MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

Sodium Hydroxide
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Date of Issue: 21 Sept 06

STATEMENT OF HAZARDOUS NATURE

Hazardous according to criteria of Worksafe Australia

COMPANY DETAILS

Company: ProSciTech
Address: PO Box 111, Thuringowa Central Qld. 4817 Australia
Street Address: 1/11 Carlton Street, Kirwan Qld, 4817 Australia
Telephone Number: (07) 4773 9444
Fax Number: (07) 4773 2244

IDENTIFICATION SECTION

Product Name Sodium Hydroxide

Other Names Not available
Product Code C200, C2005
U.N. Number UN1823
Dangerous Goods Class 8
and Subsidiary Risk None allocated
Hazchem Code 2X
Poison Schedule S6
Use Common caustic solution

Physical Description and Properties

Appearance White, deliquescent, odourless pellets
Boiling Point/Melting Point BP 1388oC; MP 318oC
Vapour Pressure 0
Specific Gravity 2.1
Flash Point Not applicable
Flammability Limits Not determined
Solubility in water 1111g/L, approx.54% @ 200C

Other Properties

Ingredients
Chemical Name CAS Number Proportion
Sodium hydroxide 1310-73-2 99 100%
NaOH
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Sodium Hydroxide

HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION

Health Effects:
Acute
Swallowed: Will cause severe irritation and chemical burns to the gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Eye: Corrosive. Can cause permanent eye damage and blindness. Severe pain and
tearing.
Skin: Will cause severe irritation and chemical burns in contact with the skin, which
can result in tissue destruction.
Inhaled: Dusts and mists will cause severe irritation and chemical burns to the
respiratory tract.
First Aid:
Swallowed: Do not induce vomiting. Immediately wash out mouth with water and then give
plenty of water to drink. Seek immediate medical attention.
Eye: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for approximately 20 minutes
holding eyelid open. Call a doctor immediately.
Skin: Remove all contaminated clothing. Wash gently and thoroughly with water for
15 minutes. Ensure contaminated clothing is washed before re-use or discard. If
contact is more than of minor nature, seek medical attention.
Inhaled: Remove the source of contamination or move the victim to fresh air. Ensure
airways are clear and have a qualified person give oxygen through a face mask
if breathing is difficult. If victim has stopped breathing begin artificial
respiration, or if heart has stopped, cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
First Aid Facilities: Safety showers, eye wash and normal washroom facilities.
Advice to Doctor: Corrosive. May cause stricture. If lavage is performed, endotraceal and/or
esophagoscopic control is suggested. Material is strong alkali. If skin burns are
present, treat as any thermal burn after decontamination. Eye irrigation may be
necessary for extended period of time to remove as much alkali as possible.
Duration of irrigation and treatment is at the discretion of attending medical
personnel. No specific antidote. Supportive care suggested. Treatment based
on judgement of attending physician and reaction of patient.

PRECAUTIONS FOR USE

Exposure Standards: TWA 2mg/m3. Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 2mg/m3

Engineering Controls: Where dust is generated the use of a mechanical exhaust ventilation system is
recommended.
Personal Protection: Protection of hands: the use of Nitrile or Neoprene gloves is recommended.
Eye protection: The use of face shields, chemical goggles or safety glasses with
side shield protection complying with AS/NZS 1337 is recommended.
Body protection: The use of plastic apron, sleeves overalls and rubber boots is
recommended.
Where ventilation is inadequate the use of a Class P1 or P2 respirator
complying with AS/NZS 1715 and 1716 is recommended.
Flammability: Not flammable under conditions of use.

SAFE HANDLING INFORMATION

Storage and Transport: Requirements to be met by storerooms and containers: Provide alkali-resistant
floor. Unsuitable material for container: aluminium, zinc, tin, lead, glass. Do
not store together with acids, oxidisers and chlorinated organic compounds.
This product is hydroscopic. Protect from humidity and keep away from water.
Protect for carbon dioxide. Store upright in cool, dry well ventilated area in
well sealed containers. Remove closure carefully to release possible internal
pressure. UN1823 Hazard group: 8 Packaging group: II Correct
shipping name: Sodium hydroxide, solid. This material is a Class 8
Corrosive Substance according to the Australian Code for the Transport of
Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail. Class 8 Corrosive Substances are
incompatible in a placard load with any of the following: Class 1, Explosives.
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Sodium Hydroxide
Class 4.3, Dangerous when wet substances. Class 5.1, Oxidising agents and
Class 5.2, Organic peroxides. Class 6, Toxic substances (where the toxic
substances are cyanides and the corrosives are acids). Class 7, Radioactive
substances.
Class 8 substances are incompatible with food and food packaging in any
quantity.
Spills and Disposal: Wear protective equipment. Keep unprotected persons away. Do not allow to
enter drainage system, surface or ground water. Do not allow to enter the
ground/soil. Sweep or vacuum material avoiding dust generation. Ensure
adequate ventilation. Dispose of contaminated material as waste. Must not be
disposed of together with household garbage. Do not allow product to reach
sewage system. Dispose in accordance with local, state and federal EPA waste
regulations. Neutralisation is the preferred method of disposal.
Fire/Explosion Hazard: Solutions may react with aluminium and other soft metals to generate hydrogen
which is flammable and/or explosive if ignited.
Suitable extinguishing agents: Carbon dioxide; fire-extinguishing powder; dry
sand; cement.
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Wear full protective suit.
Hazardous Reaction Heat generated upon dilution with water. Dilute only by adding to water with
agitation. Do not add water to sodium hydroxide.

OTHER INFORMATION

Incompatibilities Incompatible with strong oxidising agents and strong acids, organic materials,
(Materials to avoid) aluminium, tin, zinc and nitro compounds. Absorbs CO2 from air. Can react
with moisture from air.
Animal Toxicity Data: Skin (rabbit): severe irritation 500mg/24H. Eyes (rabbit): severe irritation
1mg/30sec rinse.

The information published in this Material Safety Data Sheet has been compiled from data in various technical
publications. It is the users responsibility to determine the suitability of this information for adoption of necessary
safety precautions. We reserve the right to revise material Safety Data Sheets as new information becomes available.
Copies may be made for non-profit use.