Exposure to sodium hydroxide could potentially increase the pH of the blood. If this chemical or liquids containing this chemical penetrate the clothing, immediately remove the clothing and wash the skin with soap and water. In severely damaged untreated burns inflammatory destruction and ulceration continues to occur for weeks or months resulting in damage ranging from dense vascular invasion to opaque scarring and corneal perforation. He suffered a cardiac arrest while general anaesthetic was being given. Concentrated Sodium Hydroxide is a strong irritant and corrosive to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal system if ingested. Although this method is not currently used (except internally by some manufacturers to classify products as irritant or corrosive) it appears to be a better predictor of injury than pH. Mercerisation is a treatment for cellulosic material, typically cotton threads, that strengthens them, gives them a lustrous appearance and increases cotton’s affinity to dye, and resistance to mildew. Log in. Furthermore the uptake of sodium, via exposure to sodium hydroxide, is much less than the uptake of sodium via food under these conditions. (1989), Wiener Klin Wschr, 101, 318-322, Casasnovas et al. Manitoba OELs (Reg. The newly formed collagen contracts both cirumferentially and longitudinally resulting in esophageal shortening and stricture formation. Topical antibiotics, systemic and topical corticosteroids and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors were given. Following … 12.6k. 1984. A barium swallow showed multiple esophageal strictures and hypoperistalsis of the proximal segment of the esophagus. A right side thoracotomy showed a 4-5 mm rupture of the descending part of the aorta with bleeding into the left pleura. The chest was initially clear but 90 minutes after admission inspiratory and expiratory wheezes were present and a chest X-ray suggested aspiration pneumonia. All rights reserved. Sodium hydroxide is used to manufacture soaps, rayon, paper, explosives, dyestuffs, and petroleum products. 1977. pH 7 means neutral. 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. The University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) reported about 67 cases of accidental ingestion of sodium hydroxide by children between 1981 and 1990 32). If sodium hydroxide contacts the skin, immediately flush the skin with large amounts of water. To date, there are no relevant studies of the prenatal toxic effects of sodium hydroxide 30). 12.6k. The CDC reports that "Skin contact with sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns with deep ulcerations. SAFETY DATA SHEET Creation Date 21-May-2012 Revision Date 20-December-2018 Revision Number 5 1. A standard esophageal alkaline burn was produced by the application of 10% sodium hydroxide to the distal esophagus in an in vivo rat model 42). Gastric injury may also occur. Follow up six weeks later revealed good healing and no complications. A second phase of raised intraocular pressure may occur due to prostaglandin release and a still later phase with glaucoma due to obstruction of aqueous outflow caused by inflammation or synechiae. She had removed the excess liquid but did not irrigate the area. It is greatest where the pH is above 12. Malondialdehyde levels in the uninjured and untreated and erythropoietin-treated groups were significantly lower than those in the sodium hydroxide but untreated group. It may also be found in dishwasher detergents. At 15 hours post-ingestion laryngoscopy and esophagoscopy were performed. Figure 1 - Text Description. Knopp 16) reported that in patients with oral burns approximately one third had significant esophageal injury, whereas 2-15% of patients with esophageal injury had no oral burns. They are rapidly transformed due to an uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere resulting in the formation of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate. Trans Ophthal Soc UK 102:85-87, Grant WM and Schuman JS. Although, there are numerous uses of sodium hydroxide, it has several potential hazards, if it is used without care and safety.