Understanding Material

Safety Data Sheets

University of Alaska Fairbanks
Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management
August 2012

 The

Federal Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) requires manufacturers or
distributors of hazardous materials to assess the
physical and health hazards of the chemical or
product

This

information must be included in the Material

Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which must be
provided to the purchaser of the product with at
least the initial shipment of the chemical

Outlined

in the Hazard Communication Standard,

Code of Federal Regulations (29CFR 1910.1200)

UNDERSTANDING MATERIAL
SAFETY DATA SHEETS
2

An

MSDS must be obtained

and maintained for every
chemical/product used in the
workplace

The

MSDSs must be
accessible to all personnel
during their work hours

UNDERSTANDING MATERIAL
SAFETY DATA SHEETS
3

The

MSDS is typically
organized into
individual sections

NOTE!

Not all MSDSs

are the same!
Section numbers and
contents can vary
with each MSDS

MSDS Information by Section

4

I.

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

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. The
number is unique to each chemical

MSDS Information: Section I

5

I.

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION (CONT.)

Name,

address and
phone number of the
manufacturer
Date MSDS was written
National Fire Protection
Association rating
Storage Color Code

MSDS Information: Section I

6

II.

COMPONENT DATA (HAZARDOUS

INGREDIENTS/IDENTITY INFO)
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

MSDS Information: Section II

7

II.

COMPONENT DATA (cont.)

The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL).

National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit
(REL)
The American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit
value (TLV) will also be listed, if appropriate

MSDS Information: Section II

8

II.

COMPONENT DATA (cont.): OSHA PEL

Regulated

standard (its the law!)

Usually expressed in parts per
million parts of air (ppm) or
milligrams of dust or vapor per
cubic meter of air (mg/m 3)
Usually a time weighted average
(TWA) - concentration averaged
over an eight-hour day

MSDS Information: Section II

9

II.

COMPONENT DATA (cont.): OSHA PEL

STEL

or short term exposure limit may be listed

STEL

is a 15 minute TWA that should not be

exceeded

ceiling limit (C), is a concentration which may

not be exceeded at any time
A skin notation means that skin exposure
(including mucous membranes or eyes) is
significant in contributing to the overall
exposure

MSDS Information: Section II

10

II.

COMPONENT DATA (cont.): NIOSH

REL & ACGIH TLV
Recommended

limits
TLVs also use TWA, STEL, C
Often limits are lower than OSHAs PEL
It

is UAFs policy to strive to meet the

more conservative standards

MSDS Information: Section II

11

III.

PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING

& STORAGE
This

section provides
information for handling and
storing a product. This
information may be
sometimes found under
section VII (REACTIVITY)

MSDS Information: Section III

12

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA

Outlines

the physical
properties of the material

The

information may be used

to determine conditions for
exposure

MSDS Information: Section IV

13

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

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

MSDS Information: Section IV

14

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

Vapor

Density (air=1): weight of a gas or

vapor compared to weight of an equal
volume of air
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

MSDS Information: Section IV

15

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

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

MSDS Information: Section IV

16

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

Decomposition

Temperature: The
temperature at which a substance will
break down or decompose into smaller
fragments
% Volatile by Volume: Percentage of a
liquid or solid, by volume, that evaporates
at a temperature of 70 F

MSDS Information: Section IV

17

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

Evaporation

Rate: rate at
which a material will
vaporize (change from liquid
to vapor) compared to the
rate of vaporization of a
specific known material,
usually n-butyl acetate.
Expressed as a ratio

is a measure of
a fluid's resistance to flow

Viscosity:

MSDS Information: Section IV

18

IV.

PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

pH:

describes the acidic or basic

nature of a material. Scale
ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14
(basic/alkaline) for an aqueous
solution

Other

Pertinent Physical Data:

information such as freezing
point is given, as appropriate

MSDS Information: Section IV

19

V.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Includes

general information
about appropriate personal
protective equipment for
handling this material

It

is vital that this

information be followed

MSDS Information: Section V

20

V. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

(cont.)

