DICTIONARY OF COMMON MSDS TERMS
Absorption- The passage of one substance into or through another: e.g., an operation in which one or more soluble components of a gas mixture are dissolved in a liquid.
Acid- A chemical compound that yields hydrogen ions when dissolved in water: whose hydrogen can be replaced by metals or basic radicals: or which reacts with bases to form salt and water (neutralization).
Acute effect- An adverse effect on the human body with symptoms of high severity coming quickly to a crisis. Acute effects are normally the result of short-term exposures and short duration.
Acute Exposure- A single exposure to a toxic substance that results in severe biological harm or death. Acute exposures are usually characterized as lasting no longer that a day.
Acute Toxicity- The ability of a substance to cause poisonous effects resulting in severe biological harm or death soon after a single exposure or dose. Also, any severe poisonous effect resulting from a single short-term exposure to a toxic substance.
Aerosol- A solid or liquid particulate, natural or man-made, that can remain suspended in air. Paint spray and smoke are examples or aerosols.
Airborne Release- Release of any chemical into the air.
Air contaminant- Any particulate matter, gas or combination thereof, other than water vapor or natural air.
ALK- An abbreviation for alkali.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - A coordinating body of various trade, technical, professional and consumer groups who develop voluntary standards.
Annual Report on Carcinogens- A list of substances that are known or anticipated to be carcinogens; published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).
ANSI- See American National Standards Institute.
Asphyxiant- A chemical, usually in a gas or vapor state that displaces oxygen or prevents its use in the body by other chemical means.
Asphyxiation- The state of unconsciousness or death through lack of adequate oxygen, presence of noxious agents, or other obstruction to normal breathing.
Auto ignition Temperature- The lowest temperature at which a substance will ignite and sustain combustion in the absence of an ignition source.
Blasting Agent (OSHA) - “any material or mixture, consisting of a fuel and oxidizer, intended for blasting, not otherwise classified as an explosive and in which none of the ingredients are classified as an explosive, provided that the finished product, as mixed and packaged for use or shipment, cannot be detonated by means of a No. 8 test blasting cap when unconfined.”
Boiling point (BP) - The temperature at which a liquid changes in physical state to a gas.
CAR, CARC- An abbreviation for carcinogenic.
Carcinogen- A substance that causes cancer. A cancer is characterized by the proliferation of abnormal cells, sometimes in the form of a tumor. “A chemical is considered to be a carcinogen if: (a) it has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen; or (b) it is listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP): or (c) it is regulated by the OSHA as a carcinogen.”
Carcinogenic- Cancer-producing
CAS number- an identification number assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) of the American Chemical Society. The CAS number is used in various databases. Including Chemical Abstracts, for identification and information retrieval.
Catalyst- A chemical that changes the rate of chemical reaction between two other chemicals without affecting the chemical itself.
Caustic- Capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action, corrosive.
Ceiling (ACGIH)-The Threshold Limit Value Ceiling (TLV-C) is “the concentration that should not be exceeded during any part of the working exposure.”
Celsius(C) - Degrees of temperature of 0° C equals 32° Fahrenheit, which is the freezing point of water. 100° C equals 212 ° Fahrenheit, which is the boiling point of water. Convert as follows F° =(C° x 1.8) +32. C°= (F°-32) x 5/9.
Centigrade- Relating to, conforming to, or having a thermometric scale on which the interval between the freezing point of water and the boiling point of water is divided into 100° with 0° representing the freezing point and 100° the boiling point.
Chemical inventory- A list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present using an identity that is referenced on the appropriate material safety data sheet (the list may be compiled for the workplace as a while or for individual work areas).
Chemical name(OSHA)- “The scientific designation of a chemical in accordance with the nomenclature system developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstracts Service(CAS) rules of nomenclature, or a name which will clearly identify the chemical for the purpose of conducting a hazard evaluation.”
Chemical-protective clothing (CPC) - Special clothing that may be resistant to permeation, penetration, or degradation by a chemical. Rubber boots, gloves, aprons, and suits are commonly used to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Chronic- An adverse effect on the human body with symptoms that develop slowly over a long period of time or that frequently recur. Chronic effects are the result of long-term exposure and are of long duration.
