Damage may appear days after exposure. An increased number of esophageal cancer cases have been reported to occur in individuals who have scarring of the esophagus from swallowing sodium hydroxide. Symptoms may include sneezing, sore throat or runny nose. Severe pneumonitis may occur. Contact of the skin may cause skin irritation and, with greater exposure, severe burns with scarring.
Sodium hydroxide is destructive to eye tissues on contact.
Will cause severe burns that result in damage to the eyes and even blindness. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical. The chronic local effect may consist of multiple areas of superficial destruction of the skin or of primary irritant dermatitis. Similarly, inhalation of dust, spray, or mist may result in varying degrees of irritation or damage to the respiratory tract tissues and an increased susceptibility to respiratory illness. A physician should be contacted if anyone develops any signs or symptoms and suspects that they are caused by exposure to sodium hydroxide.