SAFETY DATA SHEET

Section 1. Identification of the material and the supplier

Product: Caustic Soda

Item Code:
Product Use: Domestic use e.g. drain cleaner
Restriction of Use: Refer to Section 15

New Zealand Supplier: Garden Enterprises and Information Ltd

Address: 147 Benmore Ave
Palmerston North.
Telephone: 0800 466 464

Emergency Telephone: 0800 764 766 (National Poison Centre)

Date of SDS Preparation: 10 October 2017

Section 2. Hazards Identification

This substance is hazardous according to the HSNO (Minimum Degrees of Hazard)

Regulations 2001

EPA Approval No: HSR001547

Pictograms:

Toxic Corrosive

Signal Word: DANGER

HSNO Hazard GHS

Hazard Statement
Classification Code Category
6.1D (oral) H302 Harmful if swallowed. Category 4
6.1D (dermal) H312 Harmful in contact with skin. Category 4
8.1A H290 May be corrosive to metals. Category 1
8.2B H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Category 1B
8.3A H318 Causes serious eye damage. Category 1
9.1D H401 Toxic to aquatic life. Category 4
9.3C H433 Harmful to terrestrial vertebrates. -

Prevention Code Prevention Statement

P102 Keep out of reach of children.
P103 Read label before use.
P234 Keep only in original container.
P260 Do not breathe dust.
P264 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
P280 Wear protective clothing.

Response Code Response Statement

P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand.
P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P390 Absorb spillage to prevent material damage.
P301 + P312 IF SWALLOWED: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel
unwell.
P301 + IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
P330+P331
P302 + P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of soap and water.
P303 + IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated
P361+P353 clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
P304 + P340 IF INHALED: Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable
for breathing.
P305 + IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
P351+P338 contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
Storage Code Storage Statement
P405 Store locked up.
P406 Store in corrosive resistant container with a resistant inner liner.

Disposal Code Disposal Statement

P501 Dispose of according to Local Regulations or Authorities

Section 3. Composition / Information on Hazardous Ingredients

Ingredients Wt% CAS NUMBER.

Sodium Hydroxide 100 1310-73-2
Section 4. First Aid Measures

Routes of Exposure:

If in Eyes Rinse cautiously with water for 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if
present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a POISON
CENTER or doctor/physician.

If on Skin Wash with plenty of soap and water. Take off contaminated clothing and
wash before re-use. Continue flushing with water until advised to stop by
 the Poisons Information Centre. If skin irritation occurs: get medical
advice/attention.

If Swallowed Rinse mouth. DO NOT induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient
forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain
open airway and prevent aspiration. Observe the patient carefully.
Never give liquid to a person showing signs of being sleepy or with
reduced awareness; i.e. becoming unconscious.
Give water to rinse out mouth, then provide liquid slowly and as much as
casualty can comfortably drink.
Transport to hospital or doctor without delay.
If Inhaled Remove person to fresh air. Remove contaminated clothing and loosen
remaining clothing. Allow person to assume most comfortable position
and keep warm. Keep at rest until fully recovered. Get medical advice if
breathing becomes difficult.

Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed

Symptoms:
Inhalation:
The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The body's response to such
irritation can cause further lung damage. Inhaling corrosive bases may irritate the respiratory
tract. Symptoms include cough, choking, pain and damage to the mucous membrane.
Ingestion:
Ingestion of alkaline corrosives may produce burns around the mouth, ulcerations and swellings
of the mucous membranes, profuse saliva production, with an inability to speak or swallow.
Both the oesophagus and stomach may experience burning pain; vomiting and diarrhoea may
follow. Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of the individual.
Ingestion of sodium hydroxide may result in severe pain, burns to the mouth, throat, stomach,
nausea and vomiting, swelling of the throat and subsequent perforation of the gastro-intestinal
tract and suffocation but a 1% solution (pH 13.4) of sodium hydroxide in water failed to cause
any damage of the stomach or gullet in rabbits.
Skin Contact:
The material can produce severe chemical burns following direct contact with the skin.
Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects (as classified under EC Directives);
the material may still produce health damage following entry through wounds, lesions or
abrasions. Sodium hydroxide causes burns which may take time to manifest and cause pain,
thus care should be taken to avoid contamination of gloves and boots. A 5% aqueous solution
of it produces tissue death on rabbit skin while 1% solution caused no effect on irrigated rabbit
eye.
Eye:
If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.
Direct eye contact with corrosive bases can cause pain and burns. There may be swelling,
epithelium destruction, clouding of the cornea and inflammation of the iris. Mild cases often
resolve; severe cases can be prolonged with complications such as persistent swelling, scarring,
permanent cloudiness, bulging of the eye, cataracts, eyelids glued to the eyeball and blindness.