Combustible liquid (OSHA)- “Any liquid having a flash point at or above 100 degrees F(37.8°C), but below 200°F(93.3° C), except any mixture having components with flash points of 200°F (93.3° C) or higher, the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.”
Combustion- Burning, or rapid oxidation, accompanied by release of energy in the form of heat and light.
Common name (OSHA)- “Any designation or identification such as code name, code number, trade name, brand name or generic name used to identify a chemical other than by its chemical name.”
Compliance- The state of meeting all the requirements of the law.
Compressed gas (OSHA)- “(i) A gas or mixture of gases having in a container, an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70°F(21.1° C0 or (ii) A gas mixture of gases having, in a container, an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130°F (54.4°C) regardless of the pressure at 70°F(21.1° C) or (iii) A liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi at 100°F (37.8° C) as determined by ASTM D-323-72.”
Consumer products- Consumer products and hazardous substances as defined by the Consumer Product Safety Act are not subject to labeling requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard when they are regulated under the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Container (OSHA) - “Any bag, barrel, bottle, box, can cylinder, drum, reaction vessel, storage tank, or the like that contains a hazardous chemical. For purpose of this section, pipes and piping systems are not considered to be containers.” Note that some state right-to-know laws do consider pipes to be containers.
Contingency plan- A document specifying an organized, planned, and coordinated course of action be followed in case of a fire, explosion, or accident that releases toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes, or radioactive materials which threaten human health or the environment.
Corrosive- “A chemical that causes visible destruction of or irreversible alterations in, living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact. For example, a chemical is considered to be corrosive if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the method described by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, it destroys or changes irreversibly the structure of the tissue at the site of contact following an exposure period of 4 hours. This term shall not refer to action on inanimate surfaces.”
Cutaneous hazards- A chemical that affects the dermal layer of the body by causing rashes, irritation, or defatting of the skin. Examples include ketones and chlorinated compounds.
Degradation- The destructive effect a chemical may have on a piece of chemical-protective clothing. Protective clothing that has been degraded may be partially dissolved, softened, hardened, or completely destroyed. IF not destroyed, the material may have reduced strength and flexibility. This may result in easy tearing or punctures, opening a direct route to skin contact by penetration.
Density- The density of a substance is a number that relates its weight to its volume. Density values in references are given in grams/cubic centimeters (g/cc). The densities of solids and liquids are usually compared to the density of water. The density of water is 1. Substances with a density greater than 1 sink in water and those less than 1 float. For example, lead has a density of 11.35 g/cc; toluene has density of 0.86 g/cc.
Dermal toxicity- The ability of a pesticide or toxic chemical to poison people or animals by contact with the skin.
Disinfectant- A chemical or physical process that kills pathogenic organisms in water. Chlorine is often used to disinfect sewage treatment effluent, water supplies, wells and swimming pools.
Dispersant- A chemical agent used to break up concentrations of organic material such as spilled oil.
Emergency (chemical) - A situation created by an accidental release or spill of hazardous chemicals that poses a threat to the safety of workers, residents, the environment, or property.
Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)- Responsible for enforcing regulations related to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act(RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Clean Air Act(CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Superfund, and others.
Environmental Response Team- EPA experts located in Edison, NJ and Cincinnati, OH, who can provide around-the-clock technical assistance to EPA regional offices and states during all types of emergencies involving hazardous waste sites and spills of hazardous substances.
Evaporation rate- A measure of the length of time required for a given amount of a substance to evaporate compared with the time required for an equal amount of ether or butyl acetate to evaporate. For example, the evaporation rate of toluene is 2.24(butyl acetate=1).
Explosive (OSHA) - “Any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosive, i.e., with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat, unless such compound, mixture, or device is otherwise specially classified by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.”
Extremely hazardous substances- Any of 406 chemicals identified by the EPA on the basis of toxicity, and listed under SARA Titled III. The list is subject to revision.
Eye Hazards- Chemicals that affect the eye or visual capacity. Examples include organic solvents and acids.
