POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
MSDS Number: P5884 --- Effective Date: 11/24/97
1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Caustic potash; potassium hydrate
CAS No.: 1310-58-3
Molecular Weight: 56.11
Chemical Formula: KOH
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker:
3140, 3141, 3146, 3150, 5685
Mallinckrodt:
6964, 6976, 6984, 7704, 7815
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------
Potassium Hydroxide 1310-58-3 85 - 90% Yes
Water 7732-18-5 10 - 15% No
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE.
CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO SKIN, EYES, RESPIRATORY TRACT, AND GASTROINTESTINAL
TRACT. MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE TO ALL BODY TISSUES. MAY BE FATAL
IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED.
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 3 - Severe (Poison)
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate
Contact Rating: 4 - Extreme (Corrosive)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES
Storage Color Code: White Stripe (Store Separately)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Severe irritant. Effects from inhalation of dust or mist vary from mild
irritation to serious damage of the upper respiratory tract, depending on
the severity of exposure. Symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, damage
to the nasal or respiratory tract. High concentrations can cause lung
damage.
Ingestion:
Toxic! Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat and stomach.
Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea. Severe scarring of tissue
and death may result. Estimated lethal dose: 5 grams.
Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and
scarring with greater exposures.
Eye Contact:
Highly Corrosive! Causes irritation of eyes with tearing, redness,
swelling. Greater exposures cause severe burns with possible blindness
resulting.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged contact with dilute solutions or dust of potassium hydroxide has
a destructive effect on tissue.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired
respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the
substance.
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never
give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention
immediately.
Skin Contact:
In case of contact, immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at
least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash
clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse. Get medical
attention immediately.
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 combustible, but contact with water or moisture may generate enough heat to ignite combustibles.
Explosion:
Can react with chemically reactive metals such as aluminum, zinc,
magnesium, copper, etc. to release hydrogen gas which can form explosive
mixtures with air.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire.
Special Information:
Solution process causes formation of corrosive mists. Hot or molten
material can react violently with water. 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. Keep unnecessary and unprotected people
away from area of spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as
specified in Section 8. Spills: Pick up and place in a suitable container
for reclamation or disposal, using a method that does not generate dust.
Do not flush caustic residues to the sewer. Residues from spills can be
diluted with water, neutralized with dilute acid such as acetic,
hydrochloric or sulfuric. Absorb neutralized caustic residue on clay,
vermiculite or other inert substance and package in a suitable container
for disposal.
US Regulations (CERCLA) require 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.
J. T. Baker NEUTRACIT(tm)-2 or BuCAIM(tm) caustic neutralizers are
recommended for spills of solutions of this product.
7. Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area.
Protect against physical damage. Isolate from incompatible substances.
Protect from moisture. Addition to water releases heat which can result in
violent boiling and spattering. Always add slowly and in small amounts.
Never use hot water. Containers of this material may be hazardous when
empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all
warnings and precautions listed for the product.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
- OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
2 mg/m3 Ceiling
- ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
2 mg/m3 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):
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 or neoprene gloves and additional protection including impervious
boots, apron, or coveralls, as needed in areas of unusual exposure.
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:
White deliquescent solid
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
52.8% in water @ 20C (68F)
Specific Gravity:
2.04
pH:
13.5 (0.1 molar solution)
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
1320C (2408F)
Melting Point:
360C (680F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
1.0 @ 714C (1317F)
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Carbon monoxide when reacting with carbohydrates, and hydrogen gas when
reacting with aluminum, zinc and tin. Thermal oxidation can produce toxic
fumes of potassium oxide (K2O).
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Contact with water, acids, flammable liquids and organic halogen compounds,
especially trichloroethylene, may cause fire or explosion. Contact with
nitromethane and other similar nitro compounds cause formation of shock
sensitive salts. Contact with metals such as aluminum, tin and zinc causes
formation of flammable hydrogen gas.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, moisture, 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 handled as
hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. 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
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN/NA: UN1813
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 110LB
International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN/NA: UN1813
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 110LB
International (Air, I.C.A.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN/NA: UN1813
Packing Group: II
Information reported for product/size: 110LB
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: Yes (Mixture / Solid)
Australian Hazchem Code: 2R
Poison Schedule: S6
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: 3 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE.
CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO SKIN, EYES, RESPIRATORY TRACT, AND GASTROINTESTINAL
TRACT. MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE TO ALL BODY TISSUES. MAY BE FATAL IF
SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED.
Label Precautions:
Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Do not breathe dust.
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.
Revision Information:
New 16 section MSDS format, all sections have been revised.
Disclaimer:
************************************************************************************************
Mallinckrodt Baker, 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. MALLINCKRODT
BAKER, 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, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC.
WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS
INFORMATION.
************************************************************************************************
Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)