REAGENTS, INC.--MSDS--POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, 0.10N PAGE -1-
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, 0.10N
1. Chemical Product And Company Identification
Company's Name: REAGENTS, INC.
Company's P. O. Box: 240746
Company's City: CHARLOTTE
Company's State: NC
Company's Country: US
Company's Zip Code: 28224
Company's Info Ph #: 704/554-7474, 800/732-8484
Emergencies, call CHEMTREC: 800-424-9300
Date MSDS Prepared: May 19, 2003
Synonyms: Caustic potash solutions, Potassium hydroxide solutions
CAS No.: 1310-58-3
Molecular Weight: 56.11
Chemical Formula: KOH
Product Codes: P-1016
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------
Potassium Hydroxide 1310-58-3 <1%(w/w) Yes
Water 7732-18-5 Remainder No
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
CAUTION! MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO SKIN,
EYES, RESPIRATORY TRACT AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. AVOID CONTACT WITH
EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING. WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING.
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Health Rating: 2 - Moderate
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 0 - None
Contact Rating: 2 - Moderate (Corrosive)
Lab Protective Equip: Goggles & shield; lab coat and apron; vent hood; proper gloves
Storage Color Code: White (Corrosive)
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Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Eye Contact: May cause slight irritation.
Inhalation: May cause irritation.
Skin Contact: May cause slight irritation.
Ingestion: May cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Chronic Exposure: No information found.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: No information found.
Route Of Entry Indicators: INHALATION: No; SKIN: Yes; INGESTION: Yes
4. First Aid Measures
First aid procedures given apply to concentrated solutions. Exposures to dilute solutions may not
require these extensive first aid procedures.
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give
oxygen. Call a physician.
Ingestion: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything by
mouth to an unconscious person. Call a physician immediately.
Skin Contact: In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Call a physician.
Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper
eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire: Not considered to be a fire hazard.
Explosion: Not considered to be an explosion hazard.
Fire Extinguishing Media: Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire.
Special Information: In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-
contained breathing apparatus with full-facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive
pressure mode.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8.
Contain and recover liquid when possible. Collect liquid in an appropriate container or absorb with an
inert material (e. g., vermiculite, dry sand, earth), and place in a chemical waste container. Do not use
combustible materials, such as saw dust. Do not flush to sewer! US Regulations (CERCLA) require
REAGENTS, INC.--MSDS--POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, 0.10N PAGE -3-
reporting spills and releases to soil, water and air in excess of reportable quantities. The toll free number
for the US Coast Guard National Response Center is (800) 424-8802.
7. Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage.
Separate from acids and alkalis. Protect from freezing. Containers of this material may be hazardous
when empty since they retain product residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings and precautions
listed for the product.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
For Potassium Hydroxide [1310-58-3]:
- OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 2 mg/m 3 Ceiling
- ACGIH Threshold Limit value (TLV): 2 mg/m 3 Ceiling
Ventilation System: A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee
exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because
it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general
work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended
Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved): Not expected to require personal respirator usage. If the
exposure limit is exceeded, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn for up to ten times the exposure
limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator
supplier, whichever is lowest. A full-face piece dust/mist respirator may be worn up to 50 times the
exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or
respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not
known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying
respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection: Rubber gloves and lab coat, apron or coveralls.
Eye Protection: Use chemical safety goggles and/or a full face shield where splashing is possible.
Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Clear, colorless solution.
Odor: Odorless.
Solubility: Miscible in water.
Density: ca. 1.02
pH: >13.5
% Volatiles by volume @ 21oC (70oF): > 90 (as water)
Boiling Point: ca. 100oC (ca. 212oF)
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Melting Point: ca. 0oC (ca. 32oF)
Vapor Density (Air=1): No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg): No information found.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1): No information found.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability: Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Potassium oxide at very high temperatures.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.
Incompatibilities: Acids.
Conditions to Avoid: Incompatibles.
11. Toxicological Information
For potassium hydroxide: Oral rat LD50: 273 mg/kg; Investigated as a mutagen. Skin Irritation Data
(std Draize, 50 mg/24 H): Human, Severe; Rabbit, Severe. Eye Irritation Data(Rabbit, non-std test,1
mg/24 H, rinse): Moderate.
--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) No No None
Water (7732-18-5) No No None
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate: No information found.
Environmental Toxicity: Potassium Hydroxide: TLm: 80 ppm/Mosquito fish/ 24 hr./ Fresh water
13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved
waste facility. Although not a listed RCRA hazardous waste, this material may exhibit one or more
characteristics of a hazardous waste and require appropriate analysis to determine specific disposal
requirements. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management
options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of
container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.
14. Transport Information
REAGENTS, INC.--MSDS--POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, 0.10N PAGE -5-
Not regulated.
15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Water (7732-18-5) Yes Yes Yes Yes
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) Yes Yes No Yes
Water (7732-18-5) Yes Yes No Yes
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) No No No No
Water (7732-18-5) No No No No
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) 1000 No No
Water (7732-18-5) No No No
Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: No Pressure: No
Reactivity: No (Mixture / Liquid)
WHMIS: This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products
Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.
16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings: Health: 2 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 0
Label Hazard Warning: CAUTION! MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. MAY CAUSE
IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES, RESPIRATORY TRACT AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
REAGENTS, INC.--MSDS--POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, 0.10N PAGE -6-
AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING. WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER
HANDLING.
Label Precautions:
Do not breathe mist.
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid: If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never
give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin with
plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing
before reuse. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. In all cases get medical attention immediately.
Product Use: Laboratory Reagent.
Disclaimer:
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Reagents, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good faith but makes no representation
as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This document is intended only as a guide to the
appropriate precautionary handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product.
Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its
appropriateness for a particular purpose. REAGENTS, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION
ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO
WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, REAGENTS, INC. WILL NOT BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS
INFORMATION.
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