Potassium hydroxide

Agent Name
Potassium hydroxide
CAS Number
1310-58-3
Formula
H-K-O
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
Caustic potash; Cyantek CC 723; Hydroxyde de potassium [French]; Potash; Potash lye; Potassa; Potasse caustique [French]; Potassio (idrossido di) [Italian]; Potassium (hydroxyde de) [French]; Potassium hydrate; Potassium hydroxide; [ChemIDplus] UN1813; UN1814
Category
Bases
Description
Odorless, white or slightly yellow lumps, rods, flakes, sticks, or pellets. [Note: May be used as an aqueous solution.]; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Used to make liquid soaps; it is also used in paint, varnish removers, and drain cleaners; it is used in electroplating, photoengraving, and lithography. [ACGIH] Used as a wet etchant in semiconductor manufacturing at standard concentrations of 50% or 10%; [CSH, p. 46]
Comments
Liquid causes second or third degree burns after short contact. [CHRIS] Potassium hydroxide 30-70% is highly corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A corrosive substance that can cause pulmonary edema; [ICSC] See "Sodium hydroxicde."
Biomedical References
Search PubMed

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
Ceiling (ACGIH)
2 mg/m3
Explanatory Notes
VP: negligible at room temperature; [CHEMINFO]
NFPA
will not burn

Adverse Effects

Toxic Pneumonitis
Yes
Dermatotoxin
Skin burns

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

Activities

Activities with risk of exposure: