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Sodium Hydroxide

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Overview

CAS No. 1310-73-2

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) has no smell. It is made of solid white crystals that absorb water from the air. Sodium hydroxide is caustic. Sodium hydroxide can harm workers who come in contact with it. The level of harm depends upon the amount, duration, and activity. It can burn the eyes, skin, and inner membranes, and cause temporary hair loss.

Manufacturers may use sodium hydroxide to produce soaps, rayon, paper, products that explode, dyes, and petroleum products. Other tasks that may use sodium hydroxide include processing cotton fabric, metal cleaning and processing, oxide coating, electroplating, and electrolytic extraction. It is often present in commercial drain and oven cleaners.

Some examples of workers who are at risk of exposure to sodium hydroxide include those who

  • Use bleach, oven cleaners, and drain cleaners
  • Work in food processing plants
  • Work in public water treatment plants
  • Use sodium hydroxide for making paper, glass, detergents, soaps, and other products
  • Mine alumina and produce aluminum

NIOSH recommends that employers use a Hierarchy of Controls to prevent injury.

If you work in an industry that uses sodium hydroxide:

  • Read the chemical label and the Safety Data Sheet. They explain how it can harm you and how to protect yourself.
  • Visit NIOSH’s page on Managing Chemical Safety in the Workplace, where you can learn more about preventing contact with chemicals in the workplace.

The following resources provide information about workplace exposure to sodium hydroxide. Useful search terms for sodium hydroxide include “lye”, “caustic soda”, “soda lye”, and “sodium hydrate”.

NIOSH Chemical Resource

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
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The NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (NPG) helps workers, employers, and occupational health professionals recognize and control workplace chemical hazards.

Manual of Analytical Methods
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The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants. This includes in workplace air and the blood and urine of workers.

Health Hazard Evaluations
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The Health Hazard Evaluation Program (HHE) conducts onsite investigations of possible worker exposure to chemicals. Search the HHE database for more information on chemical topics.

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