NILE CHEMICALS

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

1. Product Identification

Synonyms: Caustic potash flakes
CAS No.: 1310-58-3
Molecular Weight: 56.11
Chemical Formula: KOH
Product Codes:: 161170

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

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. 

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 and engineering controls are not feasible, a half facepiece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N95 or better filters) 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 particulate respirator (NIOSH type N100 filters) 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. If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present, use a NIOSH type R or P filter. 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

16. Other Information

Disclaimer: Nile Chemicals. 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. NILE CHEMICALS. 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, NILE CHEMICALS. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.

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