Material Safety Data Sheet
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
1. PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
PRODUCT NAME:
Caustic soda bead, dry, granular or solid; Caustic soda; Lye
OTHER/GENERIC NAMES:
Industrial
PRODUCT USE:
General Chemical Corporation
MANUFACTURER:
90 East Halsey Road
Parsippany, NJ 07054
973-515-1840 800-631-8050
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL:
(24 Hours/Day, 7 Days/Week)
(Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:30pm)
2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENT NAME CAS NUMBER WEIGHT %
Sodium hydroxide 1310-73-2 >97
Sodium carbonate 497-19-8 <3
Trace impurities and additional material names not listed above may appear in Section 15 of this MSDS. These
materials may be listed for local "Right-To-Know" compliance and for other reasons.
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: This product is considered hazardous under the OSHA Hazard
Communication Standard.
3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: White, odorless pellets. Causes burns to skin and eyes.
Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Corrosive. Hygroscopic.
POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS
Severe and rapid corrosion from contact. Extent of damage depends on duration of contact. Even dilute
SKIN:
solutions exert a destructive effect, following prolonged contact. Mist from solutions is extremely
corrosive.
Contact rapidly causes severe damage. Permanent corneal damage almost inevitably results. Even
EYES:
dilute solutions may produce similar effects, although less rapidly. Mist from solutions is extremely
corrosive.
Inhalation of mist or dust can injure the entire respiratory tract with painful and corrosive
INHALATION:
action on tissue. Irritancy expected to become noticeable at 2 mg/m3 in air. The effects of
inhalation can vary, depending upon extent of exposure, from mild mucous membrane
irritation to sudden, severe bronchopneumonia.
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 1 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
Severe and rapid corrosive burns of the mouth, gullet and gastrointestinal tract will result, if
INGESTION:
swallowed. Effects include severe pain, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and collapse.
Some effects may be delayed. Estimated average fatal dose is 5 g (human, adult).
DELAYED EFFECTS: None known.
Ingredients found on one of the three OSHA designated carcinogen lists are listed below.
INGREDIENT NAME NTP STATUS IARC STATUS OSHA LIST
No ingredients listed in this section.
4. FIRST AID MEASURES
Immediately flush under a safety shower. If wearing goggles, flush head and face thoroughly before
SKIN:
removing goggles. Next, wash victim鈥檚 hands until all chemical is removed. Then remove contaminated
clothing and shoes. Contact a physician. Continue washing for one to two hours and then move to a
medical facility if a physician is not available (but only after at least one hour of showering).
Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids apart to facilitate
EYES:
irrigation. Speed is essential. Call a physician. If none is available, irrigate another 15-30 minutes before
moving patient to a medical facility. Have an opthamologist make an evaluation of eye injury.
Remove to fresh air (to be handled by protected personnel). If breathing is difficult, or if victim is
INHALATION:
cyanotic (blue skin) give oxygen provided a qualified operator is present. Get medical attention.
Do not induce vomiting. If possible, and if conscious, immediately give large amounts of water or
INGESTION:
milk. This may be followed by dilute vinegar or fruit juice to neutralize alkali. Get medical attention.
Treat symptomatically.
ADVICE TO PHYSICIAN:
5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
FLAMMABLE PROPERTIES
Not flammable.
FLASH POINT:
Not applicable.
FLASH POINT METHOD:
Not applicable.
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE:
Not applicable.
UPPER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
Not applicable.
LOWER FLAME LIMIT (volume % in air):
Not applicable.
FLAME PROPAGATION RATE (solids):
Not flammable.
OSHA FLAMMABILITY CLASS:
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
If involved in a fire, flood with water, taking care not to splash or scatter this material, and keeping it away from
common metals. Avoid carbon dioxide because it reacts exothermically with this material.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS:
Will react with metals such as aluminum, tin, and zinc (and alloys of these materials) to generate hydrogen gas, a
fire and explosive hazard. Some material may vaporize in a fire. Contact with water or moisture may generate
sufficient heat to ignite combustible materials.
