Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): How to Find Information on Hazardous Chemicals

A material safety data sheet (MSDS) lists crucial information about hazardous chemicals that may be used in industrial settings or as residential cleaners. The MSDS is intended for emergency personnel, doctors, and employees who may be handling the harmful chemicals, not necessarily for consumers who are buying the products. However, the Internet has made it easy for concerned consumers to look up the material safety data sheet for almost any product on the market. Reading the these material safety data sheets is a good way to monitor your overall exposure to certain chemicals and ensure that your home is safe for you and your family.

Material safety data sheets: What must be listed

The standards for a MSDS are established by the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA). Currently, manufacturers must list all relevant physical characteristics and health risks relating to the chemicals they produce. The physical characteristics can include boiling point, flash point, melting point, or any other important information that would explain how the chemical will behave in various states. Health details listed on the material safety data sheet include toxicity levels, known medical problems resulting from exposure, and how to administer first aid. Other details that can be found on a MSDS include tips on proper storage, disposal, or cleanup in case of a spill.

Material safety data sheets: Why they are useful

Today's households use numerous chemicals as cleansers or fragrances. While each individual product has been designated as safe for home use, the cumulative effect of their use it not always known. Reading the material safety data sheets gives consumers a way to tally up their total exposure to these chemicals to make sure their home is safe. This can be especially important for people who are sensitive or allergic to certain compounds. Employees who work with hazardous chemicals at work should consult the MSDS to be sure they are not receiving toxic doses of any substance.

Material safety data sheets: How to get one

To obtain the material data safety sheet for any questionable chemicals in your home, look on the Internet first. Chemical companies are not required to post this information online, many of them do choose to because it is the most efficient way to disseminate the information to the interested parties. The MSDS may be listed under the chemical name, not the brand name, so search both names. If you still cannot locate a copy of the material safety data sheet on the Internet, you can usually request one directly from the chemical's manufacturer.