EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 
EMS PRODUCT:  Sodium Hydroxide Aq
DATE:   11/08/95
PAGE NUMBER:  One of 10


MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

The information contained herein is based on data considered
accurate. However, no warranty is expressed or implied
regarding the accuracy of these data or the results to be obtained
from the use thereof.

Electron Microscopy Sciences assumes no responsibility for
personal injury or property damage to vendees, users or
third parties caused by the material. Such vendees or users
assume all risks associated with the use of the material.


ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCIENCES
321 MORRIS ROAD
P.O. BOX 251
FORT WASHINGTON, PA 19034 24 HOUR EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
(215) 646-1566 CHEMTREC: (800) 424-9300
_________________________________________________________________

FOR PRODUCT AND SALES INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________

CONTACT ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SCIENCES OFFICE ABOVE.

_________________________________________________________________

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
_________________________________________________________________

PRODUCT NAME: Sodium Hydroxide Solutions, 2N 

CAS NUMBER: 1310-73-2

TRADE NAMES/SYNONYMS:

Caustic Soda Solution; Lye Solution; Soda Lye; Sodium Hydroxide
Solution; Sodium Hydroxide Liquid; White Caustic Solution; SS-266;
SS-270; SS-441; SS-272; SS-274; SS-276; SS-278; SS-282; SS-284; 
SS-277; S-283; UN 1824; ACC40177
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COMPONENTS AND CONTAMINANTS
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COMPONENT: Sodium Hydroxide PERCENT: 8%
COMPONENT: Water  PERCENT: 92%
OTHER CONTAMINANTS: None
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 2 of 10)

EXPOSURE LIMITS: SODIUM HYDROXIDE:
2 mg/m3 OSHA TWA
2 mg/m3 ACGIH CEILING
2 mg/m3 NIOSH RECOMMENDED 15 MINUTE CEILING

1000 POUNDS CERCLA SECTION 103 REPORTABLE QUANTITY SUBJECT TO
SARA SECTION 313 ANNUAL TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE REPORTING (SOLUTION)
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PHYSICAL DATA
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DESCRIPTION: Clear liquid
BOILING POINT: 212oF (100oC)
MELTING POINT: 32oF (0oC)
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.0
VAPOR PRESSURE: 14 mm Hg (water)
EVAPORATION RATE (ETHER=1): > 1
pH: Alkaline
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: Complete
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FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA
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FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD: Negligible fire hazard when exposed to
heat or flame.

FLASH POINT: Non-combustible

FIREFIGHTING MEDIA: 

Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, halon, water spray or standard foam
(1987 Emergency Response Guidebook, DOT P 5800.4). For larger fires,
use water spray, fog or standard foam (1987 Emergency Response
Guidebook, DOT P 5800.4).

FIREFIGHTING:

Move containers from fire area if possible. Cool containers
exposed to flames with water from side until well after fire
is out. Stay away from storage tank ends (1987 Emergency
Response Guidebook, DOT P 5800.4, Guide Page 60).

Use agent suitable for type of fire; use flooding quantities
of water as fog, apply from as far a distance as possible.
Avoid breathing corrosive vapors, keep upwind.
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TRANSPORTATION DATA
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DOT HAZARD CLASSIFICATION 49CFR172.101: Corrosive material
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 3 of 10)

DOT LABELING REQUIREMENTS 49CFR172.101 AND 172.402: Corrosive

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS: 49CFR173.249
EXCEPTIONS: 49CFR173.244
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TOXICITY
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IRRITATION DATA:

1%/24 hours eye-monkey severe; 500 mg/24 hours skin-rabbit
severe; 1% eye-rabbit severe; 50 ug/24 hours eye-rabbit
severe; 1 mg/24 hour eye-rabbit severe; 400 ug eye-rabbit
mild; 100 mg rinsed eye-rabbit severe

TOXICITY DATA:

140-340 mg/kg oral-rat LD50; 500 mg/kg oral-rabbit LDLO;
1350 mg/kg skin-rabbit LD50; 40 mg/kg intraperitoneal mouse
LD50; mutagenic data (RTECS)

CARCINOGEN STATUS: None

LOCAL EFFECTS:  Corrosive - eye, skin, mucous membranes.

ACUTE TOXICITY LEVEL: Toxic by ingestion; moderately toxic by dermal
absorption.

TARGET EFFECTS: No data available.
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HEALTH EFFECTS AND FIRST AID
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INHALATION: SODIUM HYDROXIDE: Corrosive 

250 mg/m3 immediately dangerous to life or health.

