MSDS Name:   Potassium hydroxide, reagent acs (pellets) , 85% (titr.)
Synonym:   Caustic potash; lye; potassium hydrate
Company:   AboutChem.com

**** SECTION 2 - COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS ****

+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
| CAS# | Chemical Name | % | EINECS# |
|----------------|--------------------------------------|----------|-----------|
| 1310-58-3 |Potassium hydroxide | 85.0 | 215-181-3 |
+----------------+--------------------------------------+----------+-----------+
Hazard Symbols: C
Risk Phrases: 35

**** SECTION 3 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION ****

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
Causes severe burns.Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the
air).Corrosive.Water-reactive.

Potential Health Effects
Eye:
Causes severe eye burns. May cause irreversible eye injury.
Contact may cause ulceration of the conjunctiva and cornea. Eye
damage may be delayed. Causes redness and pain. May cause chemical
conjunctivitis and corneal damage.
Skin:
Causes skin burns. May cause deep, penetrating ulcers of the skin.
Causes severe burns with delayed tissue destruction. Causes redness
and pain. May cause skin rash (in milder cases), and cold and clammy
skin with cyanosis or pale color.
Ingestion:
Harmful if swallowed. May cause severe and permanent damage to the
digestive tract. May cause circulatory system failure. May cause
perforation of the digestive tract. Causes severe digestive tract
burns with abdominal pain, vomiting, and possible death. May cause
systemic effects.
Inhalation:
Harmful if inhaled. Irritation may lead to chemical pneumonitis and
pulmonary edema. Causes severe irritation of upper respiratory tract
with coughing, burns, breathing difficulty, and possible coma. Causes
chemical burns to the respiratory tract. Inhalation may be fatal as a
result of spasm, inflammation, edema of the larynx and bronchi,
chemical pneumonitis and pulmonary edema. Aspiration may lead to
pulmonary edema. May cause systemic effects.
Chronic:
Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause dermatitis. Prolonged
or repeated eye contact may cause conjunctivitis. Effects may be
delayed.

**** SECTION 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES ****

Eyes:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid
immediately. Do NOT allow victim to rub eyes or keep eyes closed.
Extensive irrigation with water is required (at least 30 minutes).
Skin:
Get medical aid immediately. Immediately flush skin with plenty of
water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing
and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Discard contaminated clothing
in a manner which limits further exposure. Destroy contaminated
shoes.
Ingestion:
Do not induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4
cupfuls of milk or water. Never give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person. Get medical aid immediately.
Inhalation:
Get medical aid immediately. Remove from exposure and move to fresh
air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Do NOT use
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If breathing has ceased apply
artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device
such as a bag and a mask.
Notes to Physician:

**** SECTION 5 - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES ****

General Information:
As in any fire, wear a self-contained breathing apparatus in
pressure-demand, MSHA/NIOSH (approved or equivalent), and full
protective gear. During a fire, irritating and highly toxic gases
may be generated by thermal decomposition or combustion. Wear
appropriate protective clothing to prevent contact with skin and
eyes. Wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to prevent
contact with thermal decomposition products. Use water with caution
and in flooding amounts. Contact with moisture or water may generate
sufficient heat to ignite nearby combustible materials.
Extinguishing Media:
Use extinguishing media most appropriate for the surrounding fire.
DO NOT USE WATER!

**** SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES ****

General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment as indicated
in Section 8.
Spills/Leaks:
Vacuum or sweep up material and place into a suitable disposal
container. Clean up spills immediately, observing precautions in the
Protective Equipment section. Avoid generating dusty conditions.
Provide ventilation.

**** SECTION 7 - HANDLING and STORAGE ****

Handling:
Wash thoroughly after handling. Do not allow water to get into the
container because of violent reaction. Do not breathe dust, vapor,
mist, or gas. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Keep
container tightly closed. Do not ingest or inhale. Use only in a
chemical fume hood. Discard contaminated shoes.
Storage:
Store in a cool, dry place. Keep container closed when not in use.
Store in a tightly closed container. Corrosives area.