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 2 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PRECAUTIONS/INSTRUCTIONS:
Firefighters should wear self-contained, NIOSH-approved breathing apparatus and full protective clothing,
including eye protection and boots, to protect against vaporized material and mist. Material can melt in a fire and
molten material can react violently with small amounts of water (spattering or misting), and with certain common
metals to liberate flammable hydrogen gas.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
IN CASE OF SPILL OR OTHER RELEASE: (See section 8 for recommended personal protective equipment.)
Clean-up personnel need protection against inhalation and/or skin and eye contact hazards. Dry product can be
promptly shoveled up for recovery or disposal. CAUTION! Avoid dusting and skin or eye contact. Also, delay in
clean-up may allow absorption of moisture from the atmosphere, increasing clean-up difficulties. Control the
disposal of the waste solid. Flush contaminated surfaces with water and neutralize with dilute acid (preferably
acetic acid) to remove final traces. (Sodium bicarbonate may also be used to partially neutralize.) Finally, rinse
with water; attempt to keep out of sewer. Any release to the environment of this product may be subject to federal
and/or state reporting requirements. Check with appropriate agencies.
Spills and releases may have to be reported to Federal and/or local authorities. See Section 15 regarding
reporting requirements.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
NORMAL HANDLING: (See section 8 for recommended personal protective equipment.)
Do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing. Avoid breathing dust or mist, if generated. Keep container closed when
not in use. Use with adequate ventilation and wash thoroughly after handling. When making solutions, use
sufficient agitation and cooling, while adding slowly to surface of solution, to avoid splattering. Avoid handling
conditions that may lead to spills, leaks, ejections, or to the formation of dust or mist. Wear protective clothing.
STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Store in closed containers in a dry, well-ventilated area separate from acids, peroxides, metals, easily ignitable
materials and other incompatibles. Protect against moisture and water. Protect against physical damage. Drains
for storage or use areas for this material should have retention basins for pH adjustment and dilution of spills and
flushings before discharge.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
Not necessary for pellets. However, if made into a solution or if ground up and mist or dust is generated, provide
local exhaust ventilation. In the absence of dust or mist, natural ventilation is adequate. Ventilation facilities
should be of corrosion-resistant construction.
In the event hydrogen gas is generated, a severe ventilation problem is rapidly introduced. Smothering CO2,
coupled with good local ventilation or respiratory protection, is probably the best emergency action. In this
situation, ventilation facility must be explosion-resistant if such an emergency is likely to happen.
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 3 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Wear neoprene or rubber gloves and full protective clothing (apron, boots, etc.) if
SKIN PROTECTION:
there is any possibility of contact with pellets, dust or liquid or mist from solutions.
Contaminated clothing should be removed promptly and washed before reuse.
Wear chemical safety goggles if there is any possibility of contact with liquid or mist
EYE PROTECTION:
with the eyes. Add a face shield if there is any possibility of contact with liquid with
the face. Do not wear contact lenses if handling liquid or dusty solid material.
In the absence of dust or mist, none generally required. For airborne levels of
RESPIRATORY
concern, use a NIOSH-approved, full-facepiece (for eye protection) with a high-
PROTECTION:
efficiency particulate or supplied-air respirator, or a self-contained breathing
apparatus.
Provide eyewash stations, quick-drench showers and washing facilities accessible
ADDITIONAL
to areas of use and handling. Arrange for neutralization supplies and equipment and
RECOMMENDATIONS:
abundant running water.
EXPOSURE GUIDELINES
INGREDIENT NAME ACGIH TLV OSHA PEL OTHER LIMIT
2 mg/m3 ceiling 2 mg/m3 TWA
Sodium hydroxide ------
1
= Limit established by General Chemical Corporation.
2
= Workplace Environmental Exposure Level (AIHA).
3
= Biological Exposure Index (ACGIH).
OTHER EXPOSURE LIMITS FOR POTENTIAL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
None
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
White pellets; hygroscopic.
APPEARANCE:
Solid
PHYSICAL STATE:
40.00
MOLECULAR WEIGHT:
NaOH
CHEMICAL FORMULA:
Odorless
ODOR:
2.13 @ 25C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (water = 1.0):
29.6 @ 0C
SOLUBILITY IN WATER (weight %):
14 (5% solution)
pH:
1390C
BOILING POINT:
318C
MELTING POINT:
Negligible; 1 mm Hg @ 739C
VAPOR PRESSURE:
Not applicable
VAPOR DENSITY (air = 1.0):
Negligible
EVAPORATION RATE: COMPARED TO:
Negligible
% VOLATILES:
Not flammable
FLASH POINT:
(Flash point method and additional flammability data are found in Section 5.)