ACUTE EXPOSURE:

Effects due to inhalation of dusts or mist may vary from mild 
irritation of the nose at 2 mg/m3 to severe pneumonitis depending
on the severity of exposure. Low concentrations may cause mucous
membrane irritation with sore throat, coughing, and dyspnea. Intense
exposures may result in destruction of mucous membranes and delayed
pulmonary edema or pneumonitis. Shock may occur.

CHRONIC EXPOSURE:

Repeated exposures of 5000 mg/l were harmless to rats, but 10,000
mg/l led to nervousness, sore eyes, diarrhea and retarded 
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 4 of 10)

growth. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of dusts or 
10,000mg/l led to nervousness, sore eyes, diarrhea and retarded 
growth. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of dusts or 
mists may cause discomfort and ulceration of nasal passages. Rats
exposed 30 minutes/day to unmeasured concentrations of sodium
hydroxide aerosols suffered pulmonary damage after 2 - 3months.
Death occurred in 2 of 10 rats exposed to an aerosol of 40% aqueous
sodium hydroxide for 30 minutes, twice a week for 3 weeks. Histopathological
examination showed mostly normal lung tissue with foci of enlarge
alveolar septae, emphysema, bronchial ulceration, and enlarged
lympth adenoidal tissues. An epidemiologic study of 291 workers
chronically exposed to caustic dusts for 30 years or more found
no significant increase in mortality in relation to duration or
intensity of such exposures.

FIRST AID:

Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately. If breathing
has stopped, give artificial respiration. Maintain airway and blood
pressure and administer oxygen if available. Keep affected person
warm and at rest. Treat symptomatically and support-
ively. Administration of oxygen should be performed by qualified
personnel. Get medical attention immediately.

SKIN CONTACT: SODIUM HYDROXIDE: Corrosive

ACUTE EXPOSURE:

Upon contact with the skin, damage including redness, cutaneous
burns, skin fissures and white eschars may occur without immediate
pain. Exposure to solutions as weak as 0.03 N (0.12%) for 1 hour
has caused injury to healthy skin. Solutions of 25-50% caused no
sensation of irritation within 3 minutes in human subjects. With
solutions of 0.4-4%, irritation does not occur until after several
hours. Skin biopsies from human subjects having 1 N Sodium Hydroxide
applied to their arms for 15 to 180 minutes showed progressive
changes beginning with dissolution of the cells in the horny layer
and progressing through edema to total destruction of the epidermis
in 60 minutes. A 5% aqueous solution caused severe necrosis to
the skin of rabbits when applied for 4 hours. Alkalies penetrate
the skin slowly. The extent of injury depends on the duration of
contact. If sodium hydroxide is not removed from the skin, severe
burns with deep ulceration may occur. Exposure to the dust or
mist may cause multiple small burns and temporary loss of air. 
Pathologic findings due to alkalies may include gelatinous, necrotic
areas at the site of contact.

CHRONIC EXPOSURE:
Effects are dependent upon concentration and duration of 
exposure. Dermatitis or effects similar to those for acute exposure
may occur.
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 5 of 10)
FIRST AID:

Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected
area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water until
no evidence of chemical remains (at least 15-20 minutes). In case
of chemical burns, cover area with sterile, dry dressing, bandage
securely, but not too tightly. Get medical attention immediately.

EYE CONTACT: SODIUM HYDROXIDE: Corrosive

ACUTE EXPOSURE:

Contact may cause disintegration and sloughing of conjunctival 
and corneal epithelium, corneal opacification, marked edema and 
ulceration. After 7 to 13 days either gradual recovery begins or
there is progression of ulceration and corneal opacification. Complications
of severe eye burns are symblepharon with overgrowth of the cornea
by a vacularized membrane, progressive or recurrent corneal ulceration
and permanent corneal opacification. Blindness may occur.

CHRONIC EXPOSURE:

Effects are dependent upon concentration and duration of exposure.
Conjunctivitis or effects similar to those for acute exposure may
occur.

FIRST AID:

Wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water, occasionally
lifting upper and lower lids, until no evidence of chemical remains
(at least 15-20 minutes). Continue irrigating with normal saline
until the pH has returned to normal (30-60 minutes). Cover with
sterile bandages. Get medical attention immediately.

