Office of Emergency Management | Environment, Health & Safety |

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Chemical Fact Sheets

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Quick Resources

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - Chemical hazard and toxicity information
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) ToxfAQs
• CDC and World Health Organization International Chemical Safety - Information available in a number of languages
• CS ChemFinder
• EPA Chemical Fact Sheets
• Hazardous Chemical Information including DOT Response Guide Information
• International Program on Chemical Safety - access to internationally peer reviewed information on chemicals commonly used throughout the world.
• Material Data Safety Sheets on the Internet
• National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH) 
• Pesticide and other Chemical Information
• Public Health Agency of Canada – Bio-safety MSDS Data Base
• Southeast Texas Poison Control Center
• The Oxford University MSDS site
• TOXNET – the National Institute of Health, National Library of Medicine, a cluster of databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, and related areas.
• University of Vermont - SIRI MSDS - A searchable MSDS site
• EPA Envirofacts
• SIRI MSDS Index 

Manufacturer/Distributor MSDS Links:

• Applied Biosystems
• JT Baker
• BOC Gases
• Dow AgroSciences
• Dow Chemical
• Dojindo Laboratories
• EMD Chemicals Inc.
• Fisher Scientific Electronic MSDS Library
• Hach
• Hewlett-Packard
• Kodak
• 3M
• Praxair
• Procter & Gamble
• Sigma-Aldrich
• W.W. Grainger
• Xerox

About MSDS
MSDS’ provide necessary information about precautions for protecting against known hazards associated with chemical materials. They often include useful information on chemical, physical and toxicological properties, along with suggestions for storing, transporting and disposing of chemicals. MSDS’ are the best general source of information on chemicals that is available.

An MSDS should be obtained for each chemical that is used by your department, division, laboratory or shop. Each MSDS must be specific to the product that it describes and specific to the manufacturer of the substance.

LSCS OEM recommends that each department or laboratory that uses chemicals, place one person in charge of maintaining the Material Safety Data Sheets. This person is responsible for ensuring that there is an MSDS on file for every hazardous substance in the in area. Each MSDS needs to be kept in a location where everyone in the division or lab group can access the information. OEM recommends filing MSDS’ in a binder labeled MSDS and keep it an area where safety and emergency information is kept. While an electronic format is an acceptable way to store MSDS’, it is recommended to keep a hard copy as well (in case of a power outage or computer failure).

Web Based Retrieval
The web is a convenient and quick way to retrieve Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). However, one should use caution when retrieving MSDSs from the Internet. Some of the MSDSs found on the Internet may be of questionable quality or may not be the most current version of the MSDS. You should be using the most current MSDS for that chemical and also be sure that it is specific to the manufacturer of the chemical. When in doubt consult with OEM or your campus Facilities Department.

The LSCS Offices of Emergency Management has combined efforts and resources to create a "one-stop" source for chemical safety information. The sites referenced above cannot be used in lieu of manufacturer specific MSDS, yet it can be a valuable resource to augment the MSDS information.

Manufacturer MSDS Retrieval
The manufacturer or distributor of hazardous substances is required to provide an MSDS for every substance that they distribute. The manufacturer is often the best source of the MSDS, since the information provided is usually the most current and accurate. Manufacturer MSDSs are available through the following routes:

• Included with Chemical Shipment
  • If so, retain the most recent copy and file it in your MSDS binder.
• Requesting an MSDS from the Manufacturer
  • Information about the manufacturer should be on the label of the substance or with the shipping papers.
  • Call the manufacturer and request an MSDS.
  • Many companies will fax or email the MSDS to you as soon as they receive a request.
  • Many companies also have MSDS available on their website.
  • Contact the campus Facilities Department for assistance, if you do not receive a response from the manufacturer within one week.
  • OEM assistance is available to help you get started in collecting the MSDS’ that you require.

Container Labeling

• All containers of chemicals at LSCS should be labeled with their contents even if you know what is in the container.
• Labels on purchased chemicals must contain:
  • The identity of the chemical
  • Appropriate hazard warnings
  • The name of the company that manufactured or distributed the chemical
  • Date of receipt of chemical.

MSDS Form (MSword)