INTERPRETING MSDS INFORMATION

How to interpret MSDS information sheets. The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, Oxford, UK (http //ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/interpretingmsds.html). MSDS of peracetic acid. The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, Oxford, UK (http //ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/PE/peroxyacetic acid.html). 

How to interpret MSDS information sheets, The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, Oxford, UK (http //ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/interpretingmsds.html). 

Interpreting MSDS Information Provides an overview of the various parts of a typical MSDS and provides suggestions to help you And important information about the hazards of a chemical. 

In addition to labels and MSDS, appropriate training for target audiences who are required to interpret label and/or MSDS information and take corresponding precautionary measures is a component of many hazard communication systems. Training is usually keyed to the nature of the work or exposure and the target audiences that may include workers, emergency responders, those involved in label and MSDS preparation, and in the transport of hazardous chemicals. 

A Material Safety Data Sheet file wiU be maintained for aU chemicals purchased for use in the laboratory. The file wUl be accessible to the employees in the laboratory. This requirement may be met by computer access to a centraUy managed MSDS database. AU laboratory workers shaU be trained in how to interpret the information in an MSDS. 

A Material Safety Data Sheet file will be maintained for aU chemicals purchased for use in the laboratory. This requirement may be met by computer access to a centrally managed MSDS data base. In some cases, such as experimental compormds being tested, they are not available. Any information provided by the manufacturer will be kept in such cases. In some instances, such as experimental compormds beingtested, these datamay not be available. Where equivalent data exist in whole or in part, this information wUl be made part of the MSDS file. The supplementary MSDS file will be accessible to the employees in the laboratory at aU times. All laboratory workers shall be trained in how to interpret the information in an MSDS. 

MSD provides molecular weight, fragmentation information and mass selectivity. Also, simultaneous GC-MS/MIP-AES has been described, using both a low-pressure and an atmospheric-pressure splitter [336]. The combination of MS and AED data sets provides the potential for application to a wide range of analytical problems, such as screening for the presence of hetero-atom-containing analytes (AED), identification and confirmation (MS) and quantification (MS, AED). On-line LVI-GC-AED/MS (dual detection) has been described with small (i.e. less than 0.5 s) differences in retention time of a compound with AED and MS detection [67], The dual-hyphenation set-up largely eliminates data-interpretation problems caused by small differences in retention time, or retention indices and is,... 

With increasing time-lag, however, the uncertainty of the MSD values increases. When the calculated time-lag becomes a substantial fraction of the total points of the trajectory, there are not enough pairs of data points for an accurate calculation of the MSD as shown by the formulas for the standard deviation [36], To account for this uncertainty, the MSD should always be calculated for time-lags corresponding to only about one quarter of the total number of points in the trajectory [35]. So, for example, in a trajectory with 800 data points, the MSD is calculated only for time-lags spanning a maximum of 200 points. As a consequence, the time-axis of an MSD plot can only represent a fraction of the time scale of the trajectory. From evaluation of the MSD plot, information about the mode of motion can be obtained (Fig. 2c). This mode of motion can then be interpreted in a biological context and conclusions on the location and environment of the tracked particle can be drawn. 

Also recommended to be included in the MSDS are engineering controls, work practices, personnel protection equipment, and emergency and first aid procedures. Blank spaces on existing MSDS will be considered to indicate that information was sought but not found. It is the chemical manufacturer s responsibility to ensure that this interpretation is accurate. 

The written program must define how the employees are to be informed of the requirements of the standard. This will include details of (1) how the employees are to be informed about the contents of the standard (2) the contents of the written plan (3) how they are to meet the labeling requirements (4) how they are to learn of the methods available to them to warn them of exposures (5) how to obtain and interpret a MSDS for a given chemical (6) the hazards associated with the chemicals to which they are exposed (7) how they are to be trained in procedures which will eliminate or reduce these chemical hazards and (8) how they are to react in an emergency. 

Whilst the formal classification of skin-irritation potential in the EU for both substances and preparations should lead to a harmonisation of the information applied to the MSDS, this does not in fact occur. The standard rabbit test is highly variable (Weil and Scala 1971). A key problem is that even well-defined criteria are still open to differences of interpretation. For most of the types/sources of information mentioned above, there are no criteria for their interpretation. How much human clinical data and of what type should be sufficient to categorise a product as an irritant How might in vitro data be interpreted in a meaningful way In practice, the manufacturer has to make an independent judgement on whether the data are sufficient to cause concern about skin irritancy. 

However, the information contained on a MSDS is limited in a variety of ways. First, both the derivation of data and its interpretation vary to a considerable degree. For example, lactic acid has been described as corrosive to skin by some manufacturers, yet left unlabeled (i.e. not regarded as significantly irritant) by another (David Basketter, personal communication). 

When sourcing/developing a chemical inventory management system, you should look for a program that offers Information indexed directly from the MSDS Interpretive storage, transportation and/or waste classifications... 

How the hazard communication program is implemented in the warehouse, how to read and interpret information on labels and the MSDS, and how employees can obtain and use the available hazard information... 

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