Page 91 - Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

CAUSTIC POTASH SOLUTION 81

vomiting and get medical attention promptly. No specific antidote known; Toxicity by Inhalation
(Threshold Limit Value): 10 ppm; Short-Term Exposure Limits: 25 ppm for 30 min.; Toxicity by
Ingestion: Grade 2; LD,, 0.5 to 5 g/kg (rat); Lute Toxicity: Causes severe liver damage and death if
ingested; Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics: Vapors cause moderate irritation such that personnel
will find high concentrations unpleasant. The effect is temporary; Liquid or Solid Irritant
Characteristics: Minimum hazard. If spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting
and reddening of the skin; Odor Threshold Greater than 10 ppm.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point: Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air (96): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used Not pertinent; Special
Hazards of Combustion Products: Forms poisonous phosgene gas when exposed to open flames;
Behavior in Fire: Decomposes to chloride and phosgene; Ignition Temperature: Not flammable;
Electrical Hazard Not pertinent; Burning Rate: Not flammable.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Comn Materials: No
reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent;
Polymerizm‘on: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

CAUSTIC POTASH SOLUTION
Chemical Designations - Synonyms: Potassium Hydroxide Solution; Lye; Chemical Formula:
KOH-H20.
Observable Characteristics - Physical State (as normally shipped): Liquid; Color: Colorless; Odor:
None.
Physical and Chemical Properties - Physical State at I5 “c and I am. : Liquid; Molecular Weight:
Not pertinent; Boiling Point at I atm. : > 266, > 130, > 403; Freezing Point: Not pertinent; Critical
Temperature: Not pertinent; Critical Pressure: Not pertinent; Specific Gravity: 1.45 - 1.50 at 20°C
(liquid); Vapor (Gas) Density: Not pertinent; Ratio of Specijic Heats of Vapor (Gas): Not pertinent;
Latent Heat of Vaporization: Not pertinent; Heat of Combustion: Not pertinent; Heat ofDecomposition:
Not pertinent.
Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment: Wide-brimmed hat and
close-fitting safety goggles equipped with rubber side shields; long sleeved cotton shirt or jacket with
buttoned collar and buttoned sleeves; rubber or rubber-coated canvas gloves. (Shirt sleeves should be
buttoned over the gloves so that any spilled material will run down the outside). Rubber safety-toe shoes
or boots and cotton overalls. (Trouser cuffs should be worn outside of boots). Rubber apron; Symptoms
Following Exposure: Causes severe burns of eyes, skin, and mucous membranes; General Treatment
for Exposure: (Act quickly!) EYES: flush with water for at least 15 min. SKIN: flush with water, than
rinse with dilute vinegar (acetic acid). INGESTION: give water and milk. Do not induce vomiting. Call
physician immediately, even if injury seems minor; Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Limit Value): Not
pertinent; Toxicity by Ingestion: oral rat LD,, = 365 mg/kg; Late Tm’city: None; Vapor (Gas) Irritant
Characteristics: Not pertinent; Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics: This chemical is a sever skin
irritant. Can cause second- and third-degree chemical burns on short contact and is very injurious to
the eyes.; Odor Threshold Not pertinent.
Fire Hazards - Flash Point: Not flammable; Flammable Limits in Air (%): Not flammable; Fire
Extinguishing Agents: Not pertinent; Fire Extinguishing Agents Not To Be Used Not pertinent; Special
Hazards of Combustion Products: Not pertinent; Behavior in Fire: Not pertinent; Ignition Temperature:
Not pertinent; Electrical Hazard Not pertinent; Burning Rate: Nor flammable.
Chemical Reactivity - Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: Attacks
wool, leather and some metals such as aluminum, tin, lead and zinc to produce flammable hydrogen
gas. This product should be separated from easily ignitible materials; Stability During Transport:
Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Dilute with water and rinse with dilute acid such
as acetic acid; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.