Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): Rx Update: Virtual Hospital

Rx Update: January 2004

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Joan Murhammer, R.Ph., Mary Ross, R.Ph., M.B.A., Kevin Bebout, R.Ph.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed

Material safety data sheets (MSDS) are documents that contain detailed information to provide workers with the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. They are meant for employees who may be occupationally exposed to a hazard at work and who need to know the proper methods of storage, etc. MSDS are of particular use if a spill or other accident occurs. All chemical manufacturers are required to develop a MSDS for all chemicals they distribute and provide these sheets upon request.

MSDS contain specific sections that detail the properties of the hazardous chemical/drug. These include:

Section I

Manufacturer's Identification and Chemical Name
Chemical and trade name, manufacturer's name, address, and contact information

Section II

Hazardous Ingredients
List of hazardous ingredients, their percent composition, describes the nature of the hazard (e.g., irritant), and lists significant animal studies which determine toxicity.

Section III

Physical/Chemical Characteristics
Physical and chemical characteristic such as boiling point, specific gravity, melting point, vapor pressure, solubility in water, appearance and odor

Section IV

Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
Flash point, flammable limits, extinguishing media, special fire fighting procedures unusual fire and explosion hazards

Section V

Reactivity Data
Stability, conditions to avoid, material to avoid, hazardous decomposition products, hazardous polymerization

Section VI

Health Hazard Data
Threshold limit value, permissible exposure limit, effects of overexposure, emergency first aid measures

Section VII

Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled, waste disposal method, precautions to be taken in handling and storing

Section VIII

Control Measures
Respiratory protection, ventilation, protective gloves, eye protection, other protective equipment

Copies of MSDS for all hazardous drugs/chemicals should be accessible on any area that handles them. MSDS can be obtained in a variety of places including Micromedex, UIHC Safety Reference Cards (SIRI MSDS Index: http://hazard.com/msds/), manufacturers' websites, contacting the manufacturer, and on other Internet sites including:

MSDS Assistant (UI): http://66.133.86.5:82/search.asp
Proscar MSDS management: http://www2.prosarcorp.com/ivax/

If you need assistance in obtaining a MSDS, please contact the Drug Information Center at 6-2600.

Title Page

Section I	Manufacturer's Identification and Chemical Name Chemical and trade name, manufacturer's name, address, and contact information
Section II	Hazardous Ingredients List of hazardous ingredients, their percent composition, describes the nature of the hazard (e.g., irritant), and lists significant animal studies which determine toxicity.
Section III	Physical/Chemical Characteristics Physical and chemical characteristic such as boiling point, specific gravity, melting point, vapor pressure, solubility in water, appearance and odor
Section IV	Fire and Explosion Hazard Data Flash point, flammable limits, extinguishing media, special fire fighting procedures unusual fire and explosion hazards
Section V	Reactivity Data Stability, conditions to avoid, material to avoid, hazardous decomposition products, hazardous polymerization
Section VI	Health Hazard Data Threshold limit value, permissible exposure limit, effects of overexposure, emergency first aid measures
Section VII	Precautions for Safe Handling and Use Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled, waste disposal method, precautions to be taken in handling and storing
Section VIII	Control Measures Respiratory protection, ventilation, protective gloves, eye protection, other protective equipment