chemical Product and Company Identification
Product Name: Potassium Hydroxide Solution, 20%
Catalog Codes: SLP3118
CAS#: Mixture.
RTECS: Not applicable.
TSCA: TSCA 8(b) inventory: Potassium hydroxide; Water
CI#: Not applicable.
Synonym: Potassium Hydroxide, 20% Solution
Chemical Name: Not applicable.
Chemical Formula: Not applicable.
Contact Information:
Sciencelab.com, Inc.
14025 Smith Rd.
Houston, Texas 77396
US Sales: 1-800-901-7247
International Sales: 1-281-441-4400
Order Online: ScienceLab.com
CHEMTREC (24HR Emergency Telephone), call:
1-800-424-9300
International CHEMTREC, call: 1-703-527-3887
For non-emergency assistance, call: 1-281-441-4400
Section 2: Composition and Information on Ingredients
Composition:
Name CAS # % by Weight
Potassium hydroxide 1310-58-3 20
Water 7732-18-5 80
Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Potassium hydroxide: ORAL (LD50): Acute: 273 mg/kg [Rat]. 365 mg/kg [Rat].
Section 3: Hazards Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects:
Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, . Hazardous in case of skin contact
(corrosive, permeator), of eye contact (corrosive). Slightly hazardous in case of inhalation (lung sensitizer). Non-corrosive for
lungs. Liquid or spray mist may produce tissue damage particularly on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and respiratory
tract. Skin contact may produce burns. Inhalation of the spray mist may produce severe irritation of respiratory tract,
characterized by coughing, choking, or shortness of breath. Severe over-exposure can result in death. Inflammation of the
eye is characterized by redness, watering, and itching. Skin inflammation is characterized by itching, scaling, reddening, or,
occasionally, blistering.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. [Potassium
hydroxide]. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available. DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available. The substance may be
toxic to upper respiratory tract, skin. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.
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Repeated or prolonged contact with spray mist may produce chronic eye irritation and severe skin irritation. Repeated or
prolonged exposure to spray mist may produce respiratory tract irritation leading to frequent attacks of bronchial infection.
Repeated exposure to a highly toxic material may produce general deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many
human organs.
Section 4: First Aid Measures
Eye Contact:
Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids
open. Cold water may be used. Get medical attention immediately. Finish by rinsing thoroughly with running water to avoid a
possible infection.
Skin Contact:
In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing
and shoes. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. Cold water may be used.Wash clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean
shoes before reuse. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious Skin Contact:
Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek immediate medical
attention.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical
attention immediately.
Serious Inhalation:
Evacuate the victim to a safe area as soon as possible. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If
breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Seek medical
attention.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. Get medical attention immediately.
Serious Ingestion: Not available.
Section 5: 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 available.
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Not applicable.
Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Non-explosive in presence of open flames and sparks, of shocks.
Fire Fighting Media and Instructions: Not applicable.
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Not available.
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards:
Potentially explosive reaction with bromoform + crown ethers, chlorine dioxide, nitrobenzene, nitromethane, nitrogen
trichloride, peroxidized tetrahydrofuran, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. Reaction with ammonium hexachloroplatiate(2-) + heat forms
heat sensitive explosive product. Potassium hydroxide will cause explosive decomposition of maleic anhydride. Detonation will
occur when potassiuim hydroxide is mixed with n-methyl-nitroso urea and methylene chloride. Nitrogen trichloride explodes on
contact with potassium hydroxide. (Potassium hydroxide)
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Section 6: Accidental Release Measures
Small Spill:
Dilute with water and mop up, or absorb with an inert dry material and place in an appropriate waste disposal container. If
necessary: Neutralize the residue with a dilute solution of acetic acid.
Large Spill:
Corrosive liquid. Poisonous liquid. Stop leak if without risk. Absorb with DRY earth, sand or other non-combustible material.
Do not get water inside container. Do not touch spilled material. Use water spray curtain to divert vapor drift. Use water spray
to reduce vapors. Prevent entry into sewers, basements or confined areas; dike if needed. Call for assistance on disposal.
Neutralize the residue with a dilute solution of acetic acid. Be careful that the product is not present at a concentration level
above TLV. Check TLV on the MSDS and with local authorities.
Section 7: Handling and Storage
Precautions:
Keep locked up.. Keep container dry. Do not ingest. Do not breathe gas/fumes/ vapor/spray. Never add water to this product.
In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment. If ingested, seek medical advice immediately and show
the container or the label. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Keep away from incompatibles such as acids.
Storage: Keep container tightly closed. Keep container in a cool, well-ventilated area. Do not store above 23C (73.4F).
Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Engineering Controls:
Provide exhaust ventilation or other engineering controls to keep the airborne concentrations of vapors below their respective
threshold limit value.
Personal Protection:
Face shield. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Gloves. Boots.
Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill:
Splash goggles. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid
inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this
product.
Exposure Limits:
Potassium hydroxide CEIL: 2 from ACGIH (TLV) [United States] [1999] Consult local authorities for acceptable exposure limits.
Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical state and appearance: Liquid.
Odor: Not available.
Taste: Alkaline. (Strong.)
Molecular Weight: Not applicable.
Color: Clear Colorless.
pH (1% soln/water): Basic.
Boiling Point: The lowest known value is 100C (212F) (Water).
Melting Point: Not available.
Critical Temperature: Not available.
Specific Gravity: Weighted average: 1.11 (Water = 1)
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Vapor Pressure: The highest known value is 2.3 kPa (@ 20C) (Water).
Vapor Density: The highest known value is 0.62 (Air = 1) (Water).
Volatility: Not available.
Odor Threshold: Not available.
Water/Oil Dist. Coeff.: Not available.
Ionicity (in Water): Not available.
Dispersion Properties: See solubility in water.
Solubility:
Easily soluble in cold water, hot water. Insoluble in diethyl ether.
Section 10: Stability and Reactivity Data
Stability: The product is stable.
Instability Temperature: Not available.
Conditions of Instability: Incompatible Materials
Incompatibility with various substances:
Reactive with acids. Slightly reactive to reactive with organic materials, metals.
Corrosivity:
Highly corrosive in presence of aluminum, zinc, and brass. Slightly corrosive in presence of copper, of stainless steel(304).
Non-corrosive in presence of glass, of stainless steel(316).
Special Remarks on Reactivity:
Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from air). When dissolved in water or alcohol or when the solution is treated with acid, much
heat is generated. Reacts violently with acids, halogens, halogenated hydrocarbons, maleic anhydride, organic anhydrides,
isocyanates, alkylene oxides, epichlorhydrin, aldehydes, alcohols, gylcols, phenols, cresols, caprolactum solution. Also
incompatible with nitro compouonds (nitrobenzene, nitromethane, nitrogen trichloride), organic materials, acid anhydrides, acid
chlorides, magnesium, peroxidized tetrahydrofuran, chlorine dioxide, maleic dicarbide, sugars. When wet attacks metals such
as aluminum, tin, lead, and zinc. (Potassium hydroxide)
Special Remarks on Corrosivity:
When wet, attacks metals such as aluminum, tin, lead, and zinc, producing flammable hydrogen gas. (Potassium hydroxide)
Polymerization: Will not occur.
Section 11: Toxicological Information
Routes of Entry: Absorbed through skin. Dermal contact. Eye contact.
Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 1365 mg/kg (Rat) (Calculated value for the mixture).
Chronic Effects on Humans:
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Mutagenic for mammalian somatic cells. [Potassium hydroxide]. Contains material which may cause
damage to the following organs: upper respiratory tract, skin.
Other Toxic Effects on Humans:
Extremely hazardous in case of inhalation (lung corrosive). Very hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, .
Hazardous in case of skin contact (corrosive, permeator), of eye contact (corrosive).
Special Remarks on Toxicity to Animals: Not available.
Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans: May affect genetic material based on animal data. (Potassium hydroxide)
Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans:
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Acute Potential Health Effects:Acute Potential Health Effects: Skin: Causes skin irritation and burns. Eyes: Causes eye
irritation and burns. May cause irreversible eye injury. Inhalation: Causes irritation and of the respiratory tract and mucous
membranes. Irritation may lead to chemical pneumonitis Ingestion: Harmful if swallowed. Causes irritation and burns of the
gastrointestinal (digestive) tract with abdominal pain, vomiting and possible death. Chronic Potential Health Effects: Chronic
contact with dilute solutions of potassium hydroxide can cause dermatitis. Inhalation can produce chronic productive cough,
and shortness of breath.
Section 12: Ecological Information
Ecotoxicity: Not available.
BOD5 and COD: Not available.
Products of Biodegradation:
Possibly hazardous short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may arise.
Toxicity of the Products of Biodegradation: The products of degradation are less toxic than the product itself.
Special Remarks on the Products of Biodegradation: Not available.
Section 13: Disposal Considerations
Waste Disposal:
Waste must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local environmental control regulations.
Section 14: Transport Information
DOT Classification: Class 8: Corrosive material
Identification: : Potassium hydroxide, solution (Potassium hydroxide) UNNA: 1814 PG: II
Special Provisions for Transport: Not available.
Section 15: Other Regulatory Information
Federal and State Regulations:
New York release reporting list: Potassium hydroxide Pennsylvania RTK: Potassium hydroxide Florida: Potassium hydroxide
Minnesota: Potassium hydroxide Massachusetts RTK: Potassium hydroxide New Jersey: Potassium hydroxide TSCA 8(b)
inventory: Potassium hydroxide; Water CERCLA: Hazardous substances.: Potassium hydroxide: 1000 lbs. (453.6 kg);
Other Regulations: OSHA: Hazardous by definition of Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
Other Classifications:
WHMIS (Canada):
CLASS D-1B: Material causing immediate and serious toxic effects (TOXIC). CLASS D-2B: Material causing other toxic effects
(TOXIC). CLASS E: Corrosive liquid.
DSCL (EEC):
R25- Toxic if swallowed. R35- Causes severe burns. S1/2- Keep locked up and out of the reach of children. S26- In case of
contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S36/37- Wear suitable protective clothing
and gloves. S39- Wear eye/face protection. S45- In case of accident or if you feel unwell,
HMIS (U.S.A.):
Health Hazard: 3
Fire Hazard: 0
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Reactivity: 0
Personal Protection:
National Fire Protection Association (U.S.A.):
Health: 2
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
Specific hazard:
Protective Equipment:
Gloves. Full suit. Vapor respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Wear appropriate respirator
when ventilation is inadequate. Face shield.
Section 16: Other Information
References: Not available.
Other Special Considerations: Not available.
Created: 10/10/2005 11:45 AM
Last Updated: 05/21/2013 12:00 PM
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