The test tube and stopper where brand new. I didn't want to mention brand names, but it's the NaOH that comes in a container with the red letters on it. I was thinking about not getting LG NaOH anymore because of the $25 Hazmat fee, but I think I'll be sticking with the LG after seeing this. Maybe I got some from a bad batch or something. The cap felt kind of loose when I got it home. I know NaOH is hydroscopic, but that shouldn’t make it do this right? I wonder if companies are starting to add crap to it on purpose. There must be very little quality control with this stuff though because of its intended use. I used it a while back (about 2 years ago) and this didn't happen, but I thought I would check it mainly because I got bored and had nothing better to do.