Chemical of the Week Part 2 - Potassium Hydroxide

Hazard Profile

Chemical Name and Pseudonyms

Potassium Hydroxide, Caustic Potash, Lye, Potassium Hydrate, 1310-58-3

UN Number

1813 (dry solid), 1814 (solution)

Chemical Formula

KOH

Hazards

Caustic, toxic by ingestion

PPE Considerations

SFPC or CPC with SCBA

Fire Fighting Considerations

Control exposure fires

Decontamination

Brush/vacuum, soap and water, flooding water, neutralization for equipment

Detection and Monitoring

Colormetric, electrochemical sensor

Chemical and Physical Properties

Physical State

Odorless white or slightly yellow lumps, rods, sticks or pellets.  May also be in solution

Vapor Pressure

<1 mm/Hg

Boiling Point

>2,000^oF

Vapor Density

-

Specific Gravity

~1.45

Miscibility

Soluble in water

Flash Point

-

LEL/UEL

-

Autoignition Temp

-

pH

13.65

Toxicity

IDLH

-

PEL/REL/STEL

2 mg/kg³/2 mg/kg³/-

LD50

3 mg/kg³

LC50

-

Radioactive (Yes/No)

No

Medical

Toxicological Considerations

Strong caustic causing deep burns and eye damage 

Signs/Symptoms of Exposure

Chemical burns, eye damage, respiratory irritation if exposed to vapors

Medical Treatment

Fresh air, flush expose skin with water after removing dry product (brush/vacuum), and treat symptomatically

Other Information

Contact with either water of CO² generates heat

Chemical Structure