International Chemical Safety Cards

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

ICSC: 0357

Caustic potash
Potassium hydrate
Potassium lye
KOH
Molecular mass: 56.1

ICSC #    0357
CAS #     1310-58-3
UN #        1813
EC #         019-002-00-8
May 04, 2010 Validated
Ju, 010 IPCS checked incl GHS

TYPES OF HAZARD/ EXPOSURE	ACUTE HAZARDS/ SYMPTOMS	PREVENTION	FIRST AID/ FIRE FIGHTING
FIRE	Not combustible. Contact with moisture or water may generate sufficient heat to ignite combustible materials.	NO contact with water.	In case of fire in the surroundings: use appropriate extinguishing media.
EXPLOSION	Risk of fire and explosion on contact with : see Chemical Dangers.	No contact with incompatible materials: see Chemical dangers.

EXPOSURE		PREVENT DISPERSION OF DUST! AVOID ALL CONTACT!	IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR!
•INHALATION	Cough. Sore throat. Burning sensation. Shortness of breath.	Local exhaust or breathing protection.	Fresh air, rest. Refer immediately for medical attention.
•SKIN	Redness. Pain. Serious skin burns. Blisters.	Protective gloves. Protective clothing.	Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower for at least 15 minutes. Refer immediately for medical attention.
•EYES	Redness. Pain. Blurred vision. Severe burns.	Face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection.	First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then take to a doctor.
•INGESTION	Abdominal pain. Burns in mouth and throat. Burning sensation in the throat and chest. Nausea. Vomiting. Shock or collapse.	Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work.	Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. If within a few minutes after ingestion, one small glass of water may be given to drink. Refer immediately for medical attention.

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

STORAGE

PACKAGING & LABELLING

Personal protection: chemical protection suit including self-contained breathing apparatus. Do NOT let this chemical enter the environment. Sweep spilled substance into plastic containers. Carefully collect remainder, then remove to safe place.

Separated from food and feedstuffs, strong acids, metals. Store in original container. Dry. Well closed. Store in an area without drain or sewer access.

Do not transport with food and feedstuffs.
C symbol
R: 22-35
S: 1/2-26-36/37/39-45
UN Hazard Class: 8
UN Packing Group: II
Signal: Danger
Corr-Excl mark
Harmful if swallowed
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
May cause respiratory irritation

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BACK

ICSC: 0357

Prepared in the context of cooperation between the International Programme on Chemical Safety & the Commission of the European Communities (C) IPCS CEC 1994. No modifications to the International version have been made except to add the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.

International Chemical Safety Cards

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

ICSC: 0357

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PHYSICAL STATE; APPEARANCE:
WHITE , HYGROSCOPIC SOLID IN VARIOUS FORMS.

PHYSICAL DANGERS:

CHEMICAL DANGERS:
The solution in water is a strong base, it reacts violently with acid and is corrosive to metals such as forming flammable/explosive gas (hydrogen - see ICSC0001) . Reacts with ammonium salts to produce ammonia , causing fire hazard. Contact with moisture or water may generate heat (see Notes).

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS:
OSHA PEL†: none
NIOSH REL: C 2 mg/m³
NIOSH IDLH: N.D. See: IDLH INDEX
TLV: 2 mg/mł (Ceiling value) (ACGIH 2010).
MAK not established.

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE:
Serious local effects by all routes of exposure. ion of its aerosol deleted 2010; see SIDS:aerosols of KOH are not stable, rapidly transformed due to an uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

INHALATION RISK:
A harmful concentration of airborne particles can be reached quickly when dispersed.

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance is corrosive to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion.

EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Repeated or prolonged contact with skin may cause dermatitis.

PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES

Boiling point: 1324°C
Melting point: 380°C
Density: 2.04
g/cm3

Solubility in water, g/100 ml at 25°C: 110
(very good)

ENVIRONMENTAL
DATA

This substance may be hazardous to the environment; special attention should be given to aquatic organisms.

N O T E S

The applicable occupational exposure limit value should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure. NEVER pour water into this substance; when dissolving or diluting always add it slowly to the water. Other UN number: UN1814 Potassium hydroxide solution, hazard class 8, packing group II-III.

NFPA Code: H 3; F 0; R 1;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ICSC: 0357	POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE
(C) IPCS, CEC, 1994

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTICE:

Neither NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS nor any person acting on behalf of NIOSH, the CEC or the IPCS is responsible for the use which might be made of this information. This card contains the collective views of the IPCS Peer Review Committee and may not reflect in all cases all the detailed requirements included in national legislation on the subject. The user should verify compliance of the cards with the relevant legislation in the country of use. The only modifications made to produce the U.S. version is inclusion of the OSHA PELs, NIOSH RELs and NIOSH IDLH values.