EMS CATALOG NO: 20155
PRODUCT NAME: Potassium Hydroxide
DATE: 09/25/2000
PAGE NUMBER: One of 6
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
The information contained herein is based on data considered
accurate. However, no warranty is expressed or implied
regarding the accuracy of these data or the results to be
obtained from the use thereof.
Electron Microscopy Sciences assumes no responsibility for
personal injury or property damage to vendees, users or
third parties caused by the material. Such vendees or users
assume all risks associated with the use of the material.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCIENCES
321 MORRIS ROAD
P.O. BOX 251
FORT WASHINGTON, PA 19034 24 HOUR EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
(215) 646-1566 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
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FOR PRODUCT AND SALES INFORMATION
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CONTACT ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCIENCES OFFICE ABOVE.
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PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
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PRODUCT NAME: Potassium Hydroxide
CAS NO: 1310-58-3
SYNONYMS: Caustic potash, Potassium hydrate, AC-7650, Ac-7652,
AC-7654T
FORMULA: KOH
FORMULA WT.: 56.11
MATERIAL USE: For laboratory use only.
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INGREDIENTS
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POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE - CAS # % TLV
1310-58-3 85-92 Exposure limits: ACGIH
Ceiling limit 2 mg/m3
WATER - 7732-18-5 Balance Not established
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TOXICITY VALUES OF THE HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS:
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE-Oral (LD50): Acute: 273 mg/kg (Rat).
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PHYSICAL DATA
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PHYSICAL STATE AND APPEARANCE: White crystal, flake or solid.
Odorless. Deliquescent.
pH(1% soln/water): >7
ODOR THRESHOLD: Not available.
PERCENT VOLATILE: Not applicable.
FREEZING POINT: 360oC
BOILING POINT: 1320oC
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 2.04 (Water=1)
VAPOR DENSITY: Not applicable.
VAPOR PRESSURE: 1940-50)mm @ 719oC (1000oC)
WATER/OIL DIST. COEFF.: Not available.
EVAPORATION RATE: Not applicable.
SOLUBILITY: 52.8% @ 20oC (in H2O)
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FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA
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FLASH POINT: None
FLAMMABLE LIMITS: Not applicable.
AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE: Not available.
FIRE DEGRADATION PRODUCTS: Oxides of potassium.
FIRE EXTINGUISHING PROCEDURES:
Use extinguishing media suitable for surrounding materials. Wear
adequate personal protection to prevent contact with material or its
combustion products. Self contained breathing apparatus with a full
facepiece operated in a pressure demand or other positive pressure
mode. Cool containing vessels with flooding quantities of water
until well after fire is out. Keep water away from potassium
hydroxide if possible.
FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS HAZARDS:
This material can melt and flow when heated to 360oC. Hot molten
material will react violently with water resulting in spattering
and fuming. Avoid soaking potassium hydroxide with water due to
violent reaction which will generate sufficient heat to ignite
combustible materials. Reacts with most common metals to produce
hydrogen (explosive and flammable gas). Emits toxic fumes under
fire conditions.
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TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
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ROUTES OF ENTRY: Inhalation and ingestion. Eye and skin contact. Skin
absorption.
EFFECTS OF ACUTE Harmful by ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption.
Very corrosive. Acute effects may be delayed. May be
fatal by ingestion.
EYE: Extremely corrosive. Causes severe burns and loss of vision.
Causes corneal scarring and clouding. Glaucoma, cataracts and
permanent blindness may occur.
SKIN: Very corrosive! Dusts are extremely corrosive to the skin and
rapidly cause severe chemical burns. Moisture on the skin,
such as from perspiration will accelerate tissue damage. Causes
deep and severe burns, ulceration and scarring. IRRITATION.
SKIN-HUMAN 50 mg/24H SEVERE.
INHALATIONS: Material is extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract. Inhalation may be
fatal as a result of spasm, inflammation and edema of the
larynx and bronchi, chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary
edema. Symptoms of exposure may include burning sensation,
coughing, laryngitis, dyspnea, headache, nausea, and
vomiting. May cause severe pneumonitia. May cause
delayed lung injury.
INGESTION: Corrosive! Burns in mouth, pharynx and gastrointestional
tract. May cause pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain,
inflammation of the larynx, extensive damage or
perforation of the esophagus, collapse. May be fatal.
Estimated fatal dose is 5g.
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OVEREXPOSURE:
Repeated inhalation of dust can produce varying degree of
respiratory or lung damage. Repeated skin exposure can produce
dermatitis. Potassium hydroxide has been implicated as a cause of
cancer of the esophagua in individuals who have ingested it. The
cancer may develop 12 to 42 years after the ingestion incident.
