# What is Caustic Soda?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 16, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370 "2003-02-16T03:22:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/21 "2003-02-17T06:00:41Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by r\_k \*
> \*\*Er… when I was at school, low pH was acidic and high pH was alkaline… I recall NaOHsub[/sub] coming in at around 12 or 13. \*\*
You are correct, and I can assure you that the definition of pH (the negative log of the Hydrogen ion concentration) has not changed its meaning in the time since you graduated.
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### Author:  [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/22 "2003-02-17T07:23:19Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by danceswithcats \*
> \*\*We HazMat guys don’t like bases. \*\*
All your bases are belong to acid.
Mmmm… salty.
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### Author:  [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/23 "2003-02-17T07:53:42Z")
All your bases are belong to acid?
Yes, acids tend to taste sour in an aqueous solution, and bases tend to taste salty.
I’m left confused as to the intent of your statement.
Have you perhaps enjoyed too many CH3CH2OH based beverages prior to your posting?
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### Author:  [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/24 "2003-02-17T08:22:16Z")
No, bases taste bitter. Salts taste salty. An acid and a base, upon being mixed in aqueous solution, turn into water (as the hydrogen and hydroxide ions get together) and salt (as the two other ions bond). The pH of this solution is 7, so both chemicals have been neutralized.
Adding bases to acids and vice versa is a way to clean up spills, as any HazMat technician would understand.
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### Author:  [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/25 "2003-02-17T10:37:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by InLikeFlynn \*
> \*\*Caustic is a 1 on the PH spectrum.
> Water being 7.5
> and Acid being 14
>
> [http://www.microessentiallab.com/paper/spec.html](http://www.microessentiallab.com/paper/spec.html) \*\*
Wouldn’t it be a pOH spectrum?
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### Author:  [@effac3d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/effac3d)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/26 "2003-02-17T12:50:23Z")
Am i the only one who is reminded of fight club by this thread?
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### Author:  [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/27 "2003-02-17T17:49:28Z")
We use thousands of gallons of aqueous 50% NaOH at my job. It has a pH of ~14 and is _extremely_ nasty at that concentration. I’ve gotten a teensy bit on my hand before and believe me, there is nothing _less_ entertaining than that slick feeling that tells you your skin is dissolving away. Here’s the MSDS:
[http://www.kasteelchemicals.com/msds\_pdf\_files/50\_caustic.pdf](http://www.kasteelchemicals.com/msds_pdf_files/50_caustic.pdf)
- Tamerlane
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### Author:  [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/28 "2003-02-17T19:55:48Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Tamerlane \*
> \*\*We use thousands of gallons of aqueous 50% NaOH at my job. It has a pH of ~14 and is _extremely_ nasty at that concentration. I’ve gotten a teensy bit on my hand before and believe me, there is nothing _less_ entertaining than that slick feeling that tells you your skin is dissolving away. Here’s the MSDS:
>
> [http://www.kasteelchemicals.com/msds\_pdf\_files/50\_caustic.pdf](http://www.kasteelchemicals.com/msds_pdf_files/50_caustic.pdf)
>
> - Tamerlane \*\*
Try getting one of those pellets on your skin. Ouch.
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### Author:  [@Trentvaughn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trentvaughn)
#### Post date: [February 17, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-caustic-soda/155370/29 "2003-02-17T19:56:05Z")
Of course I’m reminded of Fight Club from this. Apparently vinegar will dilute the solution. Just listen to Brad Pitt as an imaginary friend for ALL of your caustic chemical questions.
Also, all your base are belong to acid, that’s good.
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