MSDS Number: P5884 * * * * * Effective Date: 02/01/07 * * * * *
Supercedes: 05/11/04

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

1. Product Identification

Synonyms: Caustic potash; potassium hydrate
CAS
No.: 1310-58-3
Molecular Weight: 56.11
Chemical
Formula: KOH
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker: 3140, 3141, 3146,
3150, 3152, 5685
Mallinckrodt: 6964, 6976, 6984, 7704, 7815

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

Emergency Overview
--------------------------

POISON! DANGER! CORROSIVE. CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO SKIN, EYES,
RESPIRATORY TRACT, AND GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY
DESTRUCTIVE TO ALL BODY TISSUES. MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF
INHALED.

SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here
for your convenience)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Health Rating: 3 - Severe (Poison)
Flammability Rating: 0 - None

Reactivity Rating: 2 - Moderate
Contact Rating: 4 - Extreme
(Corrosive)
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES & SHIELD; LAB COAT &
APRON; VENT HOOD; PROPER GLOVES
Storage Color Code: White Stripe (Store
Separately)

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

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. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment
as specified in Section 8. Spills: Pick up and place in a suitable container
for reclamation or disposal, using a method that does not generate dust. Do
not flush caustic residues to the sewer. Residues from spills can be diluted
with water, neutralized with dilute acid such as acetic, hydrochloric or
sulfuric. Absorb neutralized caustic residue on clay, vermiculite or other
inert substance and package in a suitable container for disposal.
US
Regulations (CERCLA) require reporting spills and releases to soil, water and
air in excess of reportable quantities. The toll free number for the US Coast
Guard National Response Center is (800) 424-8802.

J. T. Baker
NEUTRACIT®-2 or BuCAIM® caustic neutralizers are recommended for spills of
solutions of this product.

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

--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Water (7732-18-5) Yes Yes Yes Yes

--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) Yes Yes No Yes
Water (7732-18-5) Yes Yes No Yes

--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) No No No No
Water (7732-18-5) No No No No

--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Potassium Hydroxide (1310-58-3) 1000 No No
Water (7732-18-5) No No No

Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: No Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes (Mixture / Solid)

Australian Hazchem Code: 2R
Poison
Schedule: S6
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according
to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the
MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.

16. Other Information

NFPA Ratings: Health: 3 Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 1
Label Hazard Warning:
POISON! DANGER!
CORROSIVE. CAUSES SEVERE BURNS TO SKIN, EYES, RESPIRATORY TRACT, AND
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE TO ALL BODY TISSUES.
MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED.
Label Precautions:

Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.
Do not breathe
dust.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash
thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, DO
NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything by
mouth to an unconscious person. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or
skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated
clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. If inhaled, remove to fresh
air. If not breathing give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult,
give oxygen. In all cases get medical attention immediately.
Product
Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
MSDS
Section(s) changed since last revision of document include: 3.

Disclaimer:

************************************************************************************************

Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. 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.
MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. 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, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.

************************************************************************************************

Prepared by: Environmental Health & Safety
Phone Number:
(314) 654-1600 (U.S.A.)