Based on the available literature, there is a risk for accidental and intentional exposure to solid sodium hydroxide or to irritating or corrosive solutions of sodium hydroxide. If this chemical or liquids containing this chemical penetrate the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. Available from, as of October 4, 2011: http://www.inchem.org/pages/sids.html, Wijburg FA et al; Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 94 (4 Part 1): 337-41; 1985. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4026118, The protective effect of erythropoietin on the acute phase of corrosive esophageal burns in a rat model. For this reason sodium hydroxide is not expected to be systemically available in the body under normal handling and use conditions. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Crain et al 12) found that the presence of two or more signs or symptoms (vomiting, drooling, stridor) may be a reliable predictor of esophageal injury. At room temperature, sodium hydroxide is a white crystalline odorless solid that absorbs moisture from the air. Clinitest(R) tablets also adhere to the esophagus either because of thermal coagulation or because of the carbon dioxide bubbles produced from the reaction of the citric acid and sodium hydroxide present 19). It may also be found in dishwasher detergents. 200 patients with suspected caustic ingestation were examined 40). UN #: 1823 (solid), 1824 (liquid) Pictogram(s): Figure 1. Gastric injury may also occur. On the first post-operative day visual acuity was present to light, intraocular pressure was high and a cataract was present. From January 1984 to June 1991 a total number of 24 patients were treated for sodium hydroxide related eye injury in the Department of Ophthalmology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Eye irritation data are available for animals. Acta Paediatr 83:1200-1205, Clausen JO, Nielsen TLF and Fogh A. Fatal ingestion and fatal dermal exposure has been reported for humans. Sodium hydroxide liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact. Lethality has been reported for animals at oral doses of 240 and 400 mg/kg body weight 9). An X-ray showed perforation of the stricture. The science, How Bad Is Alcohol in Skincare, Really? This low percentage of stricture formation is due to the use of nasogastric tubes. 1982. Alkalis cause liquifactive necrosis with saponification of fats and solubilisation of proteins. Chemical Composition: NaOH. Part 1: The Chemistry Behind Soap Making, Clean Beauty Is Wrong and Won’t Give Us Safer Products, Should you avoid aluminium in deodorants? A 16 month old female refused to drink and began drooling after ingesting the residue of a sodium hydroxide solution which the mother had been using for cleaning 37). A nasogastric tube and three drains were left in place. On the 38th day esophagoscopy with dilatation of the stricture was performed. Sodium hydroxide skin exposure causes redness, pain, serious skin burns and blisters. Are Genetically Modified (GM) foods safe to eat ? A right side thoracotomy showed a 4-5 mm rupture of the descending part of the aorta with bleeding into the left pleura. He drank some milk and water and vomited. They are rapidly transformed due to an uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere resulting in the formation of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. OJ L 295, 12.11.2011, p. 178. He became shocked and the decision was made to operate. Esophageal changes can be divided into 3 stages: Strictures form due to an intense fibroblastic reaction and superficial granulation tissue formation that terminates with extensive scar formation and luminal narrowing. (1991), Eur J Pediatr Surg, 1, 335-338, Sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is also used as a pH adjuster in many products, to bring the pH higher. Corneal infiltration and degeneration occurs 1-3 weeks after injury 21). Following contact with skin, washing with water must be started immediately to prevent corrosive chemical burns. Of these 170 patients about 15 patients had ingested sodium hydroxide. The Science (video with KindofStephen), « Activated Charcoal in Skincare: The Science, Gift Ideas for a Good Cause From The Body Shop », Purging vs Breakouts: When to Ditch Your Skincare, Easy (5 Minute) DIY Vitamin C Serum Recipe, My Routine for Starting on Tretinoin (Retin-A) Cream.