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>>>A question has been posed concerning the potential health effects on scuba >>>divers entering a vessel containing a dilute sodium hydroxide solution in >>>seawater. The concentration of the NaOH in the seawater is between 0.2% >>>and 0.3% and the pH is 10.6 (strongly buffered by the seawater). Dermal >>>exposures could be for as long as 1 to 2 hours. There is also a high >>>potential for eye contact and ingestion. >>> >>>Eye contact is my primary concern. Is anyone familiar with studies on the >>>irritant/corrosive effects of dilute sodium hydroxide solutions on the eye? >>> Any thoughts as to the importance of the solution being buffered at pH >>>10.6 by the components of seawater? >>> >>> >>>David H. Monroe, M.S.P.H., Ph.D. >>>Toxicologist Seems to me the high PH is the main factor.I would think that is almost certain to cause irritation,if not outright destruction of tissue.Whether a high PH attributed to NaOH is worse than another cause,I cant help you there.If I understand my chemistry correctly,buffering just means that the PH is less likely to change from the buffered range,so if it's 10.6 after buffering,it's going to stay 10.6 even when it contacts occular fluids.Best I can tell you is,I wouldnt want it in my eye.Hell,on some days,even the weak thimerosol concentration in contavt lens solution is enough to make me look like I've been on a 3-day bender. John L. Dunk o Tallahassee,Fl. o screwloose@ne*.co* ______o_________
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