Similar cancers have been observed at the sites of severe thermal
burns. These cancers may be due to tissue destruction and scar
formation rather than the potassium hydroxide. To the best of our
knowledge the chronic toxicity of this substance has not been fully
investigated.
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FIRST AID MEASURES
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EYE CONTACT: IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with copious quantities of water
for at least 30 minutes holding lids apart to ensure
flushing of the entire surface. Seek immediate medical
attention. Speed is essential.
SKIN CONTACT: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least
30 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.
Seek immediate medical attention. Wash contaminated
clothing before reusing.
INHALATION: Remove patient to fresh air. Administer approved oxygen
supply if breathing is difficult. Administer artificial
respiration or CPR if breathing has ceased. Seek
immediate medical attention.
INGESTION: DO NOT induce vomiting. If conscious, wash out mouth with
water. Have conscious person drink several glasses of water
or milk. Seek immediate medical attention. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious or convulsing person.
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REACTIVITY DATA
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STABILITY: Unstable. Absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture from air.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: Not available.
INCOMPATIBILITY:
Acids, water, flammable/combustible materials, organic materials,
peroxides, organohalogen compounds (may react to form spontaneously
combustible materials), nitro and chlora organic compounds (may
react explosively), acid anhydrides, acid chlorides, chlorohydrin,
maleic anhydride, nitromethane, nitroethane, nitropropane,
nitroparaffins, phosphorus, oxides, 1,2-dichloroethylene,
chlorosulfonic acid, trichloroethylene, chloroform,
tetrachlorobenzene, chlorine trifluoride, chloronitrotoluenes,
tetrahydrofuran, carbides, chlorides, chlorine dioxide,
0-nitrophenol, tetrachloroethane, potassium persulfate, nitrogen
trichloride, azides, n-nitrosomethylurea. Acroleine, acrylonitrile,
acetaldehyde (Violent polymerization). Reacts with most common
metals to produce hydrogen (magnesium, copper, aluminum, zinc, lead,
tin, brass, bronze, etc..).
REACTION PRODUCTS:
Will corrode a wide variety of metals. Contact with nitro organic
compounds may form shock sensitive materials.Trichloroethylene
will react to form dichloroacetylene which is spontanously
flammable. Hazardous polymerization will not occur.
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PREVENTIVE MEASURES
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PROTECTIVE CLOTHING IN CASE OF SPILL AND LEAK:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, rubber boots and heavy
rubber gloves. Full suit.
SPILL AND LEAK:
Evacuate the area. Eliminate all sources of ignition. Use a shovel
to put the product into a convenient water disposal container Avoid
raising dust. Ventilate area and wash spill site after material
pick up is complete. DO NOT empty into drains. DO NOT touch spilled
material. Solutions of greater than 40% are very slippery causing a
slipping hazard on floors.
WASTE DISPOSAL:
For small quantities: Neutralize carefully with weak acid to pH 6 to
8. Dispose of waste material at an approved (hazardous) waste
treatment/disposal facility in accordance with applicable local,
provincial and federal regulations.
STORAGE AND HANDLING:
Store in a cool place away from heated areas, sparks, and flame.
Store in a well ventilated area. Store away from incompatible
materials. Do not add any other material to the container. Do not
wash down the drain. Do not breath dust. In case of insufficient
ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment. Keep container
tightly closed and dry. Manipulate under an adequate fume hood.
Avoid raising dust. Empty containers may contain a hazardous
residue. Handle and open container with care. Minimize dust
generation and exposure - use dust mask or appropriate protection.
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. This product must
be manipulated by qualified personnel. Do not get in eyes, on skin,
or on clothing. Wash well after use. In accordance with good
storage and handling practices. Do not allow smoking and food
consumption while handling. Product is highly hygroscopic.
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PROTECTIVE MEASURES
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PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:
Face shield and splash goggles. Impervious rubber gloves, apron,
coveralls, and/or other resistant protective clothing. Sufficient to
protect skin. A OSHA/MSHA jointly approved respirator is advised in the
absence of proper environmental controls. If more than TLV, do not
breathe vapor. Wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Have available
and use as appropriate: rubber suits, aprons, and boots. Do not wear
contact lenses. Make eye bath and emergency shower available. Ensure
that eyewash station and safety shower is proximat to the work station.
ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
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Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering
controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits.
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OTHER INFORMATION
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SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS OR COMMENTS:
Extremely corrosive! Toxic! Causes severe burns! Corrosive
affects on skin and eyes may be delayed, and damage may occur
without the sensation or onset of pain. Strict adherence to first
aid measures following any exposure is essential. Do not breathe
dust. Avoid all contact with the product. Avoid prolonged or
repeated exposure. Use only in a chemical fume hood. When
diluting, add this product to water in small amounts to avoid
spattering. Never add water to this product. The water should be
lukewarm. Never start with hot or cold water.
RTECS NO: TT2100000.
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