**** SECTION 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION ****

Engineering Controls:
Facilities storing or utilizing this material should be equipped
with an eyewash facility and a safety shower. Use adequate
ventilation to keep airborne concentrations low. Use adequate
general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne concentrations
below the permissible exposure limits.
Exposure Limits
CAS# 1310-58-3:
United Kingdom, WEL - STEL: 2 mg/m3 STEL

Belgium - STEL: 2 mg/m3 VLE
France - VLE: 2 mg/m3 VLE
Japan: 2 mg/m3 Ceiling
Malaysia: 2 mg/m3 Ceiling
Spain: 2 mg/m3 VLA-EC

Personal Protective Equipment

Eyes:
Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical
safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face
protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European
Standard EN166.
Skin:
Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin
exposure.
Clothing:
Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin
exposure.
Respirators:
A respiratory protection program that meets OSHA's 29
CFR 1910.134 and ANSI Z88.2 requirements or European
Standard EN 149 must be followed whenever workplace
conditions warrant respirator use. Follow the OSHA
respirator regulations found in 29 CFR 1910.134 or
European Standard EN 149. Use a NIOSH/MSHA or
European Standard EN 149 approved respirator if
exposure limits are exceeded or if irritation or
other symptoms are experienced.

**** SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES ****

Physical State: Solid
Color: white
Odor: Odorless
pH: Not available.
Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg @ 719 deg C
Viscosity: Not available.
Boiling Point: 1320 deg C @ 760.00mm Hg
Freezing/Melting Point: 360 deg C
Autoignition Temperature: Not available.
Flash Point: Not available.
Explosion Limits, lower: Not available.
Explosion Limits, upper: Not available.
Decomposition Temperature:
Solubility in water: 111 G/100 ML WATER (20C)
Specific Gravity/Density: 2.0440g/cm3
Molecular Formula: HKO
Molecular Weight: 56.11

**** SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY ****

Chemical Stability:
Stable. Readily absorbs carbon dioxide and moisture from the air and
deliquesces (to absorb atmospheric water vapor and become liquid).
Conditions to Avoid:
Incompatible materials, dust generation, acids, metals, exposure to
moist air or water.
Incompatibilities with Other Materials:
Halogenated hydrocarbons - halogens - nitrocompounds - organic
materials - acid chlorides - acid anhydrides - magnesium - copper -
generates large amounts of heat when in contact with water and may
steam and splatter. Reacts with chlorine dioxide, nitrobenzene,
nitromethane, nitrogen trichloride, peroxidized tetrahydrofuran,
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, bromoform+ crown ethers, acids alcohols,
sugars, germanium cyclopentadiene, maleic dicarbide. Corrosive to
metals such as aluminum, tin, and zinc to cause formation of
flammable hydrogen gas, moisture.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Oxides of potassium, hydrogen gas.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur.

**** SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

RTECS#:
CAS# 1310-58-3: TT2100000
LD50/LC50:
CAS# 1310-58-3: Draize test, rabbit, skin: 50 mg/24H Severe; Oral,
rat: LD50 = 273 mg/kg.
Carcinogenicity:
Potassium hydroxide -
Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, or NTP.
Other:
See actual entry in RTECS for complete information.

**** SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION ****

Ecotoxicity:
Fish: Mosquito Fish: LC50 = 80.0 mg/L; 24 Hr.; Unspecified

**** SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS ****

Dispose of in a manner consistent with federal, state, and local regulations.

**** SECTION 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION ****

IATA
Shipping Name: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN Number: 1813
Packing Group: II
IMO
Shipping Name: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN Number: 1813
Packing Group: II
RID/ADR
Shipping Name: POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Hazard Class: 8
UN Number: 1813
Packing group: II
USA RQ: CAS# 1310-58-3: 1000 lb final RQ; 454 kg final RQ

**** SECTION 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION ****

European/International Regulations
European Labeling in Accordance with EC Directives
Hazard Symbols: C
Risk Phrases:
R 35 Causes severe burns.
Safety Phrases:
S 26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately
with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S 37/39 Wear suitable gloves and eye/face
protection.
S 45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek
medical advice immediately (show the label where
possible).
WGK (Water Danger/Protection)
CAS# 1310-58-3: 1
Canada
CAS# 1310-58-3 is listed on Canada's DSL List.
CAS# 1310-58-3 is listed on Canada's Ingredient Disclosure List.
US FEDERAL
TSCA
CAS# 1310-58-3 is listed on the TSCA inventory.

**** SECTION 16 - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ****

MSDS Creation Date: 6/21/1999 Revision #2 Date: 3/18/2003

The information above is believed to be accurate and represents the best
information currently available to us. However, we make no warranty of
merchantability or any other warranty, express or implied, with respect to
such information, and we assume no liability resulting from its use. Users
should make their own investigations to determine the suitability of the
information for their particular purposes. In no way shall the company be
liable for any claims, losses, or damages of any third party or for lost
profits or any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or exemplary
damages, howsoever arising, even if the company has been advised of
the possibility of such damages.
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