Environment, Health and Safety

Appendix H - How To Understand SDSs

Appendix H - How To Understand SDSs

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are critical documents that provide comprehensive information about chemical hazards and safe handling procedures. Chemical manufacturers and suppliers are required by OSHA to provide these standardized 16-section documents for hazardous chemicals. Understanding how to read an SDS is essential for workplace safety and regulatory compliance. 

SECTION 1 - IDENTIFICATION

This section gives the name and address of the manufacturer and an emergency phone number where questions about toxicity and chemical hazards can be directed. Large chemical manufacturers have 24-hour hotlines manned by chemical safety professionals who can answer questions regarding spills, leaks, chemical exposure, fire hazard, etc.

Other information that may be contained in Section I includes:

  • Product Identifiers
  • Identified uses of the substance or any restrictions on use
  • Details including name, address, and a telephone number of the chemical manufacturer
  • Emergency telephone number

Trade Name: This is the manufacturer's name for the product.

Chemical Name and Synonyms: This refers to the generic or standard names for the chemical.

Chemical Family: This classification allows one to group the substance along with a class of similar substances, such as mineral dusts, acids, caustics, etc. The potential hazards of a substance can sometimes be gauged by experience with other chemicals of that hazard class.  

SECTION 2 - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

This section warns of the risks associated with a particular chemical.  Hazard symbols are provided as graphical representations, pictograms, or the name of the symbol, e.g., flame, skull and crossbones. 

Section II information includes:

  • Classification of the substance or mixture
  • GHS Label elements, signal words, hazard statements, symbols, and precautionary statements
  • Physical, health, and environmental hazards
  • Description of hazards not otherwise classified (HNOC) or not covered by GHS

SECTION 3 - COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

This section identifies the exact ingredients that are found in the product of the SDS.  Section three provides information on all substances and mixtures.  It is possible to represent concentration as a percentage range due to batch-to-batch variation, a group of substantially similar mixtures, or if there is a trade secret claim. 

The following must be listed for all substances found in the chemical or chemical mixture:

  • Chemical Name
  • Common name/synonyms
  • Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number
  • Impurities and stabilizing additives
    • Impurities and stabilizing agents have their own classifications and contribute to the overall classification of the chemical substance
  • The concentration (percentage) of each ingredient 

SECTION 4 - FIRST AID MEASURES

This section describes in detail the initial care that should be given to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical.

  • Response to chemical exposures if:
    • Inhaled
    • Contact with Skin
    • Contact with Eyes
    • Swallowed
  • Symptoms upon acute and delayed exposure
  • Indication of immediate medical attention or any special treatment needed

SECTION 5 - FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

This section describes the firefighting response in case of fire caused by the chemical.  This section gives information which is important for preventing and extinguishing fires and explosions. If a fire does occur, this information should be made available to fire fighters.

  • Appropriate/not appropriate extinguishing media, e.g., class of fire extinguisher
  • Special protective equipment/precautions for firefighters
  • Specific hazards that can develop from the chemical during a fire (nature of any hazardous combustion products)
  • Flash Point °F
  • Autoignition Temperature °F
  • Lower and Upper flammable limits in air (% by volume)

Flash Point: Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite when a source of ignition is present. A fire or explosion hazard may exist if the substance is at or above this temperature and used in the presence of spark or flame.

Autoignition Temperature: The minimum temperature the substance ignites in normal atmospheric conditions without an external source of ignition. 

Flammable Limits: In order to be flammable, a substance must be mixed with a certain amount of air (as in an automobile carburetor). A mixture that is too "lean" (not enough chemical) or too "rich" (not enough air) will not ignite. The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) define the range of concentration in which combustion can occur. The wider the range between the LEL and UEL, the more flammable the substance is.

SECTION 6 - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

This section includes response information if a chemical is spilled, leaked, or otherwise released. This section can provide specific information about how to clean up a spill and how the chemical should be properly disposed. 

