| Agent Name |
Sodium hydroxide |
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| CAS Number |
1310-73-2 |
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| Formula |
H-Na-O |
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| Major Category |
Other Classes |
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| Synonyms |
Aetznatron; Ascarite; Caustic soda; Caustic soda, liquid; Collo-Grillrein; Collo-Tapetta; Fuers Rohr; Hydroxyde de sodium [French]; Lewis-red devil lye; Liquid-plumr; Natrium causticum; Natrium-hydroxid, reinstes; Natriumhydroxid [German]; Natriumhydroxyde [Dutch]; Plung; Rohrputz; Rohrreiniger Rofix; Soda lye; Soda, caustic; Soda, hydrate; Soda, kaustische; Sodio(idrossido di) [Italian]; Sodium hydrate; Sodium hydrate solution; Sodium hydroxide; Sodium hydroxide (Na(OH)); Sodium hydroxide (Na2(OH)2); Sodium hydroxide dimer; Sodium(hydroxyde de) [French]; White caustic; White caustic solution; [ChemIDplus] UN1823 (solid); UN1824 (solution); |
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| Category |
Bases |
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| Description |
Colorless to white, odorless solid (flakes, beads, granular form); [NIOSH] Deliquescent; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used to neutralize acids, produce sodium salts, hydrolyze fats to make soaps, and precipitate metals; large amounts are used in petroleum refining, rayon production, and rubber reclaiming; [Merck Index # 8627] Also used in metal cleaning, electroplating, processing cotton fabrics, and bleeching; [ATSDR Medical Management] Used in photography (developing bath); [www.ci.tucson.az.us/arthazards/medium.html] |
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| Comments |
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact; [CHRIS] In studies using rabbits, instillation by oral intubation caused within 10 seconds: erosion into the stomach muscle with 12% solutions; perforation with 28% solutions; and no damage with 1% solutions. Application to the skin of a 5% solution caused severe necrosis after 4 hours. Application of a 1% solution to the eyes caused no damage if the eyes were immediately irrigated. [ACGIH] Solutions > 30% are highly corrosive to skin. [Quick CPC] Inhalation of the aerosol can cause pulmonary edema. [ICSC] |
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| Reference Link |
ATSDR Medical Management - Sodium hydroxide |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
No |
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| Ceiling (ACGIH) |
2 mg/m3 |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
2 mg/m3 |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
10 mg/m3 |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
Human data: Workplace concentrations ranging from 2 to 8 mg/m3 have been associated with irritation of the respiratory system [Ott et al. 1977]. |
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| Reference Link |
International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO) |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
0: will not burn |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Toxic Pneumonitis |
Yes |
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| Dermatotoxin |
Skin Burns |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: SODIUM HYDROXIDE
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