INGESTION: SODIUM HYDROXIDE: Corrosive/Toxic

ACUTE EXPOSURE:

The reported lethal dose in rats is 140-340 mg/kg. Ingestion may
cause a burning sensation in the mouth, corrosion of the lips, mouth,
tongue and pharyx, and severe esophageal and abdominal pain. Vomiting
of blood and large pieces of mucosa, and bloody diarrhea, aphyxia
can occur from swelling of the throat. Mediastinitis, alkalemia,
pallor, weak, slow pulse, cardio-
vascular collapse, shock, coma and death may occur. Perforation
of the alimentary tract and constrictive scarring may result. 
Esophageal stricture may occur weeks, moths, or even years later 
to make swallowing difficult. The estimated fatal dose in man is
5 grams. Cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus have 
occurred with latent periods of 12 to 42 years after ingestion. 
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 6 of 10)

These cancers were believed to be sequela of tissue destruction
and possibly scar formation rather than the result of direct carcinogenic
action of sodium hydroxide.

CHRONIC EXPOSURE:

Depending on the concentration, repeated ingestion of alkaline 
substances may result in inflammatory and ulcerative effects on 
the oral mucous membranes and other effects as with acute ingestion.

FIRST AID:

If victim is conscious, give large quantities of water immediately
to dilute the alkali. Do not induce vomiting. 
Get medical attention immediately.

ANTIDOTE: No specific antidote. Treat symptomatically and  
supportively.
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REACTIVITY
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REACTIVITY: Reacts exothermically with water.

INCOMPATIBILITIES:

ACETALDEHYDRE: May result in violent polymerization.
ACETIC ACID: Mixing in closed container increases temperature and
pressure.
ACIDS: May react violently.
ACROLEIN: May result in an extremely violent polymerization.
ACRYLONITRILE: May cause violent polymerization.
ALLYL ALCOHOL + BENZENE SULFONYL CHLORIDE: Possible explosion hazard.
ALLYL CHLORIDE: Hydrolyzes.
ALUMINUM: Vigorous reaction.
ALUMINUM, ARSENIC TRIOXIDE, SODIUM ARSENATE: May generate flammable
hydrogen gas.
AMMONIA AND SILVER NITRATE: Precipitation of explosive silver nitride
may occur.
AMMONIUM SALTS: May react violently evolving ammonia gas.
BENZENE-1,4-DIOL: Exothermic reaction.
N,N'-BIS (TRINITROETHYL) UREA: Formation of explosive compound.
BROMINE: Possible explosion if not stirred continuously.
CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE: May cause violent reaction.
CHLOROFORM AND METHYL ALCOHOL: Exothermic reaction.
CHLOROHYDRIN: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase in
temperature and pressure.
4-CHLORO-2-METHYLPHENOL: Possible ignition.
CHLORONITROTOLUENES: Possible explosion.
CHLOROPICRIN: May cause violent reaction.
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 7 of 10)

CHLOROSULFONIC ACID: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase
in
temperature and pressure.
CINNAMALDEHYDE: Exothermic reaction.
COATINGS: May be attacked.
CYANOGEN AZIDE: May form sodium 5-azidotetrazolide, which is explosive
if isolated.
2,2-DICHLORO-3,3-DIMETHYLBUTANE: Hazardous reaction.
1,2-DICHLOROETHYLENE: May form spontaneously flammable onochloroacetylene.
DIBORANE AND OCTANAL OXIME: Exothermic reaction.
ETHYLENE CYANOHYDRIN: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase
in
temperature and pressure.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS: Fire and explosion hazard.
GLYCOLS: May cause exothermic decomposition with evolution of hydrogen
gas.
GLYOXAL: Mixing in a closed container increases temperature and pressure.
HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS: Violent reaction.
HYDROCHLORIC ACID: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase
in
temperature and pressure.
HYDROFLUORIC ACID: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase
in
temperature and pressure.
HYDROQUINONE: Rapid decomposition of hydroquinone with evolution
of heat.
LEAD: May be attacked; flammable hydrogen gas may be liberated.
LEATHER: May be attacked.
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE: Explosive decomposition.
METALS: Corrodes metals, reacting to form flammable hydrogen gas.
4-METHYL-2-NITROPHENOL: Exothermic reaction.
NITRIC ACID: Mixing in closed container increases temperature and
pressure.
NITROBENZENE: Possibly explosive reaction upon heating in presence
of water.
NITROETHANE: Forms an explosive salt.
NITROMETHANE: Forms an explosive salt.
NITROPARAFFINS: The nitroparaffins, in the presence of water, form
dry salts with organic bases. The dry salts are explosive.
NITROPROPANE: Forms an explosive salt.
O-NITROTOLUENE: Possible explosion.
OLEUM: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase in temperature
and
pressure.
ORGANIC PEROXIDES: Incompatible.
PENTOL (3-METHYL-2-PENTENE-4-YN-1-OL): Possible explosion.
PHOSPHORUS: May form mixed phosphines which may ignite spontaneously
in  air.
PHOSPHORUS PENTOXIDE: May react violently when heated.
PLASTICS: May be attacked.
9-PROPIOLACTONE: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase
in  temperature and pressure.
PROPYLENE OXIDE: Ignition or explosion may occur.
RUBBER: May be attacked.
SODIUM TETRAHYDROBORATE: Dry mixtures with sodium hydroxide containing
15-40% of tetrahydroborate liberate hydrogen explosively at 230-270oC.
SULFURIC ACID: Mixing in a closed container causes an increase in
temperature and pressure.
* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 8 of 10)

