Material Safety

Data Sheet

MSDS
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MSDS

Understanding MSDS information

 Product Identification
 Hazardous Ingredients Of Mixtures
 Physical Data
 Fire And Explosion Hazard Data
 Health Hazard Data
 Reactivity Data
 Spill, Leak And Disposal Procedures
 Personal Protection Information
MSDS
•Understanding MSDS information
The following is an explanation which is provided to help you interpret
the information found on manufacturers’ MSDSs. While the format of
these data sheets varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, certain
components appear on each sheet.
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Product Identification
• This section gives the name and address of the manufacturer
and an emergency phone number where questions about
toxicity and chemical hazards can be directed.
• Product Name: Commercial or marketing name.
Synonym: Approved chemical name and/or synonyms.
Chemical Family: Group of chemicals with related physical
and chemical properties.
Formula: Chemical formula, if applicable; i.e., the
conventional scientific definition for a material. CAS
Number: Number assigned to chemicals or materials by the
Chemical Abstracts Service.
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Hazardous Ingredients Of Mixtures

This section describes the percent composition

of the substance, listing chemicals present in
the mixture. If it was tested as a mixture, lists
chemicals which contribute to its hazardous
nature. Otherwise, lists ingredients making up
more than 1% and all carcinogens.
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Physical Data
• This section outlines the physical properties of the material. The
information may be used to determine conditions for exposure. For
example, one can determine whether or not a chemical will form a
vapor (vapor pressure), whether this vapor will rise or fall (vapor
density), and what the vapor should smell like (appearance and
odor). This could help determine whether to use a fume hood or
where to place ventilators. The following information is usually
included:
• Boiling Point: temperature at which liquid changes to vapor state
Melting Point: temperature at which a solid begins to change to liquid

Vapor Pressure: a measure of how volatile a substance is and how

quickly it evaporates. For comparison, the VP of water (at 20o C) is
17.5 mm Hg, Vaseline (non-volatile) is close to 0 mm Hg, and diethyl
ether (very volatile) is 440 mm Hg.
Physical Data
• Vapor Density (air=1): weight of a gas or vapor compared to weight of an
equal volume of air. Density greater than 1 indicates it is heavier than air,
less than 1 indicates it is lighter than air. Vapors heavier than air can flow
along just above ground, where they may pose a fire or explosion hazard.
• Specific Gravity(water=1): ratio of volume weight of material to equal
volume weight of water. Solubility in Water: percentage of material that
will dissolve in water, usually at ambient temperature. Since the much of
the human body is made of water, water soluble substances more readily
absorb and distribute.
Appearance/Odor: color, physical state at room temperature, size of
particles, consistency, odor, as compared to common substances. Odor
threshold refers to the concentration required in the air before vapors
are detected or recognized.
% Volatile by Volume: Percentage of a liquid or solid, by volume, that
evaporates at a temperature of 70oF.
Evaporation Rate: usually expressed as a time ratio with ethyl ether = 1,
unless otherwise specified.
Viscosity: internal resistance to flow exhibited by a fluid, normally
measured in centiStoke time or Saybolt Universal Secs.
Other Pertinent Physical Data: information such as freezing point is given,
as appropriate.
Fire And Explosion Hazard Data

• This section includes information regarding the flammability of the material

and information for fighting fires involving the material.
• Flashpoint: the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor
to ignite when a source of ignition is present.
Autoignition Temperature: the approximate temperature at which a
flammable gas-air mixture will ignite without spark or flame. Vapors and
gases will spontaneously ignite at lower temperatures in oxygen than in air.
Flammable Limits: the lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive limit
(UEL) define the range of concentration of a gas or vapor in air at which
combustion can occur. For instance, an automobile carburetor controls this
mixture - too lean (not enough chemical) or too rich (not enough air, as
when you flood your engine), will not ignite.
Extinguishing Media: appropriate extinguishing agent(s) for the material.
Fire-fighting Procedures: Appropriate equipment and methods are indicated
for limiting hazards encountered in fire situations.
Fire or Explosion Hazards: Hazards and/or conditions which may cause fire
or explosions are defined.
Health Hazard Data
• This section defines the medical signs and symptoms that may be
encountered with normal exposure or overexposure to this material or
its components. Information on the toxicity of the substance may also
be presented. Results of animal studies are most often given. i.e. LD50
(mouse)=250 mg/kg. Usually expressed in weight of chemical per kg of
body weight. LD50 or lethal dose 50 is the dose of a substance which
will cause the death of half the experimental animals. LC50 is the
concentration of the substance in air which will cause the death of half
the experimental animals.
• Health hazard information may also distinguish the effects of acute
(short term) and chronic (long-term) exposure.
• Emergency And First Aid Procedures
• Based on the toxicity of the product, degree of exposure and route of
contact (eye, skin, inhalation, ingestion, injection), emergency and first
aid procedures are recommended in this section. Additional
cautionary statements, i.e., Note to Physician, for first aid procedures,
when necessary, will also appear here.
Reactivity Data
• This section includes information regarding the stability of the material
and any special storage or use considerations.
• Stability: "unstable" indicates that a chemical may decompose
spontaneously under normal temperatures, pressures, and mechanical
shocks. Rapid decomposition produces heat and may cause fire or
explosion. Conditions to avoid are listed in this section.
Incompatibility: certain chemicals, when mixed may create hazardous
conditions. Incompatible chemicals should not be stored together.
Hazardous Decomposition Products: chemical substances which may
be created when the chemical decomposes or burns.
Hazardous Polymerization: rapid polymerization may produce enough
heat to cause containers to explode. Conditions to avoid are listed in
this section.
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Spill, Leak And Disposal Procedures

This section outlines general procedures, precautions and methods for

cleanup of spills. Appropriate waste disposal methods are provided for
safety and environmental protection.
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Personal Protection Information
• This section includes general information about appropriate personal
protective equipment for handling this material. Many times, this
section of the MSDS is written for large scale use of the material.
Appropriate personal protection may be determined by considering the
amount of the material being used and the actual manipulations to be
performed.
• Eye Protection: recommendations are dependent upon the irritancy,
corrosivity, and special handling procedures.
Skin Protection: describes the particular types of protective garments
and appropriate glove materials to provide personnel protection.
Respiratory Protection: appropriate respirators for conditions exceeding
the recommended occupational exposure limits.
Ventilation: air flow schemes (general, local) are listed to limit hazardous
substances in the atmosphere.