Eye

Protection:
recommendations are
dependent upon the irritancy,
corrosiveness, and special
handling procedures

Skin

Protection: describes
the particular types of
protective garments and
appropriate glove materials to
provide personnel protection

MSDS Information: Section V

21

V.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

(cont.)
Respiratory

Protection:
appropriate respirators for conditions
exceeding the recommended occupational
exposure limits

Contact

EHS&RM (474-5413 or 4746771) for information prior to the use of ANY

respiratory protection equipment

MSDS Information: Section V

22

V.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (cont.)
Ventilation:

The use of some

products may require specific
ventilation requirements
General

Exhaust: A system for

exhausting air containing contaminants
from a general work area. May be
referred to as dilution ventilation

MSDS Information: Section V

23

V.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT (cont.): Ventilation
Local

Exhaust: A system for capturing and

exhausting contaminants from the air at the
point where the contaminants are produced
i.e., capture style hoods for welding, grinding,
sanding and operations or laboratory fume
hoods for working with hazardous chemicals

canopy hood

snorkel hood

fume hood

MSDS Information: Section V

24

VI.

FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

Contains

information regarding the

recommended extinguishing media
to be used in the event of a fire
involving the material

It

may also provide information

regarding unusual fire and explosion
hazards associated with the material

MSDS Information: Section VI

25

VI:

FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

(cont.)

Auto-ignition

Temperature: the
approximate temperature at which a
flammable gas-air mixture will ignite without
spark or flame

Flashpoint:

the lowest temperature at which

a liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite when
a source of ignition is present

MSDS Information: Section VI

26

VI.

FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD

DATA (cont.)

Combustible:

A term used by NFPA,

DOT and OSHA to classify liquids on the
basis of a flash point range of 100 F to
200 F

MSDS Information: Section VI

27

VI.

FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD

DATA (cont.)

Flammable:
Flammable

Liquid is defined by NFPA as a

liquid with a flash point below 100 F
The OSHA definition is essentially
the same
The DOT definition of flammable liquid
means it has a flash point of 141 F or less
The EPA identifies liquids with a flash point of
140 F or less as flammable liquids

MSDS Information: Section VI

28

VI.

FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
Flammable:
Flammable

Solids, other than explosives, are

solids that will ignite readily or are liable to
cause fires under ordinary conditions of
transportation through friction or retained heat
from manufacturing or processing and which
burn so vigorously as to create a serious
transportation hazard (DOT Classification).

MSDS Information: Section VI

29

 VI. FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD

DATA (cont.)

Flammable Limits:
LEL

(Lower Explosive Limit): Lowest fuel-to-air

concentration in which the flammable vapor will produce
a flash of fire when an ignition source is present. At
concentrations below the LEL, the mixture is too "lean" to
burn
UEL (Upper Explosive Limit): Highest fuel-to-air
concentration in which the flammable vapor will produce
a flash of fire when an ignition source is present. At
concentrations above the UEL the mixture is too "rich" to
burn
LEL/UEL concentrations are typically expressed as a lower
and upper percentage range in air

MSDS Information: Section VI

30

 VI. FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

(cont.)
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

MSDS Information: Section VI

31

VII.

REACTIVITY DATA

Includes

information regarding the stability of

the material and any special storage or use
considerations
Information may also be found in Section 3
Handling and Storage.

MSDS Information: Section VII

32

VII.

REACTIVITY DATA (cont.)

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.

MSDS Information: Section VII

33

VII.

REACTIVITY DATA (cont.)

Decomposition

Products: chemical substances

which may be created when the chemical
decomposes or burns

Polymerization:

a chemical reaction in which

smaller molecular constituents combine with
themselves to form larger, long-chain molecular
structures. Rapid polymerization may produce
enough heat to cause containers to explode

MSDS Information: Section VII

34

VIII.