Chronic:
Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the erosion of teeth, inflammatory
and ulcerative changes in the mouth and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with
cough, and frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue.
Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of the airways involving
difficult breathing and related systemic problems. Substance accumulation, in the human body,
may occur and may cause some concern following repeated or long-term occupational
exposure.

Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed:

For acute or short-term repeated exposures to highly alkaline materials:
Respiratory stress is uncommon but present occasionally because of soft tissue edema.
Unless endotracheal intubation can be accomplished under direct vision, cricothyroidotomy or
tracheotomy may be necessary. Oxygen is given as indicated.
The presence of shock suggests perforation and mandates an intravenous line and fluid
administration. Damage due to alkaline corrosives occurs by liquefaction necrosis whereby the
saponification of fats and solubilisation of proteins allow deep penetration into the tissue.
Alkalis continue to cause damage after exposure.
INGESTION:
Milk and water are the preferred diluents
No more than 2 glasses of water should be given to an adult.
Neutralising agents should never be given since exothermic heat reaction may compound
injury.
* Catharsis and emesis are absolutely contra-indicated.
* Activated charcoal does not absorb alkali.
* Gastric lavage should not be used.
Supportive care involves the following:
Withhold oral feedings initially.
If endoscopy confirms transmucosal injury start steroids only within the first 48 hours.
Carefully evaluate the amount of tissue necrosis before assessing the need for surgical
intervention.
Patients should be instructed to seek medical attention whenever they develop difficulty in
swallowing (dysphagia).
SKIN AND EYE:
Injury should be irrigated for 20-30 minutes.
Eye injuries require saline. [Ellenhorn & Barceloux: Medical Toxicology]
Section 5. Fire Fighting Measures

Hazard Type Non Flammable or combustible.

Hazardous May emit corrosive fumes.
Decomposition
Suitable Water spray or fog.
Extinguishing Foam.
media Dry chemical powder.
BCF (where regulations permit).
Precautions for Wear full protective gear.
firefighters and
special protective
clothing
HAZCHEM CODE 2W

Section 6. Accidental Release Measures

Wear PPE as described in Section 8. Evacuate all non-essential personnel.

Small Spills
Remove all ignition sources.
Clean up all spills immediately.
Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Control personal contact with the substance, by using protective equipment.
Large Spills
Clear area of personnel and move upwind.
Alert Fire Brigade and tell them location and nature of hazard.
May be violently or explosively reactive.
Wear breathing apparatus and protective gloves.

Dispose of according to Local Regulations.

Section 7. Handling and Storage

Precautions for Handling:

 Keep out of reach of children.
 Read label before use.
 Keep only in original container.
 Do not breathe dust.
 Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
 Avoid release to the environment.
 Avoid all personal contact, including inhalation.
 Use in a well-ventilated area.
 WARNING: To avoid violent reaction, ALWAYS add material to water and NEVER
water to material.
 Wear protective clothing.
Precautions for Storage:
 Store away from incompatible materials listed in Section 10.
 Store locked up.
 Store in corrosive resistant container with a resistant inner liner.
 Glass container is suitable for laboratory quantities.
 DO NOT use aluminium, galvanised or tin-plated container,lined metal can, lined metal
pail/ can, plastic pail or polyliner drum.
 Packing as recommended by manufacturer.
 Sodium hydroxide/ potassium hydroxide:
 reacts with water evolving heat and corrosive fumes. reacts violently with acids, trans-
acetylene dichloride, aminotetrazole, p-bis(1,3-dibromoethyl), benzene, bromoform,
halogenated compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, organic halogens, chlorine
 dioxide ((explodes), chloroform, cresols, cyclopentadiene, 4-chloro-2-methylphenol, cis-
dichloroethylene, 2,2-dichloro-3,3-dimethylbutane, ethylene chlorohydrin, germanium,
iodine pentafluoride, maleic anhydride, p-nitrotoluene,nitrogen trichloride, o-nitrophenol,
phosphonium iodide, potassium peroxodisulfate, propylene oxide, 1,2,4,5-
tetrachlorobenzene (highly toxic substance is forme), 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-1-propanol,
tetrahydrofuran, thorium dicarbide, trichloroethanol, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, vinyl acetate
 reacts with fluorine, nitroalkanes, (forming explosive compounds)
 incompatible with acetic acid, acetaldehyde, acetic anhydride, acrolein, acrylonitrile, allyl
chloride, organic anhydride, acrylates, alcohols, aldehydes, alkylene oxides, substituted
allyls, ammonium chloroplatinate, benzanthrone, bromine, benzene-1,4-diol, carbon
dioxide, cellulose nitrate, chlorine trifluoride, 4-chlorobutyronitrile, chlorohydrin,
chloronitrotoluenes, chlorosulfonic acid, cinnamaldehyde, caprolactam solution,
 chlorocresols, 1,2-dichloroethylene, epichlorohydrin, ethylene cyanohydrin,
formaldehyde (forms formic acid and flammable hydrogen gas), glycols, glyoxal,
hexachloroplatinate, hydrogen sulfide, hydroquinone, iron-silicon, isocyanates, ketones,
methyl azide, 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol, mineral acids (forming corresponding
salt),nitrobenzene, N-nitrosohydroxylamine, nitrates pentol, phenols, phosphorus,
phosphorus pentaoxide, beta-propiolactone, sodium, sulfur dioxide, tetrahydroborate,
1,1,1,2- tetrachloroethane, 2,2,2-trichloroethanol, trichloronitromethane, zirconium
ignites on contact with cinnamaldehyde or zinc and reacts explosively with a mixture of
chloroform and methane
 forms heat-, friction-, and/ or shock-sensitive- explosive salts with nitro-compounds,
cyanogen azide, 3-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazole, 3-methyl-2-penten¬4-yn-1-ol,
N,N'-bis(2,2,2-trinitroethyl)urea, trichloroethylene (forms dichloroacetylene)
  increase the explosive sensitivity of nitromethane
 attacks some plastics, rubber, coatings and metals: aluminium, tin, zinc,etc, and their
alloys, producing flammable hydrogen gas
 In presence of moisture, the material is corrosive to aluminium, zinc and tin producing
highly flammable hydrogen gas. Avoid strong acids, acid chlorides, acid anhydrides and
chloroformates.
 Avoid contact with copper, aluminium and their alloys.explosive compounds with
ammonium compounds, cellulosics (such as cotton, paper).

Section 8 Exposure Controls / Personal Protection

WORKPLACE EXPOSURE STANDARDS (provided for guidance only)

 TWA STEL
Substance ppm mg/m3 ppm mg/m3

Sodium hydroxide [1310-73-2] Ceiling 2

Workplace Exposure Standard – Time Weighted Average (WES-TWA).The time-weighted average exposure standard
designed to protect the worker from the effects of long-term exposure. Workplace Exposure Standard – Short-Term
Exposure Limit (WESSTEL). The 15-minute average exposure standard. Applies to any 15- Minute period in the working
day and is designed to protect the worker against adverse effects of irritation, chronic or irreversible tissue change, or
narcosis that may increase the likelihood of accidents. The WES-STEL is not an alternative to the WES-TWA; both the
short-term and time-weighted average exposures apply.

Source Ingredient Material name TWA STEL Peak Notes

Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are used to remove a hazard or place a barrier between the worker and
the hazard. Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers and
will typically be independent of worker interactions to provide this high level of protection.
The basic types of engineering controls are:
Process controls which involve changing the way a job activity or process is done to reduce the
risk. Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source which keeps a selected hazard "physically"
away from the worker and ventilation that strategically "adds" and "removes" air in the work
environment.

Personal Protection Equipment

Eyes Safety glasses with unperforated side shields may be used where continuous
eye protection is desirable, as in laboratories; spectacles are not sufficient
where complete eye protection is needed such as when handling bulk-
quantities, where there is a danger of splashing, or if the material may be
under pressure.
Chemical goggles whenever there is a danger of the material coming in
contact with the eyes; goggles must be properly fitted.
Full face shield (20 cm, 8 in minimum) may be required for supplementary
but never for primary protection of eyes; these afford face protection.
Alternatively a gas mask may replace splash goggles and face shields.
Body Elbow length PVC gloves.
 Overalls.
PVC Apron.
PVC protective suit may be required if exposure severe.
Eyewash unit.

Respiratory Use P1 half face mask or airline respirator at minimum

General Facilities for storing or utilising this material should be equipped with an
eyewash facility, safety shower and facility for washing hands and face after
work.

