MSDS Information

The following sections are required on all material safety data sheets:

Chemical Product Information
Composition on Ingredients
Hazardous Identification Information
First Aid Measures
Fire Fighting Measures
Accidental Release Measures
Handling & Storage Measures
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Physical and Chemical Properties
Stability and Reactivity Information
Toxicology Information
Ecological Information
Disposal Considerations
Transport Information
Regulatory Information
Other Information

Chemical Product Information

This section provides the name, address, and telephone number of the company that produced the material, the MSDS's date of issue, and the name of the material. The name of the material on the MSDS must be spelled exactly as it is on the container you received. In addition, you will find the following information:

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 (CAS)

Composition on Ingredients

This section lists the product's individual hazardous chemicals and their relative percentages. The material's corresponding CAS No.(s) must also be listed. All ingredients that meet the OSHA Hazard Communication standard criteria of a hazardous ingredient must be identified here.

Manufacturers may also choose to list active ingredients, significant ingredients regulated under other Federal, state, or local regulations, or a complete ingredient disclosure, including non-hazardous components. Complex mixtures recognized as single substances may be listed as single components. If any of the hazardous components is a trade secret, this will be indicated in lieu of identifying the component. Suppliers of such products must still provide health hazard data on the MSDS and additional information to safety professionals who have a documentable need to know.

Hazardous Identification Information

This section is divided into two parts. The first part describes the material's appearance and gives an overview of the most significant immediate concerns for emergency personnel.

The second part provides information on the potential adverse health effects and symptoms associated with exposure to the material, its components, or known by-products. In addition, this section lists all of the routes of entry pertinent to this material. Acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects, symptoms of exposure, and medical conditions aggravated by exposure must be stated. If the material is carcinogenic, that fact must be stated.

First Aid Measures

This section describes medical and first aid treatments for accidental exposure by route of exposure (i.e. inhalation, skin, eye, ingestion). Any known antidotes that may be administered by a lay person or specially trained personnel will be indicated here.

Fire Fighting Measures

This section provides basic fire fighting guidance for trained fire fighters, emergency responders, employees, and occupational health and safety professionals. It describes the fire and explosive properties of the material, the proper extinguishing materials, and the precautions and procedures to safely and effectively fight the fire.

Accidental Release Measures

This section provides spill, leak, and response procedures for emergency responders and environmental professionals. It describes evacuation procedures, and other emergency advice to protect the health and safety of the responders as well as the environment.

Handling and Storage Information

This section provides safe handling and storage information for employees, occupational health and safety professionals, and employers. General handling precautions and practices are described to prevent release to the environment and overexposure during contact with the material, and also to minimize continued contact after handling.

In addition, this section explains necessary storage conditions to avoid damage to containers, contact with incompatible materials and subsequent dangerous reactions, evaporation or decomposition of the stored material, or flammable and explosive atmospheres in the storage area.

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

This section discusses methods intended for occupational health and safety professionals and employers for reducing worker exposure to hazardous materials. Exposure controls include engineering controls such as ventilation and special process conditions (e.g. isolation, enclosure), or administrative controls (e.g. training, labeling, warning devices). This section also provides guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators, safety glasses, goggles, gloves, aprons, and boots.

Physical and Chemical Properties

This section lists physical data, including a material's boiling point, solubility in water, viscosity, specific gravity, melting point, evaporation rate, molecular weight, etc., and appearance and odor. These properties can help in predicting how the material will act and react so that you can determine safe handling procedures and select appropriate personal protective equipment.

Stability and Reactivity Information

This section lists materials and circumstances that could be hazardous when combined with the material covered by the MSDS. This section provides information on chemical incompatibilities, conditions to avoid, decomposition products, and the material's stability.

Toxicology Information

This section provides information on toxicity testing of the material and/or its components. The information in this section is intended for medical professionals, occupational health and safety professionals, and toxicologists.

Ecological Information

This section assists you in evaluating the effect a chemical may have if it's released to the environment. It may also be useful in evaluating waste treatment practices.

Disposal Considerations

This section provides proper disposal information for environmental professionals or individuals responsible for waste management activities. Information may include special disposal methods or limitations per Federal, state, or local regulations, and waste management options, such as recycling or reclamation. It may also include RCRA waste classifications and EPA waste identification numbers and descriptions.

Transport Information

This section provides shipping classification information for the employer, distributor, emergency responders, and transport/shipping departments. If regulated, shipping information includes U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous materials description/proper shipping name, hazard class, and identification numbers (UN or NA numbers).

Regulatory Information

This section provides regulatory information for employers and regulatory compliance personnel. U.S. Federal regulations such as OSHA, TSCA, SARA, CERCLA, and CWA are addressed. Reportable quantities (RQ) for spills or discharges and threshold planning quantities (TPQ) for hazardous materials stored at facilities are listed.

Other Information

This section provides a location for additional information, such as a list of references, keys/legends, or preparation and revision indicators. Hazard ratings defining the acute health, flammability, and reactivity hazards of a material may also be included.