How to Read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (3)

Section 7: Prevention

This section tells you if you need to wear special clothing, or use ventilation and filter masks to protect yourself when using the product.

Section 8: First Aid

This section tells you what to do in an accident or emergency situation.

Section 9: Preparation

This section tells you who wrote the MSDS, their address and telephone number, and the date when it was written or last revised. An MSDS is valid for three years after it is produced or last revised.

Additional MSDS Information

There may be additional sections in an MSDS with more information on environmental effects. For example, information may include effects on birds, plants, animals and micro-organisms; recommended disposal and transportation methods; regulatory issues and miscellaneous data.

Other Information Sources for Chemical Ingredients

There are many sources of additional information, including The Canadian Chemical Producers Association, The Canadian Centre For Occupational Health and Safety, industry associations, universities, environmental organizations, federal and provincial ministries, the library and the Internet. As well, there are chemical, health and environmental indexes in the library, on disc or on the Internet

Many databases are now on the Internet. If you do not have home or office access, your local library or educational institution can probably provide access to the Internet for you, even if you do not know how to operate a computer. Some Internet sites may charge a fee for services provided.

Users of MSDS report difficulty in understanding the chemical ingredients. One solution is to look up health information about each hazardous ingredient listed. Search the Internet and refer to websites operated by government agencies or universities. The Agency for Toxic Substances or Disease Registry with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances. Oxford University's Chemical and Other Safety Information is a good reference. Be aware, however, that the information for individual chemicals refers to their pure or concentrated state, whereas, the product may contain these chemicals as minor constituents only.

Based on the information obtained for each chemical, combined with the health hazard data or toxicity information from the product's MSDS, one can get an improved understanding of the nature of the substance one is dealing with.

When it is very important that the user knows as much of the product aspossible, such as to find out ingredients that make up less than 1 per cent, or 0.1 per cent (such as cancer-causing or sensitizing chemicals), or to learn whether the product has perfumes or other substances, phone the manufacturer and ask to speak with the chemist or technical resource person.

A useful reference for consumer products is the National Institute of Health's Household Products Database which has compiled the potential health effects of brand name products from the manufacturers' MSDS and the individual product labels.

Resources

The following are typical examples of chemical and chemical effects resources. Some only list websites since information from these resources is primarily available through the Internet.

Art and Craft Material Institute
1280 Main St.
P.O. Box 479
Hanson, MA 02341
Phone: (781) 293-4100
Fax: (781) 294-0808

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Phone: 1 800 263-8466,
or (905) 570-8094
Fax: (905) 572-2206
E-mail: custserv@ccohs.ca
Canadian Chemical Producers

Hotline Phone: 1 800 267-6666

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)

Chemport

EPA,Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (703) 356-4020
Fax: (703) 356-5386
E-mail: iaqinfo@aol.com

Health Canada
Ottawa
Ontario
Phone: (613) 954-5995
Fax: (613) 952-7266
The Industrial Accident Prevention Association
Toronto
Ontario
Phone: (416) 506-8888

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (202) 523-5181

Stanford University Chemical Safety
University of Akron Abstract Service

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C.
Phone: (301) 585-9029
Fax: (301) 588-3408