Section 9 Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance Pearls or Flakes. Divided Solid
Colour White
Odour Not available
Odour Threshold Not available
pH as a solution (1%) 12.7
Boiling Point 13900C
Melting Point 3180C
Freezing Point Not available
Flash Point Not available
Flammability Not available
Upper and Lower Not available
Explosive Limits
Vapour Pressure Not available
Vapour Density Not available
Relative 2.13
Density(water=1)
Solubility Miscible.
Rainfastness Not available
Partition Coefficient: Not available
Auto-ignition Not available
Temperature
Decomposition Not available
Temperature
Kinematic Viscosity Not available
Particle Characteristics Not available
Molecular Weight 40 g/mol

Section 10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability of Substance This product is stable under normal conditions and storage.
Conditions to Avoid See Section 7
Incompatible Materials See Section 7
Hazardous Decomposition May emit corrosive fumes.
Products
Section 11 Toxicological Information

Acute Effects:

Swallowed Harmful if swallowed. Ingestion of alkaline corrosives may produce

burns around the mouth, ulcerations and swellings of the mucous
membranes, profuse saliva production, with an inability to speak or
swallow. Both the oesophagus and stomach may experience burning
pain; vomiting and diarrhoea may follow.
Accidental ingestion of the material may be damaging to the health of
the individual.
Ingestion of sodium hydroxide may result in severe pain, burns to the
 mouth, throat, stomach, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the throat
and subsequent perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract and
suffocation but a 1% solution (pH 13.4) of sodium hydroxide in water
failed to cause any damage of the stomach or gullet in rabbits.
Dermal Harmful in contact with skin.
Inhalation The material can cause respiratory irritation in some persons. The
body's response to such irritation can cause further lung damage.
Inhaling corrosive bases may irritate the respiratory tract. Symptoms
include cough, choking, pain and damage to the mucous membrane.
Eye If applied to the eyes, this material causes severe eye damage.
Direct eye contact with corrosive bases can cause pain and burns.
There may be swelling, epithelium destruction, clouding of the cornea
 and inflammation of the iris. Mild cases often resolve; severe cases can
be prolonged with complications such as persistent swelling, scarring,
permanent cloudiness, bulging of the eye, cataracts, eyelids glued to
the eyeball and blindness.
Skin The material can produce severe chemical burns following direct
contact with the skin.
Skin contact is not thought to have harmful health effects (as classified
under EC Directives); the material may still produce health damage
following entry through wounds, lesions or abrasions.
Sodium hydroxide causes burns which may take time to manifest and
cause pain, thus care should be taken to avoid contamination of gloves
and boots. A 5% aqueous solution of it produces tissue death on rabbit
 skin while 1% solution caused no effect on irrigated rabbit eye.

Chronic Effects:

Carcinogenicity Not applicable

Reproductive Not applicable
Toxicity
Germ Cell Not applicable
Mutagenicity
Aspiration Not applicable
STOT/SE Not applicable
STOT/RE Repeated or prolonged exposure to corrosives may result in the
 erosion of teeth, inflammatory and ulcerative changes in the mouth
and necrosis (rarely) of the jaw. Bronchial irritation, with cough, and
frequent attacks of bronchial pneumonia may ensue.
Long-term exposure to respiratory irritants may result in disease of
the airways involving difficult breathing and related systemic
problems. Substance accumulation, in the human body, may occur
and may cause some concern following repeated or long-term
occupational exposure.
Other Caustic Soda:
Asthma-like symptoms may continue for months or even years after
exposure to the material ceases. This may be due to a non-allergenic
condition known as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS)
which can occur following exposure to high levels of highly irritating
compound. Key criteria for the diagnosis of RADS include the absence
of preceding respiratory disease, in a non-atopic individual, with
abrupt onset of persistent asthma-like symptoms within minutes to
hours of a documented exposure to the irritant. A reversible airflow
pattern, on spirometry, with the presence of moderate to severe
bronchial hyperreactivity on methacholine challenge testing and the
lack of minimal lymphocytic inflammation, without eosinophilia, have
also been included in the criteria for diagnosis of RADS.
Sodium Hydroxide:
The material may produce severe irritation to the eye causing
pronounced inflammation. Repeated or prolonged exposure to
 irritants may produce conjunctivitis.
The material may cause severe skin irritation after prolonged or
repeated exposure and may produce on contact skin redness,
swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and thickening of the
skin. Repeated exposures may produce severe ulceration.

Sodium Hydroxide
Toxicity Irritation:
Eye (rabbit): 0.05 mg/24h SEVERE
Eye (rabbit):1 mg/24h SEVERE
Eye (rabbit):1 mg/30s rinsed-SEVERE
Skin (rabbit): 500 mg/24h SEVERE
Section 12. Ecotoxicological Information

HSNO Classes: 9.1D= Toxic to aquatic life.

