Understanding the material safety data sheet.

This fact sheet describes what the Material Safety Data Sheet is, how it is to be used, and covers the sections of the MSDS. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a technical bulletin that provides workers and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling or working with that substance. The MSDS includes information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures. The MSDS supplements the information provided on the container’s label (see Pesticide Fact Sheet The Pesticide Label). Remember that if a chemical accident occurs, do not rely solely on the MSDS. Additional information from pesticide labels and labeling about the chemicals involved in an accident may be critical to a safe response.