Yes, lye is dangerous and must be handled with care. Lye (sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) is a highly caustic substance that can cause chemical burns, permanent injuries, scarring, and blindness upon direct contact with skin or eyes.
Health Hazards
Lye poses several serious risks when mishandled:
- Skin contact : Causes corrosive burns, redness, pain, blisters, and serious skin damage
- Eye exposure : Can result in severe burns, pain, blurred vision, and permanent blindness
- Ingestion : May be harmful or fatal if swallowed, causing severe burns to the throat, esophagus, and stomach with potential permanent damage
- Inhalation : Breathing lye fumes or particles can irritate or damage the respiratory tract
Chemical Reactions
Lye creates additional dangers through its chemical properties. When dissolved in water, it generates substantial heat that can cause the solution to boil or erupt if added too quickly. Lye also reacts with metals like aluminum, magnesium, and zinc to produce explosive hydrogen gas, making mixing lye with these metals in closed containers extremely hazardous.
Safe Handling
Despite these dangers, lye can be used safely with proper precautions. Essential safety measures include wearing protective equipment (goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and adequate ventilation), keeping lye away from children and pets, and treating it with the same respect as boiling water. In soap making, once lye is mixed with oils and fats, the danger decreases significantly because the lye becomes diluted.
