MSDS - Sodium hydroxide

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Sodium Hydroxide material data safety sheet. Reproduced with kind permission of the Department of Chemistry, Oxford University.

Last updated September 17, 2010

Common synonyms	Caustic soda. Soda. Lye.
Formula	NaOH
Properties	Form: White semi-transparent solid, often supplied as pellets weighing about 0.1g Stability: Stable, but hygroscopic. Absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. Melting point: 318°C Water solubility: high (dissolution is very exothermic). Specific gravity: 2.12
Principal hazards	Contact with the eyes can cause serious long-term damage. The solid and its solutions are corrosive. Significant heat is released when sodium hydroxide dissolves in water.
Safe handling	Always wear safety glasses. Do not allow solid or solution to come into contact with your skin. When preparing solutions swirl the liquid constantly to prevent "hot spots" developing.
Emergency	Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. Continue for at least ten minutes and call for immediate medical help. Skin contact: Wash off with plenty of water. Remove any contaminated clothing. If the skin reddens or appears damaged, call for medical aid. If swallowed: If the patient is conscious, wash out the mouth well with water. Do not try to induce vomitting. Call for immediate medical help.
Disposal	Small amounts of dilute sodium hydroxide can be flushed down a sink with a large quantity of water, unless local rules prohibit this. Larger amounts should be neutralised before disposal.
Protective equipment	ALWAYS wear safety glasses when handling sodium hydroxide or its solutions. If you need gloves, neoprene, nitrile or natural rubber are suitable for handling solutions at concentrations of up to 70%.
Further information	More extensive safety data

Bio-rich-time-poor 21:28, 25 June 2011 (BST)