BJ SERVICES Region:

COMPANY
Europe Africa
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET

SECTION I - PRODUCT INFORMATION

Product Name: Caustic Soda

Product Use: pH control.  
Chemical Family: Inorganic base.  
Contact Address:
BJ Services Company (UK) Limited
Badentoy Avenue, Badentoy Park
Porthlethen, Aberdeen, Scotland AB12 4YB
Phone: +44 (0) 1224 401 401 Fax: +44 (0) 1224 401 501

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL: +44 (0) 1224 401 401 (24 HRS)

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

Ingredient Risk Safety Hazard

CAS # % Phrases Phrases Symbol

Sodium hydroxide
001310-73-2 >99 35 26 37/39 45 C

SECTION III - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

Causes severe burns.  

SECTION IV - FIRST AID MEASURES

INHALATION:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing give artificial respiration, preferably mouth-to-mouth. If
breathing is difficult give oxygen. Get medical attention.   

INGESTION:
Rinse mouth with water several times. Do not induce vomiting. Give victim plenty of water. Obtain
medical attention immediately.  

EYES:
In case of contact, or suspected contact, immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15
minutes and get medical attention immediately.   
SKIN:
Quickly and gently brush away excess chemical. Rush without delay to the nearest hose or shower where
the skin should be flushed with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes while removing
contaminated clothing. Get immediate medical attention.   

SECTION V - FIRE AND EXPLOSION DATA

NFPA-FLAMMABILITY CODE: 0
FLASHPOINT (METHOD): None
LOWER EXPLOSION LIMIT (% v/v): Not applicable
UPPER EXPLOSION LIMIT (% v/v): Not applicable
AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE: Not applicable

SPECIAL HAZARDS:
Non-combustible material.  

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA:
Use appropriate media for surrounding fire.  

SPECIAL FIREFIGHTING PROCEDURES:

Fire-fighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing when fighting
chemical fires. CAUTION: This product may react violently when exposed to water producing extreme
heat and spattering.  

HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS:

None.  

SECTION VI - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Wear proper protective equipment as specified in Section VIII. Prevent from entering sewers or waterways.
Sweep, scoop, or vacuum up spill, while taking care not to disperse dust in the air. Place in suitable
container(s) for reuse or disposal. Neutralize remaining traces of product with dilute acid. Flush area with
copious quantities of water.  

SECTION VII - HANDLING AND STORAGE

HANDLING:
Use only in a well ventilated area. Wear specified protective equipment. Never add water TO this product.
When diluting, add product slowly to cool water with constant stirring. Avoid creating dust.   

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS:
Keep container closed when not in use. Keep container in a well ventilated area. Keep away from
incompatible materials.  

SECTION VIII - EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION

SPECIFIC ENGINEERING CONTROLS:

Use only in well ventilated area. Local exhaust.  

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Dust mask.  Chemical resistant goggles. Face shield.  Rubber gloves.  Rubber apron. Rubber boots.
Coveralls.  
EXPOSURE GUIDELINES:

Sodium hydroxide
001310-73-2 ACGIH-TLV, CEIL-mg/m3=2

SECTION IX - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL STATE: Solid  

COLOR: White  
ODOR: None  
ODOR THRESHOLD: Not applicable
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 2.13 @ 20°C
VAPOR PRESSURE: Not applicable
VAPOR DENSITY (air=1): Not applicable
EVAPORATION RATE: Not applicable
BOILING POINT: 1390°C
FREEZING POINT: Not applicable
pH: > 14 (10% sol.)
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: Complete.  
COEFFICIENT OF WATER/OIL
DISTRIBUTION: >1

SECTION X - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

STABILITY: Stable.  

INCOMPATIBILITY/CONDITIONS OF REACTIVITY:
Reaction with water may generate enough heat to ignite combustible materials. May react violently with
strong acids, organohalogen and nitro compounds. Contact with some metals (aluminum, tin and zinc)
produces flammable hydrogen gas.  

HAZARDOUS THERMAL DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:

When heated above boiling point, product will emit corrosive mist.   

HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will not occur.

SECTION XI - TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

PRIMARY ROUTES OF EXPOSURE: Inhalation. Eye contact. Skin contact.  

ACUTE OVEREXPOSURE EFFECTS:

INHALATION: Corrosive to respiratory passages. Inhalation of dust may cause severe respiratory tract
irritation. Coughing, chest pains, and breathing difficulty may occur.   

INGESTION: Causes burns of the mouth, throat and stomach. May cause severe damage of
gastrointestinal tract.  
EYE CONTACT: MAY CAUSE EYE BURNS. May cause severe irritation or burns to the eyes. May
cause permanent eye damage.  
SKIN CONTACT: Causes skin burns which may not be immediately painful or visible.   

CHRONIC EFFECTS:
Respiratory ailments. Dermatitis.  

SENSITIZATION: Not known.  

CARCINOGENICITY: None of the components of this product have been listed as carcinogenic by
IARC, NTP or OSHA.
IARC- International Agency for Research on Cancer
NTP - National Toxicology Program
OSHA - Occupational Safety & Health Administration (US)  
MUTAGENICITY: Not known.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY: Not known.

SECTION XII - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

AQUATIC TOXICITY:
Sodium hydroxide appears on PARCOM Decision 94/1. It is also present on the "OCNS (Offshore
Chemical Notification Scheme) List of Notified Chemicals" as caustic soda and has been rated as a
Category 1.  

SECTION XIII - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

WASTE DISPOSAL:
Disposal should be made in accordance with EC, national and local regulations.   

SECTION XIV - SHIPPING INFORMATION

SHIPPING NAME:
Sodium hydroxide, solid  

UN NUMBER: UN 1823

AIR-ICAO/IATA
Class: 8
Packing Group: II
Labels: Corrosive  

SEA-IMO/IMDG
Class: 8
Packing Group: II
IMDG Page No.: 8225-1
Labels: Class 8  

ADR/RID-ADNR
ADR/RID/ADNR Class: 8
ADR/RID/ADNR Item: 41(b)
Label No.: 8
Hazard ID No.: 80  
SECTION XV - REGULATORY INFORMATION

NAME(S) ON LABEL:
SODIUM HYDROXIDE  
EC NUMBER: 215-185-5
CLASSIFICATION/SYMBOL: Corrosive/C  
RISK PHRASES:
R35 Causes severe burns.
  
SAFETY PHRASES:
S26 In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S37/39 Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.
S45 In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately.
  
SECTION XVI - OTHER INFORMATION

ISSUE DATE: 01/03/97

REVISIONS:
Not applicable (first issue).  
PREPARED BY: Chemical Technology Centre

REFERENCES:
Suppliers' Literature.
Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials, 9th ed.; N. Irving Sax, 1996.
CCINFOdisc (Core Collection), Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and
Safety, 1996.
European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by
Road (ADR), 1995.
International Marine Dangerous Goods Code, 1996, International Maritime
Organisation, consolidated ed., 1996.
Dangerous Goods Regulations, 38th ed., International Air Transport
Association, 1997.
  

"Information contained herein has been provided in good faith and reasonable efforts have been made to
ensure its reliability, however BJ Services Company accepts no liability for damage arising from the use of
this information."
Revision: 1 Status: Approved & Released MSDS

Revision History:

Revision: Sec/Para Change Made: Date

Changed
1 N/A Initial Issue of Document 01/03/97