First Aid

Describes

first aid procedures to be taken in the

event of an exposure
Caution

needs to be exercised so that those applying

first aid do not become exposed to the material for
which they are attempting treatment

In

the event of an exposure, call 911 to request

medical assistance

MSDS Information: Section VIII

35

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA
Defines

the medical signs and

symptoms that may be
encountered with normal
exposure or overexposure to
the material or its components

Information

on the toxicity of
the substance may also be
presented

MSDS Information: Section IX

36

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
Acute

Effect: An adverse effect on a human

or animal body resulting from a single exposure
with symptoms developing almost immediately
or shortly after exposure

Chronic

Effect: An adverse effect on a human

or animal body resulting from prolonged or
repeated exposure with symptoms that develop
slowly over a long period of time

MSDS Information by Section IX

37

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
Corrosive:

A liquid or solid that causes visible

destruction or irreversible alterations in human
skin tissue
Irritation: An inflammatory response or reaction
of the eye, skin or respiratory system
Allergic sensitization: A process whereby on
first exposure a substance causes little or no
reaction, but upon repeated exposure may cause
a marked adverse response

MSDS Information: Section IX

38

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
Carcinogen:

A substance or agent capable of

causing or producing cancer in humans or
animals
Mutagen: A substance or agent capable of
altering genetic material in a living organism
Teratogen: A substance or agent to which
exposure to a pregnant female can result in
malformations to the skeleton or soft tissue of the
fetus

MSDS Information: Section IX

39

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
Results

of animal studies are most often given.

LD50 (lethal dose 50): is the dose of a

substance which will cause the death of 50% of
the experimental animals
LC50 (lethal concentration 50): is the
concentration of the substance in air which will
cause the death of 50% of the experimental
animals

MSDS Information: Section IX

40

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
LDLO

(Lethal Dose Low): The lowest dose of

a substance introduced by any route other than
inhalation reported to have caused death in
humans or animals
LCLO (Lethal Concentration Low): The lowest
concentration of a substance in air that has
been reported to have caused death in humans
or animals

MSDS Information: Section IX

41

IX.

TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD

DATA (cont.)
TDLO (Toxic

Dose Low): The lowest dose of a

substance to which humans or animals have
been exposed and reported to produce a toxic
affect other than cancer.

Based

upon LD50, LC50, LDLO, LCLO and TDLO, an

estimate of the potential effects on human
health is obtained.

MSDS Information: Section IX

42

X.

TRANSPORTATION DATA

This

section contains information pertinent to

DOT (Department of Transportation)
regulations governing the transport of
hazardous materials. These regulations can be
found in 49 CFR parts 100 to 177
Please contact EHS&RM (474-5617 or 4746771) if more information is needed or if
shipping hazardous materials

MSDS Information: Section X

43

XI.

SPILL & LEAK PROCEDURES

Outlines general procedures, precautions and

methods for cleanup of spills.
Clean-up procedures for spills and leaks of
hazardous materials are governed by a number of
regulatory agencies.
Do not put yourself or others at risk if you are not
trained or equipped to clean-up a spill. Contact
EHS&RM for assistance or to report a spill.

MSDS Information: Section XI

44

XII.

WASTE DISPOSAL DATA

Contains guidelines for the disposal of the

product or product container if it becomes a
waste.
Hazardous waste is regulated by the EPA,
(Environmental Protection Agency) under RCRA
(Resource Conservation Recovery Act)
regulations found in 40 CFR parts 260-272.
Provisions for civil and criminal penalties for the
improper storage and disposal of hazardous waste
are included in these regulations.

MSDS Information: Section XII

45

XIII.

ADDITIONAL REGULATORY
INFORMATION
Contains information relevant to compliance
with other Federal or state laws such as TSCA
(Toxic Substances Control Act), FIFRA (Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act) and
others.

MSDS Information: Section XIII

46

XIV.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This section, if present, will contain

additional information regarding the
product, which was not indicated in
previous sections.

MSDS Information: Section XIV

47

 XIV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This section, if present, will contain
additional information regarding the
product, which was not indicated in
previous sections.

XV. MAJOR REFERENCES

Lists some of the major references that
have been consulted in preparation of
the MSDS.

MSDS Information: Sections XIV & XV

48

Where to go for more information?

http://www.uaf.edu/safety/laboratory-safety/material-safety-data-shee/

Understanding Material Safety Data

Sheets
49