MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDSs)
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are a reliable source of the data needed for the safe handling of chemicals. They may seem complicated and difficult to understand, but you should become familiar with the various sections of the MSDS and be able to find the appropriate safety information within them.
The MSDS will contain the following information:
Product Identification: The name of the substance and the manufacturer.
Hazardous Ingredients in Mixtures: If a product is a mixture, all ingredients in concentrations greater than 1% or contributing to its hazardous nature will be listed.
Physical Data: This section outlines the physical data of the substance. It will include information such as melting point, boiling point, vapor pressure.
Fire and Explosion Hazard Data: This section includes information regarding the flammability of the material and information for fighting fires involving the material. It includes the flashpoint of liquids, appropriate extinguishing agents, and fire/explosion data.
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. Emergency and first aid procedures are presented as well.
Reactivity Data: This section includes information regarding the stability of the material and any special storage or use considerations. Incompatability issues and a discussion of any hazardous products will be found in this section.
Spill, leak and disposal information
Exposure Control and Personnel Protection Information: This section provides information on the maximum permitted concentration of the material in the environment and information on suitable types of personnel protective equipment to minimize your exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Keep in mind that you will be using only very small quantities of most chemicals and that much of the safety information applies only to large or pure quantities of the chemical. For example, the MSDS for caffeine indicates that it is a hazardous material. You might think about that the next time you pull an all-nighter.