The environmental impacts of creating a lye based soap or cleaning product is presented here. As a family, we have chosen to avoid products using this base component.
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Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive. Sodium hydroxide should be kept away from drinking water source because it may die or have severe scarring of tissues in humans as well as animals.
Molten sodium hydroxide has characteristics as faster decomposition capability. Sodium hydroxide in the atmosphere decomposes to form sodium oxide, which is a hazardous gas. The presence of this gas in the atmosphere is a source of air pollution. Air pollution not only affects humans but also affects the environment adversely by destroying plants in the wild, putting additional stress on ecosystems.
The decomposition of Sodium hydroxide by reaction with certain metals such as aluminum, tin and zinc releases explosive hydrogen gas. Sodium hydroxide should not be allowed to come in contact with these metals. This gas results in direct poisoning of the environment.
Also, when Sodium hydroxide comes in contact with acids and organic halogen compounds, especially trichloroethylene, causes violent reactions. Sodium hydroxide even in fairly dilute solution reacts readily with various sugars to produce carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide in turn adversely affects agriculture by reducing crop yields.
Pre- Production environmental impacts
During the manufacture of sodium hydroxide, mercury forms an essential part of the mercury cell process. Mercury is a very harmful element and stringent steps are taken to control and minimize the mercury usage during manufacture. Mercury entering or leaving the cell is washed with filtered water to remove any impurities that may be present. This water can prove detrimental to the aquatic life. Therefore this water should be passed through a special mercury trap where the mercury could be recovered. Also mercury vapor may be contained in flu gases. This gas has pollutes our environment. Therefore this vapor should be drained and returned to the cells.
Bhardwaj P. 2001.
http://www.oocities.org/tiger_dil3000/
