To locate an MSDS for a product you will need to know its name. Alternate names for chemicals are often provided on the MSDS, but there is no standardized naming of substances.
- The chemical name or specific name is used most often to find MSDSs for health effects and protective measures. IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) conventions are used more often than common names. Synonyms are often listed on MSDSs.
- The molecular formula may be used to locate a chemical of known composition.
- You can usually search for substance using its CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) registry number. Different chemicals may have the same name, but each will have its own CAS number.
- Sometimes the easiest way to locate a product is to search by manufacturer.
- Products may be found using their US Defense Department NSN. A National Supply Number is a four-digit FSC class code number plus a nine-digit National Item Identification Number or NIIN.
- A trade name or product name is the brand, commercial, or marketing name the manufacturer gives the product. It does not specify what chemicals are in the product or whether the product is a mixture of chemicals or a single chemical.
- A generic name or chemical family name describes a group of chemicals with related physical and chemical properties. Sometimes an MSDS will list only the generic name of a product, although in most countries laws require that chemical names also be listed.
How do I use an MSDS?
An MSDS might appear to be intimidating and technical, but the information is not intended to be difficult to understand. You might simply scan an MSDS to see if any warnings or hazards are delineated. If the content is difficult to understand there are online MSDS glossaries to help define any unfamiliar words and often contact information for further explanations. Ideally you would read an MSDS before obtaining a product so that you could prepare proper storage and handling. More often, MSDSs are read after a product is purchased. In this case, you can scan the MSDS for any safety precautions, health effects, storage cautions, or disposal instructions. MSDSs often list symptoms that might indicate exposure to the product. An MSDS is an excellent resource to consult when a product has been spilled or a person has been exposed to the product (ingested, inhaled, spilled on skin). The instructions on an MSDS do not replace those of a health care professional, but can be helpful emergency situations. When consulting an MSDS, keep in mind that few substances are pure forms of molecules, so the content of an MSDS will depend on the manufacturer. In other words, two MSDSs for the same chemical may contain different information, depending on the impurities of the substance or the method used in its preparation.
Important Information
Material Safety Data Sheets are not created equal. Theoretically, MSDSs can be written by pretty much anyone (although there is some liability involved), so the information is only as accurate as the author's references and understanding of the data. According to a 1997 study by OSHA "one expert panel review established that only 11% of the MSDSs were found to be accurate in all of the following four areas: health effects, first aid, personal protective equipment, and exposure limits. Further, the health effects data on the MSDSs frequently are incomplete and the chronic data are often incorrect or less complete than the acute data". This doesn't mean that MSDSs are useless, but it does indicate that information needs to be used with caution and that MSDSs should be obtained from trustworthy and reliable sources. The bottom line: Respect the chemicals you use. Know their hazards and plan your response to an emergency before it happens!
Additional Reading
- Safety Links - MSDS History - This is Samuel A. Kaplan's presentation to the American Chemical Society on the Development of Material Safety Data Sheets.
- Material Safety Data Sheets - These are links to collections of MSDSs, including those written in languages other than English.
- The MSDS - A Basic Guide for Users - International Version - This is a guide for non-technical users of international (ANSI) Material Safety Data Sheets.
