Material Safety Data Sheets provide handling and safety information for chemicals. This information is intended for employers and employees whose workplace provides extended or continued contact with the chemical.

Information about household products geared toward the consumer can be found at the National Library of Medicine's Household Products Database (http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm)

For more information about MSDS see: FAQs: MSDS FAQ for USA MSDS FAQ for Canada Definitions of Terms: MSDS HyperGlossary http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/index.html Glossary of Common MSDS Terms http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/hazcom/MANUAL/Hc--a-e.htm MSDS - An Explanation of Common Terms http://ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca/help/msds/msdstermse.html MS-Demystifier http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/demystify.html The MS-Demystifier automatically scans your text or HTML-based MSDS's and inserts appropriate hyperlinks to ILPI's HyperGlossary.

The typical MSDS contains the following information: Identification: tradenames and synonyms, registry numbers, molecular formula and structure, molecular weight, chemical family, and ingredients and/or components. Physical Data: boiling point, melting point, density and/or specific gravity, vapor pressure, solubilities, pH, threshold limits, volatility, viscosity and physical description of the substance. Fire and Explosion: flash point, flammability, explosive limits, autoignition temperature, firefighting procedures/techniques. Toxicity, Health Effects and First Aid: exposure limits, lethal dose, carcenogenic data, effects on the body, antidotes and first aid treatment. Reactivity: stability, incompatibility, decomposition, polymerization. Storage, Disposal and Transportation: procedures, protective equipment, DOT regulations.

Library and Internet Resources for MSDS

1. If the manufacturer of the substance is unknown, try these resources:
   
   
   1. Sigma-Aldrich Library of Regulatory and Safety Data
      T55.3 .H3S54x v.1-3 Science Reference

      Contains regulatory and handling information, physical data and toxicity hazards about pure chemicals sold by the Sigma, Aldrich and Fluka manufacturers.

   2. Where to Find Material Safety Data Sheets on the Internet
      http://www.ilpi.com/msds/index.html

      Maintained by Interactive Learning Paradigms Inc (IPLI)., this site links to over 100 free sites on the Internet that provide MSDS information. Also included is information about MSDS such as "What is an MSDS", MSDS FAQ, a glossary, software and discussion group.
      
      

   3. MSDS Search
      http://www.msdssearch.com/

      To search by substance name, click on the purple "MSDS Search" button on the top, and use the "Product Name" search box.. Provides access to 350,000 MSDS from over 1500 manufacturers, 700,000 MSDS from public access databases, links to MSDS software, service, training and product providers, and Government MSDS information. Also includes information about MSDS such as FAQ and dictionaries.
      
      

2. If the manufacturer is known, try these resources:
   
   
   4. MSDS Search
      http://www.msdssearch.com/

      To search by manufacturer name, click on the purple "MSDS Search" button on the top, and use the "Manufacturer Name" search box.. Provides access to 350,000 MSDS from over 1500 manufacturers, 700,000 MSDS from public access databases, links to MSDS software, service, training and product providers, and Government MSDS information. Also includes information about MSDS such as FAQ and dictionary.

   5. MSDS Provider
      http://www.msdsprovider.net

      Provides free access to manufacturer-direct MSDS. Arranged by company name.

   6. MSDS Xchange
      http://www.msdsxchange.com

      Provides free access to manufacturers' MSDS. Search by company or chemical name.
      
      

   7. Use an Internet search engine such as Google (http://www.google.com) to find the manufacturer's web site.
      

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