Reading a Material Safety Data Sheet

The Material Safety Data Sheet, or MSDS, is written information that can help protect you from overexposure to chemicals and materials we use in the Design Studio. 

Each chemical supplier or manufacturer can design its own MSDS form, and the sections may be in different order. But, the basic kinds of information on any MSDS will be the same.

Material Safety Data Sheets include the following information:

1. Chemical Name 

   1. Lists the identity of the substance (the name on the label), any trade names,  the date the MSDS was prepared, the name and address of the manufacturer, and usually a phone number for emergencies and more information.

2. Hazardous Ingredients/Chemical Identity

   1. Includes names of substances in the chemical that might be dangerous, and safe exposure limits such as Permissible Exposure Limit or PEL (set by OSHA) or the Threshold Limit Value or TLV. 

   2. Also lists common names for the chemical.

3. Physical Characteristics

   1. Describes many physical qualities of the chemical, and lets you know what's usual or safe. For example:

      1. how the chemical looks and smells; 

      2. boiling and melting temperatures (important in case a chemical might become a gas you could breathe); 

      3. evaporation rate (known as percent volatile); 

      4. how easily the chemical dissolves; 

      5. how heavy it is (this tells you if it will sink, float, or dissolve in water.)

4. Fire and Explosion Data

   1. Tells you at what temperature a liquid gives off enough flammable vapor to ignite (flash point). Lets you know if the chemical is flammable (catches fire below 100 degrees F) or combustible (catches fire above 100 degrees F). 

   2. Lists extinguishing media-what will put out the fire safety, such as water, dry chemical, carbon dioxide and halon.

5. Reactivity

   1. Describes what happens if this chemical comes in contact with air, water, or other chemicals. Describes conditions (like heat) or materials (like water) that can cause the chemical to react violently due to the instability or incompatibility to common substances or circumstances. 

      1. "Incompatibility" refers to materials that may cause the chemical to burn, explode, or release dangerous gases when mixed. 

      2. "Instability" refers to the environmental conditions such as heat or direct sunlight that may cause a dangerous reaction.

6. Health Hazards

   1. Lists ways the chemical might enter your body, like splashing on your skin or being inhaled as vapor as well as possible symptoms of overexposure such as a skin rash, burn, headache, or dizziness. 

   2. Lets you know if overexposure might make existing medical conditions worse, and describes first aid and emergency procedures.

7. Usage, Handling, And Storage

   1. Describes how to clean up an accidental spill, leak, or release, including special procedures. 

   2. Tells you how to handle, store and dispose of chemicals safely. Remember, if there is an accident, notify your teacher immediately.

8. Special Protection And Precautions

   1. Explains the kind of hand, body, eye, and respiratory protection (Personal Protective Equipment) to use when working with the chemical. 

   2. Special procedures, extra health or safety information, signs that should be posted, and other information not covered in other sections of the MSDS.