How to Read & Interpret a Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS)
Based
on
Product Identification Hazardous
Ingredients and Information
Physical and Chemical
Characteristic Fire and
Explosion Hazard Data
Reactivity Data Health
Hazard Data
Route of Exposure or Entry Effects of
Overexposure
Precautions for Safe
Handling and Use Control
Measures
Product Identification
MSDS Number - A reference number assigned by the manufacturer.
Product
Name - The commercial name of the product.
MSDS
Date - The date of issuance.
24-hour
Emergency Phone Number - A number where a company representative can be
reached at any time for information.
Manufacturer’s
Name and Address - The name and address of the manufacturer.
CAS
Number - Chemical Abstract Service number.
Chemical
Name - List the specific name(s) of this product.
Synonyms/Common
Names - Other names the product could be known by.
Chemical
Formula - Actual chemical make-up of the product.
DOT
Proper Shipping Name - A name assigned by the Department of Transportation
to this product and other similar products for storage and transportation
purposes.
DOT
Hazard Class - The group this chemical fall into determined by its
hazardous properties. i.e., Flammable,
Explosive, etc.
DOT
ID Number - The identification number used by DOT for the chemical
/product.
Hazardous Ingredients and
Information
Hazardous
Components - This section contains information regarding the Exposure
Limits of this product. Exposure limits
are the permissible exposure concentration of the hazardous components of this
manufacturer’s product.
Physical and Chemical
Characteristics
Boiling
Point - The temperature at which a liquid changes to a vapor state.
Vapor Pressure - The pressure exerted by a vapor above a liquid in
a closed container.
Vapor Density - The weight of a vapor or gas compared to the weight
of an equal volume of air.
Solubility
in Water - The percentage of the material that will dissolve in water under
normal conditions.
Specific
Gravity - The weight of a material compared to the weight of an equal
volume of water under normal conditions.
Evaporation
Rate - The rate at which a chemical will evaporate compared to the
evaporation rate of butyl acetate.
Appearance
and Odor - The odor, consistency, physical state at room temperature, and
other physical characteristics described in common terms.
Freezing
(Melting) Point - the highest temperature at which a liquid becomes solid
or a gas becomes a liquid.
%
Volatiles by Weight - The percent of a liquid that will evaporate at 70
degrees Fahrenheit.
ph
- Expresses the acidity or alkalinity of a product. The ph scale runs from 0-14, with 0 being
highly acidic and 14 being highly alkaline.
Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Flashpoint
- The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapor to form
an ignitable mixture with an ignition source present.
Auto
ignition Temperature - the lowest temperature at which a gas or vapor-air
mixture without a spark or flame.
Flammable
Limits - The range of a gas or vapor concentration in air that is needed
for it to ignite and maintain/sustain combustion.
Extinguishing
Media - The appropriate agent to use in extinguishing a fire involving this
product.
Special
Firefighting Procedures - Appropriate equipment and methods to be used in
fire situations.
Unusual
Fire and Explosion Hazards - Special hazards or conditions that may lead to
fire or explosion of this product.
Reactivity Data
Incompatibility - Other chemicals that can cause dangerous or
unwanted reactions if mixed with this product.
Hazardous
Decomposition or Byproducts - A description of chemical changes that can
occur on exposure to heat, change in temperature, aging, etc., and the
hazardous byproducts that could be produced.
Hazardous
Polymerization - Where two or more molecules (monomers) come together to
form a larger molecule (polymer).
Typically, this will result in the release of large amounts of energy.
Health Hazard Data
Health Hazard - The potential health hazards resulting from low,
high, short-term, and long-term exposure to this product.
Routes of Exposure or Entry
Inhalation
- Breathing-in of the substance.
Skin
Contact - Exposure by coming in contact with your skin.
Skin
Absorption - Exposure by contact with the skin and absorbing the product
into your bloodstream.
Eye
Contact - Splashing into or otherwise bringing your eyes in contact with
the products.
Ingestion
- Taking the product by mouth, swallowing.
Effects of Overexposure
Acute
- Immediate, severed, physiological effects of overexposure.
Chronic
- Long-term physiological effects of overexposure.
Carcinogenicity
- The potential of this product to cause cancer. NTP – National Toxicity Program, IARC –
International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Medical
Conditions Aggravated by Exposure - A list of the conditions that can be
worsened or changed by exposure to this product such as emphysema, dermatitis,
asthma, etc.
Emergency
Procedures - Treatment recommendations for immediate use after contact with
this material based on routes of exposure and severity of symptoms.
Precautions for Safety Handling and Use
This section
provides information needed in case of accidents, spills, and leaks of this
product. It gives specific procedures to
follow for clean up and protection of the environment.
This section also
details the proper disposal and storage procedures for this product.
Single word - A
Work used in labeling to warn of the hazardous nature of this product such as
“Danger,” “Poisonous,” “Flammable,” etc.
Statement of
Hazards - A brief description of the hazardous characteristics of this product.
Precautionary
Statements - Comments on specific cautions to be used when working with or
around this product. Specifies dangerous
conditions to avoid.
Control Measures
This section
provides details for specific ventilation requirements for areas where this
product is used or stored.
This section also
gives requirements for specific personal protective equipment to be used by all
personnel when working with this product.
Equipment specifications are based on the hazardous properties of this
product and will include recommendations for respiratory protection, eye
protections, gloves, protective clothing, and work procedures to ensure safe
handling of this product.