1,2,4,5-TETRACHLOROBENZENE: Violent reaction.
TETRACHLOROBENZENE + METHYL ALCOHOL: Possible explosion.
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE: Possible explosion.
TETRAHYDROFURAN: Serious explosions can occur.
TIN: Evolution of hydrogen gas which may form an explosive mixture.
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANOL: Explosion may occur.
TRICHLOROETHYLENE: Formation of explosive mixtures of dichloroacetylene.
TRICHLORONITROMETHANE + METHANOL: May cause violent reaction.
WOOL: May be attacked.
ZINC (DUST): Fire and explosion hazard.
ZIRCONIUM: May cause explosive reaction upon heating.

DECOMPOSITION: Thermal decomposition may release toxic fumes of 
sodium oxide.

POLYMERIZATION: Hazardous polymerization has not been reported to
occur under normal temperatures and pressures.
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CONDITIONS TO AVOID
________________________________________________________________

Avoid contact with or storage with water, acids, or other
incompatibilities. Flammable. Poisonous gases may accumulate in
tanks and hopper cars.
________________________________________________________________

SPILL AND LEAK PROCEDURES
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SOIL SPILL:

Dig hold area such as lagoon, pond or pit for containment. Use
soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or formed concrete to dike 
surface flow. Use fly ash or cement powder to absorb bulk liquid.
Use vinegar or other dilute acid to neutralize.

WATER SPILL: Add suitable agent to neutralize spilled material to
pH-7.

OCCUPATIONAL SPILL:

Do not touch spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without
risk. For small spills, take up with sand or other absorbent materials
and place into containers for later disposal. For small dry spills,
with clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover.
Move containers from spill area. For larger spills, dike far
ahead of spill for later disposal. Keep unnecessary people away.
Isolate hazard area and deny entry.

REPORTABLE QUANTITY (RQ): 1000 pounds


* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 9 of 10)

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Section
304 requires that a release equal to or greater than the reportable
quantity for this substance be immediately reported to the local
emergency planning committee and the state emergency response commission
(40 CFR 355.40). If the release of this substance is reportable
under CERCLA Section 103, the National
Response Center must be notified immediately at (800) 424-8802 or
(202) 426-2675 in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area (40 CFR 
302.6).
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PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
________________________________________________________________

VENTILATION: Provide local exhaust ventilation system to meet 
published exposure limits.

RESPIRATOR:

50 mg/m3: Any powered air-purifying respirator with a dust and 
mist filter.

100 mg/m3:Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full 
facepiece.
Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece.
Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator with a
high efficiency particulate filter.

200 mg/m3:Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
any operated in a pressure-demand or other positive
pressure mode.

ESCAPE: Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator with a
high efficiency particulate filter.
Any appropriate escape-type self-contained breathing
apparatus.

CLOTHING: Employee must wear appropriate protective (impervious)
clothing and equipment to prevent any possibility of
skin contact with this substance.

GLOVES: Employee must wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent
contact with this substance.

EYE PROTECTION:

Employee must wear splash-proof or dust-resistant safety goggles
and a faceshield to prevent contact with this substance. Contact
lenses should not be worn.



* * * EMS CATALOG NO: 21170 * * * (Page 10 of 10)


EMERGENCY WASH FACILITIES:

Where there is any possibility that an employee's eyes and/or 
skin may be exposed to this substance, the employer should provide
an eye wash fountain and quick drench shower within the immediate
work area for emergency use.  

CERCLA RATINGS (SCALE 0-3):  NFPA RATINGS (SCALE 0-4):
HEALTH=3 HEALTH=3
FIRE=0 FIRE=0
REACTIVITY=1 REACTIVITY=1
PERSISTENCE=0