Sodium Hydroxide

 

 

 

Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, soda, or caustic soda is a chemical found in a number of household products. Mainly drain cleaners, stove tops cleaners, as well as a variety of other beauty products and medications. It is also a key component in the soap making process. But how much do we really know about the health risks around this chemical?

Sodium hydroxide is highly soluble in water. The reaction between the two compounds is exothermic. What does this mean? Well, when combined, water and sodium hydroxide will produce a large amount of heat (Helmenstine, 2020).

The biggest risk posed by sodium hydroxide (assuming you do not intend to eat it or inhale it) occurs when it comes into contact with your skin. Sodium hydroxide is known to cause skin irritation, burns, and rashes (Bass, 2021). If you are concerned about the risks posed by sodium hydroxide in the home, there is an alternative. Magnesium hydroxide has proven to be a safer choice. Most notably, magnesium hydroxide is less alkaline – and as such less corrosive – and can achieve the same results as sodium hydroxide with less needing to be used (Ni & He, 2010, p.170).

So, with all these health risks, why is sodium hydroxide even in our cleaning products? This is because of a process known as saponification. Saponification breaks down the bonds in fat, creating smaller water-soluble molecules (Haas, 2020). This process proves to be useful in cleaning up greasy messes left on the stove or built up in drains. So next time you make a mess in the home, and mindlessly grab a cleaner from under the sink. Take a second to read the label, check the ingredients, and be aware of the risks that could be caused by the chemicals in the products we use so often.

References:

Bass, L. (2021). No lyes, please: is sodium hydroxide safe in skin care? Greatist. https://greatist.com/health/sodium-hydroxide-skin-care. 

Haas, K. (2020). Saponification lab handout (hydrolysis of triglycerides). LibretextsChemistry. 

Helmenstine, A.M. (2020). How to prepare a sodium hydroxide or NaOH solution. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/prepare-sodium-hydroxide-or-naoh-solution-608150. 

Ni, Y. & He, Z. (2010). Using magnesium hydroxide as the alkali source for peroxide bleaching of mechanical pulps-process chemistry and industrial implementation. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal, 25(2), p.170.