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 4 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
NORMALLY STABLE? (CONDITIONS TO AVOID):
Stable under normal conditions. Rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture from the air.
INCOMPATIBILITIES:
Common metals and their alloys; acids and their anhydrides; easily oxidizable compounds, including explosives,
aldehydes and unsaturated organics; nitrocarbons and chlorocarbons. Strong exothermic reaction with water or
moisture (generates much heat).
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
None. Remains chemically unchanged even at its boiling temperature.
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION:
Will not occur.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
IMMEDIATE (ACUTE) EFFECTS:
LD50 (ipr, mouse): 40 mg/kg
Rabbit skin: 500 mg / 24 hr / severe
Rabbit eye: 50 碌g / 24 hr / severe
DELAYED (SUBCHRONIC AND CHRONIC) EFFECTS:
Data not available.
OTHER DATA:
None.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Aquatic toxicity: 125 ppm / 96 hr / mosquito fish / TLm / fresh water
180 ppm / 23 hr / oysters / lethal / salt water
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
RCRA
If yes, the RCRA ID number is: D002
Is the unused product a RCRA hazardous waste
if discarded? Yes
OTHER DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Waste Sodium Hydroxide Pellets may be handled by first reducing to an aqueous solution by adding water with
care, neutralizing as per Spill procedures and flushed to sewer with lots of water (regulations permitting) or
disposed through a licensed contractor. Since disposal may be subject to federal, state or local regulations (EPA
corrosive waste, aqueous form), users should review their operations in terms of applicable federal, state and
local laws and regulations, then consult with appropriate regulatory agencies before discharging or disposing of
waste material.
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 5 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
The information offered in section 13 is for the product as shipped. Use and/or alterations to the product such as
mixing with other materials may significantly change the characteristics of the material and alter the RCRA
classification and the proper disposal method.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
8, PG II
US DOT HAZARD CLASS:
UN1823
US DOT ID NUMBER:
Sodium hydroxide, solid
PROPER SHIPPING NAME:
For additional information on shipping regulations affecting this material, contact the information number found in
Section 1.
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TSCA)
Listed on the TSCA inventory.
TSCA INVENTORY STATUS:
None
OTHER TSCA ISSUES:
SARA TITLE III/CERCLA
"Reportable Quantities" (RQs) and/or "Threshold Planning Quantities" (TPQs) exist for the following ingredients.
INGREDIENT NAME SARA/CERCLA RQ (lb) SARA EHS TPQ (lb)
Sodium hydroxide 1000 -----
Spills or releases resulting in the loss of any ingredient at or above its RQ requires immediate notification
to the National Response Center [(800) 424-8802] and to your Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Immediate
SECTION 311 HAZARD CLASS:
SARA 313 TOXIC CHEMICALS:
The following ingredients are SARA 313 "Toxic Chemicals" and may be subject to annual reporting requirements.
CAS numbers and weight percents are found in Section 2.
INGREDIENT NAME COMMENT
No ingredients listed in this section.
STATE RIGHT-TO-KNOW
In addition to the ingredients found in Section 2, the following are listed for state right-to-know purposes.
INGREDIENT NAME WEIGHT % COMMENT
No ingredients listed in this section.
ADDITIONAL REGULATORY INFORMATION:
None
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 6 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Sodium Hydroxide, Pellets
WHMIS CLASSIFICATION (CANADA):
Class E
FOREIGN CHEMICAL CONTROL INVENTORY STATUS:
Listed on EU EINECS and Canadian DSL
16. OTHER INFORMATION
May, 2002
CURRENT ISSUE DATE:
February, 1998
PREVIOUS ISSUE DATE:
CHANGES TO MSDS FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE DATE ARE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING:
Change in format.
None
OTHER INFORMATION:
MSDS Number: GC-3015 Page 7 of 7
Current Issue Date: May, 2002
|