Standard Operating Procedure

Sodium Hydroxide
This SOP is not complete until it has been signed and dated by the PI and relevant lab
personnel.
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.

Department:
Chemistry & Biochemistry – Chemical Engineering
Date SOP was written:
December 14, 2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
January 18, 2013
Principal Investigator:
Prof. Susannah Scott
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Stephanie Goubert-Renaudin
Lab Phone:
(805)-893-8941
Office Phone:
(805)-893-7403

Emergency Contact: EH&S 24 hour line: 805-893-3194

Location(s) covered by this SOP: ESB 3324 and 3328

Type of SOP: ☐ Process ☒Hazardous Chemical ☐ Hazardous Class

Purpose

Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive, strong base. It reacts with strong acids, during which heat is liberated
due to exothermic reaction. If not stored and handled properly, it can pose a serious threat to the health
and safety of laboratory personnel, emergency responders and chemical waste handlers. Hence, it is
important to follow safety protocols to handle this chemical. Aqueous solutions are also used as an
effective method for cleaning glassware.

Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group

CAS#: 1310-73-2
Class: Strong Corrosive
Molecular Formula: NaOH
Form (physical state): Pellets

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 1 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety

Color: White
Boiling point: 1,390 °C (2,534 °F)
pH: 13.0 – 14
Synonym: Caustic soda

Potential Hazards/Toxicity
OSHA Hazards - Corrosive

Pictogram

Signal word: Danger!

Potential Health Effects

Inhalation May be harmful if inhaled. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract.

Skin May be harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns.

Eyes Causes eye burns. Causes severe eye burns.

Ingestion May be harmful if swallowed.

Signs and Symptoms of Exposure

Spasm, inflammation and edema of the larynx, spasm, inflammation and edema of the bronchi,
pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, burning sensation, cough, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath,
headache, nausea & vomiting. Material is extremely destructive to tissue of the mucous membranes and
upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin.
3
CalOSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 2 mg/m (Ceiling)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respiratory protection

Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face respirator with
multi-purpose combination (US) or type AXBEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to
engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air
respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government
standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU). Refer to 8 CCR 5144 for selection of respirators. A
respiratory protection program that meets 8 CCR 5144 must be followed whenever workplace conditions
warrant use of a respirator.

Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 2 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety

 • As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
• When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will
be exceeded.
• Regulations require the use of a respirator.
• An employer requires the use of a respirator.
• There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
• As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S.
This is a regulatory requirement.

Hand Protection
Handle with gloves. Nitrile, neoprene and rubber gloves are recommended. Gloves must be inspected
prior to use. If disposable gloves are contaminated, discard them. If reusable gloves are contaminated,
thoroughly rinse them with water.

Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:

http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf
OR
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
OR
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx
OR
http://www.mapaglove.com/

Eye Protection
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles.
Skin and Body Protection
A lab coat must be worn.
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at
the end of workday.

Engineering Controls
Sodium hydroxide pellets should be handled and ground in the hood to prevent unwanted exposure.

First Aid Procedures.

If inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Take off contaminated clothing immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water for 15 minutes. Take
victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting the upper and lower
eyelids. Get medical aid immediately. Continue to wash eyes during transport to the hospital.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with
water. Consult a physician.

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 3 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety

Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Precautions for safe handling
Do not allow water to get into the container because of violent exothermic reaction. Do not get in eyes, on
skin, or on clothing. Do not ingest or inhale. Avoid formation of dust. Provide appropriate exhaust
ventilation at places where dust is formed.

Conditions for safe storage

Store in a tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible
substances. Keep away from strong acids. Keep away from water. Keep away from metals. Keep away
from flammable liquids. Keep away from organohalogens. Absorbs CO2 from the air.

Spill and Accident Procedure

Chemical Spill Dial 9-911 and EH&S (805-893-3194)
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material.
Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).

Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic
bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.

Large (>1 L) – Dial 9-911 from campus phones (and 805-893-3446 from a cell phone) and EH&S
(893-3194) for assistance.

Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately.

Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the
emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately.

Medical Emergency Dial 9-911

Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 9-911 (or 805-893-3446
from a cell phone) or go to the Emergency Room of Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital at 351 South
Patterson Avenue, Goleta (Phone number: 805-967-3411) Note: All Serious injuries must be reported to
EH&S within 8 hours.

Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Student Health Building, Building 588 (phone number:
893-5361, hours: M, T, R, F 8am-4.30pm, W 9am - 4.30pm, R 5pm to 7pm by appointment). After hours
go to the Emergency Room of Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital at 351 South Patterson Avenue, Goleta
(Phone number: 805-967-3411) Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours.

Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Page the needle stick nurse \ and then enter your
extension. After hours go to the nearest emergency room: the Emergency Room of Goleta Valley Cottage

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 4 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety

Hospital at 351 South Patterson Avenue, Goleta (Phone number: 805-967-3411). Note: All needle
stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours.

Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure

Wearing proper PPE, please decontaminate equipment and bench tops. Call EH&S (805-893-3194) if
assistance is needed. Please dispose of the used potassium hydroxide and disposables contaminated
with it as hazardous waste in the appropriate waste container.

General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:

Label Waste
• Affix an on-line hazardous waste tag on all waste containers as soon as the first drop of waste is
added to the container
Store Waste
• Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
location
• Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste
• Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
• Call EH&S for questions
• Empty Containers
o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of
the container size)
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
o Prepare for transport to pick-up location

Check on-line waste tag

Write date of pick-up on the waste tag

Use secondary containment

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location

SDS can be found online: http://ehs.ucsb.edu/units/labsfty/labrsc/chemistry/lschemmsdsacc.htm

Protocol/Procedure
Sodium hydroxide is a commonly used base in the laboratory.

It is often used as a 1-5 M aqueous solution. The solid pellets should be handled carefully to avoid
expose to skin.

While preparing solutions of sodium hydroxide from sodium hydroxide pellets, the following personal
protective equipment must be worn: eye goggles with side-shield, lab coat, and rubber, nitrile or neoprene
gloves.

The solutions have to be prepared in a ventilated fume hood, away from incompatible materials such as
strong acids, metals and flammable as a potential spill area. Because dissolution of NaOH pellets in
water is exothermic, solutions of sodium hydroxide should be prepared by slowly adding the sodium
hydroxide pellets to water.

Diluted sodium hydroxide solutions can be handled outside the fume hood.

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 5 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety

When sodium hydroxide solution is used for liquid-liquid extractions in a separatory funnel, caution must
be exercised such that pressure build-up in the funnel is safely vented.

Sodium hydroxide solutions used have to be disposed as hazardous waste, in the appropriate basic
container.

NOTE: Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.

Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

• Prior to conducting any work with Sodium Hydroxide, designated personnel, i.e. approved users listed
below, must provide training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in
working with this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

• The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a
copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.

• The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate
laboratory safety training or refresher training as required by EH&S.

I have read and understand the content of this SOP:

Name Signature Trainer Date

Prof. Susannah Scott

Stephanie
Goubert-Renaudin
Gary Kwanyi Ng

Alessandro Gallo

Anthony Crisci

Haibo Yu

Taeho Hwang

Bethany Wigington

Daniel Coller

Zachary Jones

Youhong Wang

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 6 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety

 Jinghong Zhou

Jason Fendi

Sodium hydroxide (pellets). 7 Date: 11/7/2012

SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety