Module 1 Lesson 4 - Read

Read: Chemicals in the Lab

Overview

A chemical is a substance or any mixture of substances. When working in a laboratory, individuals work with a variety of chemicals that each have their own properties and hazards. The chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer provides safety data sheets (SDSs), formerly MSDSs (material safety data sheets), for each hazardous chemical. The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical and the various hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical. This information is split up into 16 sections as described below.

SDS Section 1: Identification

This section identifies the chemical on the SDS as well as its recommended uses. It also provides the contact information of the supplier.

SDS Section 2: Hazard(s) Identification

Section 2 describes the hazards of the chemical and the appropriate warning information associated with those hazards. The required information includes:

• The hazard classification (e.g., flammable liquid)
• Hazard statement(s) and Globally Harmonized System (GHS) pictograms
• For a mixture that contains an ingredient with unknown toxicity, a statement describing how much (percentage) of the mixture consists of ingredients with unknown toxicity

SDS Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients

This section lists the ingredient(s) contained in the product, including impurities and stabilizing additives. The required information includes:

• Chemical name
• Common name and synonyms
• Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number and other unique identifiers
• Impurities and stabilizing additives

SDS Section 4: First-Aid Measures

Section 4 addresses the initial care that should be given to an individual who has been exposed to the chemical. The required information consists of:

• Necessary first-aid instructions, depending on the route of exposure (inhalation, skin and eye contact, or ingestion)
• Description of symptoms and any symptoms that are acute or delayed
• Recommendations for immediate medical care or special treatment

SDS Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

This section provides recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical. This includes:

• Recommendations of suitable and unsuitable extinguishing equipment
• Advice on specific hazards that develop from the chemical during the fire, such as any hazardous combustion products created when the chemical burns
• Recommendations on special protective equipment or precautions for firefighters

SDS Section 6: Accidental Release Measures

This section details the appropriate response for spills, leaks, or releases, including containment and clean up practices. This includes recommendations for:

• Personal precautions (such as removal of ignition sources or providing sufficient ventilation) and protective equipment to prevent the contamination of skin, eyes, and clothing
• Emergency procedures, including instructions for evacuations, consulting experts when needed, and appropriate protective clothing
• Methods and materials used for containment 
• Clean up procedures (e.g., appropriate techniques for neutralization or decontamination)

SDS Section 7: Handling and Storage

Section 7 addresses the handling practices and conditions for safe storage of the specific chemical. The required information consists of:

• Precautions for safe handling to minimize the release of the chemical into the environment, and advice on general hygiene practices (e.g., prohibiting eating and drinking in work areas)
• Recommendations on the conditions for safe storage and any chemical incompatibilities

SDS Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

This section indicates the exposure limits, engineering controls, and personal protective measures that can be used to minimize worker exposure. The required information includes:

• OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs) and any other recommended exposure limits
• Appropriate engineering controls (e.g., use local exhaust ventilation such as a fume hood)
• Recommendations for personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., appropriate types of eye, face, skin, or respiratory protection based on hazards and potential exposure)

SDS Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties

This section covers the physical and chemical properties including, but not limited to:

• Appearance (physical state, color, etc.)
• Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits
• Odor
• pH
• Melting point/freezing point/boiling point
• Solubility
• Flash point

The SDS may not contain every item on the above list because the information may not be relevant or available. Manufacturers may also add other relevant properties.

SDS Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

This section describes the reactivity hazards of the chemical and its stability information. This section is broken into three parts: reactivity, chemical stability, and other.

• Reactivity
  • Description of the reactivity test results for the chemical(s)
• Chemical Stability
  • Indication of whether the chemical is stable or unstable under room temperature and conditions while in storage and being handled
  • Description of any stabilizers that may be needed to maintain chemical stability
• Other
  • Possible hazardous reactions and a description of the conditions under which such reactions may occur
  • List of all conditions that should be avoided (e.g., static discharge, shock, or environmental conditions that may lead to hazardous conditions)
  • List of all classes of incompatible materials with which the chemical could react and produce a hazardous situation

SDS Section 11: Toxicological Information

This section addresses the toxicological and health effects, or it indicates that such data is not available. This includes:

• Information on the likely routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact) 
• Description of the delayed, immediate, or chronic effects from short and long term exposure
• Description of symptoms
• Indication of whether the chemical has been found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen

SDS Sections 12-16: Non-Mandatory Sections

• Section 12: Ecological Information: This section provides information on the environmental impact of the chemical if it were released into the environment. 
• Section 13: Disposal Considerations: This section is similar to Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) as it provides guidance on proper disposal practices, recycling, or reclamation of the chemical or its container, and safe handling practices. 
• SDS Section 14: Transport Information: This section provides guidance on classification information for shipping and transporting hazardous chemicals by road, air, rail, or sea.
• SDS Section 15: Regulatory Information: This section identifies the safety, health, and environmental regulations specific for the product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS.
• Section 16: Other Information: This section indicates when the SDS was prepared or when the last known revision was made. Other useful information also may be included here.

 

 

Expand: National Fire Protection Association Label

Discover

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed an identification system that provides quick hazard information and is now widely used throughout workplaces and laboratories. NFPA diamonds are placed on products, doors, tanks, storage containers, and other areas to identify the hazards of a material and the degree of severity of the health, flammability, and instability hazards. The hazard severity is indicated by a numerical rating that ranges from zero, indicating a minimal hazard, to four, indicating a severe hazard. Symbol hazard warnings are also found on the diamond and provide basic information in determining what precautionary measures to use when handling hazardous chemical substances and/or dealing with a fire. The NFPA diamond with these four hazard labels is referred to as an NFPA label as seen below:

Reading the NFPA Label

Always read the labels on chemical bottles for safety precautions before using them in the lab. Each quadrant of the diamond represents a specific hazard, and within each section, the hazard severity is displayed, allowing the chemical user to understand the hazards of the chemical within the container quickly and easily.

• Blue - Health Hazard
  • 4 - Deadly
  • 3 - Extreme Danger
  • 2 - Hazardous
  • 1 - Slightly Hazardous
  • 0 - Normal Material
• Red - Flammability
  • 4 - Flash Point Below 73ºF
  • 3 - Flash Point Below 100ºF
  • 2 - Flash Point Above 100ºF (Not exceeding 200ºF)
  • 1 - Flash Point Above 200ºF
  • 0 - Will Not Burn
• Yellow - Reactivity
  • 4 - May Detonate
  • 3 - Shack and Heat May Detonate
  • 2 - Violent Chemical Change
  • 1 - Unstable if Heated
  • 0 - Stable
• White - Specific Hazard (Symbol Hazard Warnings)
  • OX - Oxidizer
  • W - Use No Water
  • COR - Corrosive
  • ALK - Alkali
  • ACID - Acid
  •  - Radioactive

Labeling New Containers and Mixtures

Sometimes it is necessary to prepare new solutions or to store existing chemicals in a new container without the standard NFPA label. Any container holding chemicals must have a new label made that includes:

• Name of the chemical printed clearly
• Date in the lower left hand corner
• Initials of the person who prepared the bottle in the lower right hand corner

This handwritten label prevents confusion as to what is in various beakers, tubes, and containers in the lab, leading to safer laboratory procedures.

 

Module 1 Lesson 4 of 9