Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets August 2012

Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets

University of Alaska FairbanksEnvironmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management

August 2012*

UNDERSTANDING MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETSThe 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)

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UNDERSTANDING MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

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*

MSDS Information by SectionThe 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: Section II. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name: Commercial or marketing nameSynonym: Approved chemical name and/or synonymsChemical Family: Group of chemicals with related physical and chemical propertiesFormula: Chemical formula, if applicable; i.e., the conventional scientific definition for a materialCAS Number: Number assigned to chemicals or materials by the Chemical Abstracts Service. The number is unique to each chemical

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MSDS Information: Section II. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION (CONT.)

Name, address and phone number of the manufacturerDate MSDS was writtenNational Fire Protection Association ratingStorage Color Code

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MSDS Information: Section IIII. COMPONENT DATA (HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS/IDENTITY INFO)

Describes the percent composition of the substance, listing chemicals present in the mixtureIf 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 IIII. 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 IIRegulated 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/m3)Usually a time weighted average (TWA) - concentration averaged over an eight-hour day II. COMPONENT DATA (cont.): OSHA PEL

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MSDS Information: Section IIII. 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 A 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 IIII. COMPONENT DATA (cont.): NIOSH REL & ACGIH TLV

Recommended limitsTLVs also use TWA, STEL, COften limits are lower than OSHAs PELIt is UAFs policy to strive to meet the more conservative standards*

MSDS Information: Section III

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

III. PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING & STORAGE

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MSDS Information: Section IVIV. PHYSICAL DATA

Outlines the physical properties of the material

The information may be used to determine conditions for exposure*

MSDS Information: Section IVIV. PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

The following information is usually included:Boiling Point: temperature at which liquid changes to vapor stateMelting Point: temperature at which a solid begins to change to liquidVapor Pressure: a measure of how volatile a substance is and how quickly it evaporates*

MSDS Information: Section IV IV. PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)Vapor Density (air=1): weight of a gas or vapor compared to weight of an equal volume of airSpecific Gravity (water=1): ratio of volume weight of material to equal volume weight of waterSolubility in Water: percentage of material that will dissolve in water, usually at ambient temperature*

MSDS Information: Section IV IV. PHYSICAL DATA (cont.)

Appearance/Odor: color, physical state at room temperature, size of particles, consistency, odor, as compared to common substancesOdor threshold refers to the concentration required in the air before vapors are detected or recognized

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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

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MSDS Information: Section IV

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 Viscosity: is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flowIV. 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

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MSDS Information: Section V

Includes general information about appropriate personal protective equipment for handling this materialV. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

It is vital that this information be followed

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MSDS Information: Section V 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 V. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (cont.)

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

Contact EHS&RM (474-5413 or 474-6771) for information prior to the use of ANY respiratory protection equipment

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MSDS Information: Section VV. 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 VV. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (cont.): VentilationLocal 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 hoodsnorkel hoodfume hood

MSDS Information: Section VI

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 materialVI. FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

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MSDS Information: Section VIAuto-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 presentVI: FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA (cont.)

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MSDS Information: Section VI 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

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MSDS Information: Section VI 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 liquidsVI. FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA (cont.)*

MSDS Information: Section VI 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 VIVI. 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 VIVI. 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 situationsFire or Explosion Hazards: Hazards and/or conditions which may cause fire or explosions are defined*

MSDS Information: Section VIIVII. REACTIVITY DATA

Includes information regarding the stability of the material and any special storage or use considerationsInformation may also be found in Section 3 Handling and Storage.*

MSDS Information: Section VIIVII. 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 explosionConditions to avoid are listed in this sectionIncompatibility: Certain chemicals, when mixed may create hazardous conditions. Incompatible chemicals should not be stored together. *

MSDS Information: Section VIIVII. 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

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MSDS Information: Section VIIIVIII. 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

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MSDS Information: Section IXDefines 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 presentedIX. TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD DATA

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MSDS Information by Section IXIX. 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

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MSDS Information: Section IXIX. TOXICOLOGY & HEALTH HAZARD DATA (cont.)Corrosive: A liquid or solid that causes visible destruction or irreversible alterations in human skin tissueIrritation: An inflammatory response or reaction of the eye, skin or respiratory systemAllergic sensitization: A process whereby on first exposure a substance causes little or no reaction, but upon repeated exposure may cause a marked adverse response

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MSDS Information: Section IXIX. 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 organismTeratogen: A substance or agent to which exposure to a pregnant female can result in malformations to the skeleton or soft tissue of the fetus

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MSDS Information: Section IXIX. 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*


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 animalsLCLO (Lethal Concentration Low): The lowest concentration of a substance in air that has been reported to have caused death in humans or animals

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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 XThis 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 177Please contact EHS&RM (474-5617 or 474-6771) if more information is needed or if shipping hazardous materials

X. TRANSPORTATION DATA

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MSDS Information: Section XIXI. 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.

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MSDS Information: Section XIIXII. 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 XIIIXIII. 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 XIVXIV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

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MSDS Information: Sections XIV & XV XV. MAJOR REFERENCESLists some of the major references that have been consulted in preparation of the MSDS.

XIV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

http://www.uaf.edu/safety/laboratory-safety/material-safety-data-shee/Understanding Material Safety Data SheetsWhere to go for more information?*

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Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets August 2012