A critique of the U.S. standard for industrial exposure to sodium hydroxide aerosols.

Published studies of the toxicity of sodium hydroxide aerosols are few. These studies were generally marred by inadequate characterization of particle size and chemical compositon and of the ambient humidity. Because NaOH aerosols can readily undergo reaction with carbon dioxide to form sodium carbonate, a much less alkaline (and less hygroscopic) compound, these shortcomings may warrant a reconsideration of the NaOH standard and the consideration of a Na2CO3 standard.