Information provided includes:

  • Personal precautions and protective equipment for cleanup
  • Environmental precautions
  • Emergency procedures
  • Methods and materials for spill containment and clean up 
  • Waste disposal

SECTION 7 - HANDLING AND STORAGE

This section gives information for any special precautions that needs to be taken when handling this chemical including ventilation requirements, conditions to avoid when handling, and what personal protective equipment should be worn, as well as conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities. 

Section VII information provided includes:

  • Ventilation
  • Local exhaust
  • Necessary personal protective equipment/ face protection
  • Other protective clothing or equipment

Some of the precautions presented are intended for large-scale users and may not be necessary for use with small quantities of the chemical. Any questions about precautions or health effects should be referred to EHS at 607-255-8200.

SECTION 8 - EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION

This section describes the exposure limits of the chemical as well as specific personal protective equipment that should be worn when handing the chemical to prevent exposure. Most chemicals are safe in normal use and the vast majority of workers never suffer toxic effects. However, any chemical can be toxic in high concentrations, and the precautions outlined in the SDS should be followed. 

Section VIII lists Threshold Limit Values for the different chemicals that are present. Threshold Limit values (TLVs) are values for airborne toxic materials that are used as guides in the control of health hazards. They represent concentrations to which nearly all workers (workers without special sensitivities) can be exposed to for long periods of time without harmful effect. TLVs are usually expressed as parts per million (ppm), the parts of gas or vapor in each million parts of air. TLV's are also expressed as mg/m³, the milligrams of dust or vapor per cubic meter of air.  

  • American Conference of Governmental Industial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
  • OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL)
  • Any other exposure limit recommended by chemical manufacturer
  • Appropriate engineering controls
  • Specific personal protection measures and equipment
    • Eye/face protection
    • Skin/body protection
    • Respiratory protection
    • Hygiene measures

SECTION 9 - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

This section gives information about the physical characteristics of the chemical. This information can be very useful in determining how a chemical will behave in a spill situation or a fire, and what appropriate steps should be taken.

Information provided includes:

  • Appearance (physical state, color, etc.)
  • Odor and odor threshold
  • pH
  • Melting point freezing point
  • Initial boiling point and boiling range
  • Flash point
  • Evaporation rate
  • Flammability (solid, gas)
  • Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
  • Vapor pressure
  • Vapor density
  • Relative density
  • Solubility
  • Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water
  • Auto-ignition temperature
  • Decomposition temperature
  • Viscosity

Vapor Pressure: Vapor pressure (VP) can be used as a measure of how volatile a substance is…how quickly it evaporates. VP is measured in units of millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). For comparison, the VP of water (at 20° Centigrade) is 17.5 mm Hg. The VP of Vaseline (a nonvolatile substance) would be close to zero mm Hg, while the VP of diethyl ether (a very volatile substance) is 440 mm Hg.

Vapor Density: Vapor density describes whether the vapor is lighter or heavier than air. The density of air is 1.0. A density greater than 1.0 indicates a heavier vapor, a density less than 1.0 indicates a lighter vapor. Vapors heavier than air (gasoline vapor for instance) can flow along just above the ground and can collect in depressions where they may pose a fire and explosion hazard.

Specific Gravity: Specific gravity describes whether the liquid is lighter or heavier than water. Water has a specific gravity of 1.0.

SECTION 10 - STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

This section gives information on the reactivity of the chemical – with other chemicals, air, or water which is important when responding to a spill or fire. Chemical substances may be not only hazardous by themselves but may be hazardous when they decompose (break down into other substances) or when they react with other chemicals.

Information provided includes:

  • Reactivity
  • Chemical stability
  • Possibility of hazardous reactions
  • Conditions to avoid (e.g., static discharge, shock, heating, vibration)
  • Incompatible materials (materials to avoid)
  • Hazardous decomposition products
  • Hazardous Polymerization

Stability: Unstable indicates that a chemical can decompose spontaneously under normal temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks. Rapid decomposition may be hazardous because it produces heat and may cause a fire or explosion. Stable compounds do not decompose under normal conditions.

Incompatibility: Certain chemicals should never be mixed because the mixture creates hazardous conditions. Incompatible chemicals should not be stored together where an accident could cause them to mix.

Hazardous Decomposition Products: Other chemical substances may be created when a chemical burns or decomposes.

Hazardous Polymerization: Some chemicals can undergo a type of chemical reaction (rapid polymerization) which may produce enough heat to cause containers to explode. Conditions to avoid are listed in this section.

SECTION 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

This section contains information on the toxicity of the substance. The data most often presented are the results of animal experiments. For example, "LD50 (mouse) = 250 mg/kg." The usual measure of toxicity is dose level expressed as weight of chemical per unit body weight of the animal-usually milligrams of chemical per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg). The LD50 describes the amount of chemical ingested or absorbed by the skin in test animals that causes death in 50% of test animals used during a toxicity test study. Another common term is LC50, which describes the amount of chemical inhaled by test animals that causes death in 50% of test animals used during a toxicity test study. The LD50 and LC50 values are then used to infer what dose is required to show a toxic effect on humans.

As a general rule of thumb, the lower the LD50 or LC50 number, the more toxic the chemical. Note there are other factors (concentration of the chemical, frequency of exposure, etc.) that contribute to the toxicity of a chemical, including other hazards the chemical may possess.

This section may also distinguish the effects of acute and chronic exposure. Acute toxicity is generally thought of as a single, short-term exposure where effects appear immediately, and the effects are often reversible. Chronic toxicity is generally thought of as frequent exposures where effects may be delayed (even for years), and the effects are generally irreversible. Chronic toxicity can also result in acute exposures, with long term chronic effects.

Section XI provides information on the following:

  • Routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestions, skin, and eye contact)
  • Numerical measures of toxicity (LD50 values)
  • Symptoms related to the physical, chemical, and toxicological characteristics
  • Delayed and immediate effects 
  • Acute exposure effects
  • Chronic effects from short- and long-term exposure
  • Carcinogenic effects (if the chemical is listed in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Report on Carcinogens or is potential carcinogen in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs)

SECTION 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

This section of the SDS evaluates the environmental impact if the chemical was released into the environment.  Possible studies provided in this section include ozone layer depletion and groundwater absorption studies. 

Within this section, the provided information includes:

  • Ecotoxicity (aquatic and terrestrial)
  • Persistence and degradability
  • Bioaccumulative potential
  • Mobility in soil
  • Other adverse effects (hazardous to ozone layer)

OSHA requires Safety Data Sheets to contain sections 12-15 in regard to GHS guidelines but does not enforce the content within these sections.  The content is enforced and governed by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

SECTION 13 - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

A description of how to safely dispose, recycle, or reclaim the chemical and/or its contaminated container are found in Section 13 of the SDS. 

OSHA requires Safety Data Sheets to contain sections 12-15 in regard to GHS guidelines but does not enforce the content within these sections.  The content is enforced and governed by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

SECTION 14 - TRANSPORT INFORMATION

This section provides information on transportation of a hazardous chemical/material by road, air, rail, or sea. 

The following information is provided in Section XIV: 

  • UN Number
  • UN shipping name
  • Transport hazard classes
  • Packing group
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Transport in bulk (according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code)
  • Special precautions in connections with transport or conveyance either inside or outside their premises

OSHA requires Safety Data Sheets to contain sections 12-15 in regard to GHS guidelines but does not enforce the content within these sections.  The content is enforced and governed by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

SECTION 15 - REGULATORY INFORMATION

Information on safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the chemical are found in this section. 

OSHA requires Safety Data Sheets to contain sections 12-15 in regard to GHS guidelines but does not enforce the content within these sections.  The content is enforced and governed by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

SECTION 16 - OTHER INFORMATION

The last section of the SDS includes the information on who prepared the SDS as well as the creation date, revision dates, and a summary of revisions made to the SDS. This section describes other precautionary measures that may need to be taken. 

 

Some of the precautions presented are intended for large-scale users and may not be necessary for use with small quantities of the chemical. Any questions about precautions or health effects should be referred to EHS at 607-255-8200.