LI-COR, Inc. 4647 Superior Street P.O.Box 4425 Lincoln, NE 68504 USA Phone: (402) 467-0700 Toll Free: (800) 447-3576 Fax: (402) 467-0819 www.licor.com

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

1. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

2. COMPOSITIONS AND INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

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   Chemical Name       CAS#            W/V%       EXPOSURE LIMITS IN AIR-OSHA
   NE = NOT ESTABLISHED                           PEL       STEL       IDLH      OTHER
                                                 mg/m3      mg/m3      mg/m3     mg/m3

   Sodium Hydroxide    1310-73-2        3%      2 mg/m3       NE         NE        NE
      
   Calcium Hydroxide   1305-62-0       >50-95   5 mg/m3       NE         NE        NE
   
   Potassium Hydroxide 1305-58-3       >1-10    2 mg/m3       NE         NE        NE   
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3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Hazard Description: C Corrosive

Information pertaining to particular dangers for man and environment

Risk Phrases

R 35                               Causes severe burns

Classification system:  The classification was made according to the latest editions of the EU lists, and expanded                                                upon from company and literature data.

Safety Phrases

S2                                  Keep out of reach of children

S 26                               In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.

S 37/39                          Wear suitable gloves and eye/face protection.

CORROSIVE, MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED.

Health Rating:             2-Moderate

Flammability Rating:    0-None

Reactivity Rating:          0-Slight

Contact Rating:           3-Severe (Corrosive)

Inhalation: Severe irritant.  Effects from inhalation of dust or mist vary from mild irritation to serious damage of the upper respiratory tract, depending on severity of exposure.  Symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat or runny nose.  Severe pneumonia may occur.

Ingestion: Corrosive. Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat and stomach.  Severe scarring of tissue and death may result.  Symptoms may include bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea, fall in blood pressure.  Damage may appear days after exposure.

Skin Contact:  Corrosive.  Contact with skin can cause irritation or severe burns and scarring with greater exposures.

Eye Contact:  Corrosive.  Causes irritation of eyes and with greater exposures it can cause burns that may result in permanent impairment of vision, even blindness.

Chronic Exposure: Prolonged contact with dilute solution or dust has a destructive effect upon tissue.

Aggravation Pre-existing Conditions:  Persons with pre-existing skin disorder or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Skin Exposure: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.  Get medical attention immediately.   Remove any contaminated clothing, taking care not to contaminate eyes.
Eye Exposure: If liquids or vapors of this product's components enter the eyes, open victim's eyes while under gently running water.  Use sufficient force to open eyelids.  Have victim "roll" eyes.  Minimum flushing is for 15 minutes.
Inhalation: If vapors, mists or sprays of the products components are inhaled, causing irritation, remove victims to fresh air.  If necessary, use artificial respiration to support vital functions.  Remove or cover gross contamination to avoid exposure to rescuers.
Ingestion: If this product is swallowed, CALL PHYSICIAN OR POISON CONTROL CENTER FOR MOST CURRENT INFORMATION.  If professional advice is not available, do not induce vomiting.  Victim should drink milk, egg whites, or large quantities of water.  Never induce vomiting or give diluents (milk or water) to someone who is unconscious, having convulsion, or unable to swallow.

Victims of chemical exposure must be taken for medical attention.  Rescuers should be taken for medical attention, if necessary.  Take copy of label and MSDS to physician or health professional with victim.

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

Unusual Fire And Explosion Hazards: When involved in a fire, this material may decompose and produce irritating fumes and toxic gases (including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxides of nitrogen).
Flash Point, °C: N/A
Auto ignition Temperature, °C: N/A
Flammable Limits (In Air By Volume, %): N/A
Fire Extinguishing Materials: Use suppression methods for surrounding materials.

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Spill And Leak Response: For small releases, treat the product as water, but take basic hygiene precautions.  Lightweight gloves, a lab coat, and eye protection should be worn.  Absorb spilled material with paper towels.  Wash contaminated area with soap and water, absorb with paper towels and rinse with water.  Trained personnel using pre-planned procedures would respond to large releases that are not immediately controlled.  Proper protection equipment should be used.  In case of a spill, clear the affected area, protect people and respond with trained personnel.

In the event of a non-incidental, minimum release, Personal Protective Equipment should be:

Level D: lab gloves, chemical resistant apron, boots and splashes goggles.  Respiratory protection should not be necessary. 

Do not flush caustics residues to sewer.  Residues from spills can be diluted with water neutralized with dilute acid such as acetic, hydrochloric or sulphuric acid.  Absorb spilled liquid with poly pads or other suitable absorbent materials.  Decontaminate the area thoroughly.  Place all spill residues in a suitable container and seal.  Dispose of in accordance with Federal, State and local hazardous waste disposal regulation.