9.3C = Harmful to terrestrial vertebrates.

Persistence and degradability sodium hydroxide Water/Soil: LOW Air: LOW

Bioaccumulation sodium hydroxide LOW (LogKOW = -3.8796)
Mobility in Soil sodium hydroxide LOW (KOC = 14.3)
Other adverse effects No data available.

For Metal:
Atmospheric Fate - Metal-containing inorganic substances generally have negligible vapour
pressure and are not expected to partition to air.
Environmental Fate: Environmental processes, such as oxidation, the presence of acids or
bases and microbiological processes, may transform insoluble metals to more soluble ionic
forms. Environmental processes may enhance bioavailability and may also be important in
changing solubilities.
Aquatic/Terrestrial Fate: When released to dry soil, most metals will exhibit limited mobility
and remain in the upper layer; some will leach locally into ground water and/ or surface
water ecosystems when soaked by rain or melt ice. A metal ion is considered infinitely
persistent because it cannot degrade further.

Do not allow to enter waterways.

Section 13. Disposal Considerations

Disposal Method:
This material may be recycled if unused, or if it has not been contaminated so as to make it
unsuitable for its intended use. Normal disposal of product is through use.

If container cannot be cleaned sufficiently well to ensure that residuals do not

remain or if the container cannot be used to store the same product, then puncture containers,
to prevent re-use, and bury at an authorised landfill. Where possible retain label warnings and
SDS and observe all notices pertaining to the product.
Precautions:
Ensure waste container containing unwanted or recovered product or contaminated spill media
is labelled “Hazardous Waste –Corrosive, Ecotoxic”. If triple rinsing container, add rinsate to
waste container for disposal.

Methods to avoid: Do not allow to enter waterways.

Section 14 Transport Information

This product is classified as a Dangerous Good for transport in NZ ; NZS 5433:2012

Road and Rail Transport
UN No: 1823
Class-primary 8
Packing Group II
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID

Air Transport
UN No: 1823
Class-primary 8
Packing Group II
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
Marine Transport
UN No: 1823
Class-primary 8
Packing Group II
Proper Shipping Name: SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID
If total quantity of product shipment is below 1kg, it can be transported as a non-DG as long as
the product packaging is still labelled as per DG requirements and the driver is given safety
information. Talk to your logistics or courier company for further information.

Section 15 Regulatory Information

EPA Approval Code: HSR001547

HSNO Classification: 6.1D(oral, dermal), 8.1A, 8.2B, 8.3A, 9.1D, 9.3C

HSNO Controls:
Trigger quantities for this substance:
 Trigger Quantity
Approved Handler Not required
Location Certificate Not required
Tracking Trigger Quantities Not required
Signage Trigger Quantities 250kg (8.2B)
Emergency Response Plan 1000kg (6.1D, 8.2B)
Secondary Containment 1000kg (6.1D, 8.2B)
Restriction of use None

Section 16 Other Information

Glossary
EC50 Median effective concentration.
EEL Environmental Exposure Limit.
EPA Environmental Protection Authority
HSNO Hazardous Substances and New Organisms.
LC50 Lethal concentration that will kill 50% of the test organisms
inhaling or ingesting it.
LD50 Lethal dose to kill 50% of test animals/organisms.
LEL Lower explosive level.
OSHA American Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
TEL Tolerable Exposure Limit.
TLV Threshold Limit Value-an exposure limit set by responsible
 authority.
UEL Upper Explosive Level
WES Workplace Exposure Limit

1. HSNO Approved Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets, September 2006.
Disclaimer
This document has been prepared by TCC (NZ) Ltd and serves as the suppliers Safety Data
Sheet ('SDS'). It is based on information concerning the product which has been provided to
TCC (NZ) Ltd or obtained from third party sources and is believed to represent the current state
of knowledge as to the appropriate safety and handling precautions for the product at the time
of issue. Further clarification regarding any aspect of the product should be obtained directly
from the manufacturer. While TCC (NZ) have taken all due care to include accurate and up-to-
date information in this SDS, it does not provide any warranty as to accuracy or completeness.
As far as lawfully possible, TCC (NZ) Ltd accept no liability for any loss, injury or damage
(including consequential loss) which may be suffered or incurred by any person as a
consequence of their reliance on the information contained in this SDS
The information herein is given in good faith, but no warranty, express or implied is made.
Please contact the New Zealand distributor, Garden Enterprises and Information Ltd, if further
information is required.
Issue Date: 10 October 2017 Review Date: 10 October 2022