Water Quality District - Hazardous Waste
Bases
What Are They?
Strong bases are caustic substances that have a high pH such as lye (sodium hydroxide) or ammonia. They are found in several household cleaning products, including drain cleaners, oven cleaners and pool or aquarium pH adjusters
How To Identify Them?
Read the label and look for signal words: Caution, Warning, Danger, and Poison. These signal words indicate the level of hazard (caution is the least hazardous compared to poison, which is highly toxic). Use the least hazardous product for the job. Read the instructions on how to use the product and use the correct amount. Remember, you won’t get twice the results by using twice the product.
What makes them hazardous?
Strong bases are highly reactive with human tissues and can cause severe burns when touched, severe eye damage or blindness when splashed in eyes, damage to respiratory system when inhaled, and severe injury to digestive system or death when ingested.
Safety Notes
- Do not mix household cleaners and/or chemicals. Mixing household cleaners can cause toxic gases. For example do not mix products containing bleach with products containing ammonia.
- Some strong bases alone are very dangerous and exposure can result in serious health effects. Immediately flush with water and seek medical attention upon contact.
- If caustic base is ingested, do not induce vomiting; give milk or water immediately and call the poison control center (800-222-1222).
- Use only in well-ventilated area.
Disposal Options
Dispose:
- Contact the Missoula Wastewater Treatment Facility (258-4880), for information on how to safely dispose if you are on City Sewer. If you are not on City Sewer, large amounts of caustic bases should not be sent through your septic system, as these substances can damage the system. You may flush small quantities down the drain a bit at a time, over multiple days, or better yet, give to someone who is on City Sewer to dispose.
- Annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event: Bring to Haz Waste Days in September.
The Residential Disposal Guide is provided by the Missoula Valley Water Quality District as a public service and is not an endorsement of specific businesses, services or products. Any omissions or inaccuracies are unintentional. Please contact us with corrections or additions. Call businesses or agencies to confirm hours, locations and charges for services, if any. For information on disposal of items not listed, email or call the Water Quality District at 406-258-4890, M - F, 8 am to 5 pm.
Much of the information provided is from the Washington County, MN, Dept. of Public Health and Environment website.
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