SODIUM HYDROXIDE

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Basic information

  • Chemical formula(s): \({\rm NaOH}\)
  • Other names: caustic soda, sodium hydrate, soda lye
  • CAS: 1310-73-2
  • International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0360
  • Flammability: no
  • NOAA’s description (solution, solid): colourless liquid, more dense than water or white solid, corrosive to metals and tissue

NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

  • Health (blue): 3 - short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury.
  • Flammability (red): 0 - will not burn under typical fire conditions, will not burn in air unless exposed to a temperature of 820 °C for more than 5 minutes.
  • Instability–reactivity (yellow): 1 - normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.
  • Special notice (white):
    • ALK - alkaline.

Hazard statements

Code Phrase
H290 may be corrosive to metals
H302 harmful if swallowed
H314 causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Precautionary statements

Code Phrase
P280 wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing
P310 immediately call the ETH Emergency Desk: +41 44 342 11 88 (from mobile) or 888 (from landline)

Protective masures

Gloves

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart categorize gloves into four protection levels (very good, good, fair, poor (not recommended)) for given chemical. The levels of protection against sodium hydroxide for four types of gloves are:

  • Neoprene: very good.
  • Natural latex or rubber: very good.
  • Buthyl: very good.
  • Nitrile: very good.

Safety goggles

  • Always wear safety goggles when handling sodium hydroxide. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
  • Handle sodium hydroxide inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).

Clothing

  • Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
  • Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
  • Do not wear cosmetics.
  • Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
  • Do not wear headphones.

Spill management

  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Avoid dust formation, avoid breathing dust.
  • Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
  • Sweep up without creating dust and arrange disposal.
  • Do not let it enter drain.
  • If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).