7. HANDLING and STORAGE

Work Practices And Hygiene Practices: As with all chemicals, avoid getting this product ON YOU or IN YOU.  Wash hands after handling this product.  Avoid splashing or spraying this product.  Do not ear or drink while handling this product.
Storage And Handling Practices: All employees who handle this material should be trained to handle it safely.  Avoid breathing vapors or mists generated by this product. Ensure that containers of this product are properly labeled.  Open containers slowly on a stable surface.  Store vials as directed in the product insert.  Keep vials tightly closed when not in use.  Store away from incompatible materials.  Inspect vials containing this product for leaks or damage.  Prior to use, read instruction provided with product.
Protective Practices During Maintenance Of Contaminated Equipment:  Follow practices indicated in Section 6 (Accidental Release Measures).  Make certain that application equipment is locked and tagged-out safely, as applicable.  Always use this product in areas where adequate ventilation is provided.  Decontaminate equipment using soapy water before maintenance begins.  Collect all rinsates and dispose of according to applicable Federal, State or Local procedures.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS-PERSONAL PROTECTION

Ventilation And Engineering Controls: Use with adequate ventilation.  Use a mechanical fan or vent area to outside, if necessary.  Eye-wash stations should be available near location where his product is used.
Respiratory Protection: Respiratory protection is generally not needed when using this product.  Maintain airborne contaminant concentration below limits listed in Section 2. (Composition and Information on Ingredients).  If respiratory protection is needed, use only protection authorized in 29 CFR 1910.134 or applicable State regulations. Use supplied air respiration protection if oxygen levels are below 19.5% or are unknown.
Eye Protection: Splash goggles or safety glasses.
Hand Protection: Wear butyl rubber gloves for routine industrial use.
Body Protection: Use body protection appropriate for task, such as a lab coat.

9. PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

10. STABILITY and REACTIVITY

Stability: Stable, under normal handling and storage conditions.  Solid sodium hydroxide:  Very hygroscopic.  Can slowly pick up moisture from air and react with carbon dioxide from air to form sodium carbonate.
Decomposition Products: Oxides of silicon and sodium may form when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Conditions To Avoid: Moisture, dusting and incompatibles.

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Toxicity Data: The specific toxicology data available for components greater that 1% in concentration are as follows:

Sodium Hydroxide:

Severe-(skin, rabbit)=500 mg, 24 hrs.

LD₅₀ (intra peritoneal, mouse) = 40 mg/kg

Investigated at a mutagen

Calcium Hydroxide

LD₅₀ (oral, rat) = 7340 mg/kg

Potassium Hydroxide

LD₅₀ (oral, rat) = 273 mg/kg
Suspected Cancer Agent: The chemicals in the product's solutions are not found on the following lists: NTP, IARC, Federal OSHA Z-list and CAL-OSHA, and therefore are not considered to be, nor suspected by these agencies, to be cancer causing agents.
Irritancy Of Product: Corrosive.  See Section 3. 
Sensitization To The Product: The chemicals in this product's solutions are not know to be sensitizer with prolonged or repeated use.
Reproductive Toxicity Information: Listed below is information concerning the effects of this product and its components on the human reproductive system.
Mutagenicity: This product is being investigated as a mutagenic. 
Embryo toxicity: Not Known 
Teratogenicity: Not Known 
Reproductive Toxicity: This product is not reported at this time to cause adverse reproductive effects in humans.  .
Medical Condition Aggravated By Exposure: See Section 3.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

Environmental Stability: No information found.
Effect Of Material On Plants Or Animals: No information found.  See Section 11 (Toxicological Information) for further information regarding the effects of chemicals in this product's solutions on test animals.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Preparing Wastes For Disposal: Waste Disposal must be in accordance with appropriate Federal, State and local regulation.  This product, if altered by use, may be disposed of by treatment at a permitted facility or as advised by your local hazardous waste regulatory authority.
EPA Waste Number: Not applicable to this product.

14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

This material is not hazardous as defined by 49 CFR 172.101 by the U.S. Department of Transportation.  This material is not considered as Dangerous Goods.  Because it contains less than 4% Sodium Hydroxide.  IATA Special Provision A16 applies

Proper Shipping Name: None
Hazard Class Number And Description: None
UN Identification Number: None
Packing Group:N/A

DOT Label(s) Required: N/A

Information reported for product/size: N/A

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

SARA Reporting Requirements: The following chemical is subject to Sections 302, 304, and 313 reporting requirements under the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act.

Chemical                                               SARA 302                          SARA 304                        SARA 313

Sodium Hydroxide                                      NO                                     NO                                    NO

Calcium Hydroxide                                     NO                                     NO                                    NO

Potassium Hydroxide                                  NO                                     NO                                    NO
SARA Threshold Planning Quantity: N/A
TSCA Inventory Status: The components of this product are listed on the TSCA inventory.

CERCLA Reportable Quantity (RQ):  Sodium Hydroxide-1000 lbs.
Other Federal Regulations: N/A

16. OTHER INFORMATION