NIOSH lists irritation of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, pneumonitis, eye and skin burns, and temporary hair loss for sodium hydroxide exposure; target organs include the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: NIOSH Pocket Guide — Sodium hydroxide ↗Dust entry
Sodium hydroxide dust
Solid sodium hydroxide flakes, beads, or granules that can generate caustic dust, covered by the NIOSH Pocket Guide.
Airborne form
dust
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
Health effects
eye irritationskin irritationmucous-membrane irritationpneumonitiseye burnsskin burnstemporary hair loss
Evidence
Controls
- dust containment
- local exhaust ventilation
- prevent skin and eye contact
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection