Potassium hydroxide (KOH) flakes, also known as caustic potash, are used as a cleaning agent and sanitizer, mainly to clean the insides of tanks from biofilms of bacteria and yeast. As a strongly basic inorganic compound, it works effectively to kill acidic organisms that are adapted to low pH environments.
Swallowing may cause severe burns of mouth, throat and stomach. Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea. Severe scarring of tissue and death may result.