Potassium Hydroxide MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet: Potassium Hydroxide

Caustic Potash, Potash Lye

Wilco Prime, +971 50 899 0212, www.wilcoprime.com, ecom@majtrading.com

Issue Date: 11-Jan-2025

1. Identification

Product Name: Potassium Hydroxide

Product Code: P373520

Recommended Use: Industrial chemical for manufacturing soaps, detergents, pH adjustment, and chemical synthesis.

Synonyms: Caustic Potash, Potash Lye, Potassium Hydrate

Supplier: Wilco Prime, United Arab Emirates, +971 50 899 0212, www.wilcoprime.com, ecom@majtrading.com

Emergency Phone Number:+971 50 899 0212

2. Hazard Identification

GHS Classification:

  • Skin Corrosion – Category 1A (H314)
  • Eye Damage – Category 1 (H318)
  • Acute Toxicity, Oral – Category 4 (H302)

Signal Word: Danger

Hazard Statements:

  • H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
  • H318: Causes serious eye damage
  • H302: Harmful if swallowed

Precautionary Statements:

  • P260: Do not breathe dust or mist.
  • P280: Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
  • P301+P330+P331: IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P303+P361+P353: IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water.
  • P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P310: Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor.

GHS Pictograms:

Corrosive
Exclamation Mark
3. Composition/Information on Ingredients

Substance/Mixture: Substance

Chemical Name: Potassium Hydroxide

CAS Number: 1310-58-3

Concentration: ≥90% (anhydrous)

Note: No hazardous impurities present above reportable limits.

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen and seek immediate medical attention.

Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention.

Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes, holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Seek immediate medical attention.

Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention or contact a POISON CENTER.

Most Important Symptoms: Severe burns to skin and eyes, respiratory irritation, gastrointestinal damage.

Immediate Medical Attention: Required for all exposures due to corrosive nature.

5. Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO₂), or water spray.

Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: None known.

Specific Hazards: Non-flammable but may release toxic fumes (potassium oxide) upon heating. Reacts with water to generate heat.

Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and protective clothing.

Fire-Fighting Instructions: Use water spray to cool containers and prevent pressure buildup.

6. Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear protective gloves, eye protection, and face shield. Ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing dust or mist.

Environmental Precautions: Prevent release to sewers or waterways. Neutralize spills with dilute acid if permitted.

Methods for Containment and Cleanup: Sweep or vacuum up spilled material to avoid dust generation. Collect in suitable containers for disposal. Neutralize residue with dilute acid and rinse with water.

Material Safety Data Sheet: Potassium Hydroxide

Caustic Potash, Potash Lye

Wilco Prime, +971 50 899 0212, www.wilcoprime.com, ecom@majtrading.com

Issue Date: 11-Jan-2025

7. Handling and Storage

Handling Precautions:

  • Use in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhalation of dust or mist.
  • Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
  • Use appropriate containers resistant to corrosive materials.
  • Handle with care to avoid heat generation when mixed with water.

Storage Conditions: Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from acids, water, and metals. Keep between 5–30°C.

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: Not established. ACGIH TLV: 2 mg/m³ (ceiling, inhalable dust).

Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation or chemical fume hood to control dust or mist exposure.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • Eye Protection: Chemical safety goggles or face shield (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133).
  • Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves, protective clothing, and boots.
  • Respiratory Protection: Use a NIOSH-approved respirator if ventilation is inadequate (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134).
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance White solid (pellets, flakes, or powder)
Odor Odorless
Density 2.04 g/cm³
pH ~13 (1% solution)
Solubility 112 g/100 mL in water at 20°C
Melting Point 360°C
Molecular Weight 56.11 g/mol
10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions. Hygroscopic; absorbs moisture from air.

Reactivity: Reacts exothermically with water, acids, and certain metals, producing heat and hydrogen gas.

Conditions to Avoid: Contact with water, acids, excessive heat, or incompatible materials.

Incompatible Materials: Acids, metals (e.g., aluminum, zinc), halogens, organic materials.

Hazardous Decomposition Products: Potassium oxide fumes upon heating.

11. Toxicological Information

Likely Routes of Exposure: Skin contact, eye contact, inhalation, ingestion.

Acute Effects:

  • Inhalation: Causes severe respiratory irritation (LC50 not established).
  • Skin Contact: Causes severe burns (Draize test, rabbit: corrosive).
  • Eye Contact: Causes severe eye damage (Draize test, rabbit: corrosive).
  • Ingestion: Harmful; causes burns to mouth and gastrointestinal tract (LD50 rat: 273 mg/kg).

Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure may cause chronic skin or respiratory irritation.

Carcinogenicity: Not listed by ACGIH, IARC, NTP, or CA Prop 65.

12. Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life due to high pH (LC50 fish: 80 mg/L/96H).

Persistence and Degradability: Inorganic substance; does not biodegrade but dissociates in water.

Bioaccumulative Potential: Low potential.

Mobility in Soil: High mobility due to water solubility.

Material Safety Data Sheet: Potassium Hydroxide

Caustic Potash, Potash Lye

Wilco Prime, +971 50 899 0212, www.wilcoprime.com, ecom@majtrading.com

Issue Date: 11-Jan-2025

13. Disposal Considerations

Dispose of in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. Neutralize with dilute acid if permitted, and collect in suitable containers for disposal. Do not release into sewers or waterways.

14. Transport Information

UN Number: UN1813 (solid), UN1814 (solution)

Proper Shipping Name: Potassium Hydroxide, solid (or solution)

Transport Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive)

Packing Group: II

Environmental Hazards: Not classified as a marine pollutant.

Transport Precautions: Ensure containers are tightly sealed, properly labeled, and packaged to prevent leakage.

15. Regulatory Information

GHS Compliance: This product is labeled in accordance with GHS standards.

International Regulations: Complies with UNECE GHS, OSHA HCS (29 CFR 1910.1200), and TSCA inventory listing (CAS 1310-58-3).

National Regulations: Check local regulations for specific requirements.

16. Other Information

Product Benefits:

  • Effective Alkali: Used for manufacturing soaps, detergents, and chemical synthesis.
  • pH Adjustment: Ideal for neutralizing acidic solutions in industrial processes.
  • Versatile Applications: Used in agriculture, food processing (e.g., olives), and chemical manufacturing.

Packaging Options:

1 kg Plastic bottle, Part No: P373520-1KG, Purity: ≥90%
25 kg Plastic bag, Part No: P373520-25KG, Purity: ≥90%
1000 kg Bulk bag, Part No: P373520-1000KG, Purity: ≥90%

Usage Instructions:

  • Dissolve slowly in water with constant stirring to avoid heat generation.
  • Use in well-ventilated areas with appropriate PPE.
  • Avoid mixing with acids or metals to prevent hazardous reactions.
  • Store away from moisture to prevent caking.

Batch Information:

  • Batch Number: 1.052821.08
  • Manufacturing Date: 01-Jan-2025
  • Expiry Date: 01-Jan-2028

Preparation Date: 11-Jan-2025

Disclaimer: This MSDS is based on available data and is intended for general guidance. Wilco Prime assumes no liability for its use. Users should verify information for their specific application.