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Product Name: Potassium Hydroxide
Synonyms: Caustic potash, Potash lye
Chemical Formula: KOH
CAS Number: 1310-58-3
Recommended Uses: Widely used in manufacturing soaps, detergents, fertilizer, batteries, cleaning agents, and laboratory chemicals.
Supplier Details: Manufacturer and distributor information, emergency telephone number, address for quick access in urgent scenarios.
Classification: Corrosive to metals, Skin corrosion category 1A, Serious eye damage category 1
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Harmful if swallowed. Contact can cause ulcerations and scarring of tissue.
Pictograms: Corrosion, Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Avoid all direct contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Do not breathe dusts or mists. Wash thoroughly after handling. Wear proper personal protective equipment.
Chemical Identity: Potassium Hydroxide
Concentration: 85-100% pure, diluted forms commonly supplied in water solutions
Impurities: May contain trace amounts of potassium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, chlorides, water
Inhalation: Move person to fresh air immediately. Seek medical attention if breathing becomes difficult or irritation persists. Provide oxygen if available.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse affected area with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Immediate medical attention is crucial after exposure.
Eye Contact: Flush eyes continuously with gentle water stream for at least 30 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Immediate ophthalmological attention necessary.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth carefully with water. Offer small amounts of water if conscious. Seek medical attention urgently.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide for fires in surrounding area. Potassium hydroxide itself does not burn, but contact with moisture evolves heat.
Specific Hazards: Reacts violently with water, acids, and certain metals. Generates heat and corrosive mist. Contact with incompatible materials can trigger hazardous reactions.
Protective Equipment and Precautions: Firefighters must wear full protective equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus. Approach from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors.
Personal Precautions: Restrict area. Evacuate unnecessary personnel. Put on appropriate protective gear, including gloves, goggles, suit.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or escape. Keep from entering drains, sewers, or water supplies to minimize environmental harm.
Methods for Clean-up: Neutralize with dilute acid after containment. Absorb with dry earth, sand, or other non-combustible material. Remove residue under expert supervision. Dispose of according to local guidelines.
Handling: Use only in well-ventilated areas with access to safety showers and eyewash facilities. Handle carefully to avoid splashing or airborne dust. Do not mix with incompatible materials such as acids, aluminum, or oxidizers.
Storage: Store in tightly closed, corrosion-resistant containers. Keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated locations away from sources of moisture and incompatible substances. Label clearly and prevent access by unauthorized persons.
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL 2 mg/m³ (ceiling), ACGIH TLV 2 mg/m³ (ceiling)
Engineering Controls: Install proper local exhaust ventilation to minimize exposure. Use process enclosures or controls designed to prevent airborne dispersion.
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical-resistant gloves, lab coats or coveralls, eye protection such as chemical splash goggles, face shield, appropriate footwear. Respirators may be required for high exposures.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, forearms, and face thoroughly after handling. No eating, drinking, or smoking in work area.
Appearance: White, deliquescent solid in pellets, flakes, or powder
Odor: Odorless
pH: Strong basic solution (pH 13.5 for 0.5% solution)
Melting Point: 360°C
Boiling Point: 1320°C
Solubility: Freely soluble in water, exothermic dissolution; soluble in alcohol, slightly soluble in ether
Density: 2.04 g/cm³
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperature
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable (non-volatile solid)
Flammability: Non-flammable but reacts with water strongly.
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions. Readily absorbs moisture and CO2 from air.
Conditions to Avoid: Contact with water, damp air, moisture. Avoid strong acids, halogenated compounds, ammonium salts, aluminum, zinc.
Hazardous Decomposition: May produce potassium oxide fumes, hydrogen gas, and heat when in contact with incompatible substances.
Possibility of Hazardous Reactions: Violent exothermic reaction with water and acids. Can corrode metals and evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 273 mg/kg. Strong tissue corrosivity. Rapid, severe damage to oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach.
Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema.
Skin: Rapid destruction of tissue, ulceration, burns. Delayed healing and potential scarring.
Eyes: Rapid, deep corrosion of ocular tissue. Potential for permanent damage and blindness.
Chronic Effects: Repeated contact can lead to dermatitis, chronic respiratory issues, eye injury.
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by IARC, NTP, OSHA as carcinogen.
Other Data: Not considered to trigger sensitization or reproductive toxicity under normal handling.
Ecotoxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic life due to strong alkalinity; causes increase in soil pH, ecosystem disruption.
Persistence and Degradability: Reacts with atmospheric CO2, forms potassium carbonate in soils and water.
Bioaccumulation: No significant bioaccumulation expected, but local concentration may impact flora and fauna.
Mobility in Soil: High solubility, quickly disperses in soil and water, altering environment.
Other Effects: Spillage needs rapid neutralization and careful containment to prevent environmental harm.
Waste Disposal: Neutralize cautiously with dilute acid, dilute with ample water. Dispose through licensed waste disposal contractor.
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly before recycling or disposal. Follow state and local regulations for hazardous materials.
Precautions: Segregate from incompatible substances. Never discharge neutralized or untreated waste to surface water, sewers, or soil.
UN Number: UN 1813
Proper Shipping Name: Potassium Hydroxide, solid
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive substances)
Packing Group: II
Label: Corrosive
Special Precautions: Ensure containers are secure; avoid leaks and physical damage. Documentation must detail content and hazards during transit.
OSHA: Classified as hazardous – subject to OSHA workplace controls.
TSCA: On United States TSCA inventory.
SARA Title III: Subject to reporting for Section 313 if release thresholds are exceeded.
European Regulation: CE classification as Corrosive, Risk Phrases R35 (Causes severe burns).
WHMIS (Canada): Class E, Corrosive Material.
Other Information: Full compliance with local, regional, and national laws for handling, storage, and disposal.