Fahrenheit- Relating or conforming to a thermometric scale on which under standard atmospheric pressure the boiling point of water is at 212 degrees above the zero of the scale, the freezing point is at 32 degrees above zero, and the zero point approximates the temperature produced by mixing equal quantities, by weight, of snow and common salt.
Flammable (OSHA) - “Means a chemical that falls into one of the following categories:” flammable aerosol, flammable gas, flammable liquid, flammable solid.
Flammable aerosol- “An aerosol than, when tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.45, yields a flame projection exceeding 18 inches at full valve opening, or a flashback (a flame extending back at the valve) at any degree of valve opening.” This is one category of chemical that OSHA considers flammable.
Flammable Gas (OSHA)- “Means: (a) A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure, forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of thirteen (13) percent by volume or less; or (b) A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure, forms a range of flammable mixtures with air wider than twelve (12) percent of volume; regardless of the lower limit.”
Flammable Limits (OSHA) - The range defined by the lower (LFL) and upper (UFL) flash point or flammability limit. May sometimes be referred to as explosive limits (LEL & UEL) in other sources of information. This is the range of concentration in air that may readily ignite when exposed to a flame or spark.
Flammable Liquid (OSHA) - “Means any liquid having a flash point below 100F (37.8C), except any mixture having components with flash points of 100F (37.8C) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.”
Flammable Solid (OSHA)- “Means a solid, other than a blasting agent or explosive as defined in section 1910.109(a), that is liable to cause fire through friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be ignited readily and when ignited burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious hazard. A chemical shall be considered to be a flammable solid if, when tested by the method descried in 16 CFR 1500.44, it ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than one tenth of an inch per second along it’s major axis.
Flash Point (FLP) (OSHA) - “Means the minimum temperature at which a liquid give off vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite when tested as follows: (i) Tagliabue Closed Tester: or (ii) Pensky Martens Closed Tester; or (iii) Setaflash Closed Tester.”
Foreseeable Emergency (OSHA) - “Means any po9tential occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment which could result in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace.
Fume- A smoke, vapor, or gas, especially when irritating or offensive.
Hazard Communication- The end result of special measures and activities conducted by employers. The purpose is to reduce and eliminate adverse health effects due to unnecessary exposures to hazardous material. Hazard communication is achieved by recognition and evaluation of workplace hazards, accurate labeling of hazards, and effective training of employees about proper handling and use those hazardous materials in the workplace. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard describes how employers are to inform employees of workplace chemical hazards.
Hazard Warning (OSHA) - “Means any words, pictures, symbols, or combination thereof appearing on a label or other appropriate form of warning which convey the hazards of the chemical(s) in the container(s).” A hazard warning is one of the types of information required on a container.
Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) - An integrated approach to working with hazardous materials. The system includes information on assessing hazards, labeling, and training. It was devised by the National Paint and Coatings Association. The label includes information such as chemical identification, acute hazard ratings, long-term health hazard potential, and appropriate personal protective equipment.
Hazardous Substance- 1. Any material that poses a threat to human health and/or the environment. Typical hazardous substances are toxic, corrosive, ignitable, explosive, or chemically reactive. 2. Any substance designated by EPA to be reported if a designated quantity of the substance is spilled in the waters of the United States or if otherwise emitted to the environment.
Hazards Analysis- The procedures involved in: (1) identifying potential sources of release of hazardous materials from fixed facilities or transportation accidents; (2) determining the vulnerability of a geographical area to a release of hazardous materials; and (3) comparing hazards to determine which present greater or lesser risks to a community.
Health Hazard (OSHA) - “Means a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees.
HEPA- High-Efficiency Particulate Air
Hepatotoxins- Chemicals that cause liver damage such as liver enlargement or dysfunction. Examples include nitrosamines and carbon tetrachloride.
Highly Toxic- “A chemical falling within any of the following categories: (a) A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each. (b) A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD 50) of 300 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each, (c) A chemical hat has a median lethal concentration (LC 50) in air of 200 parts per million by volume or less of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less of mist, fume or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.”
Hypergolic- Igniting upon contact of components without external aid (as a spark).
Ignitable- Capable of burning or causing a fire.
Ignition Temperature- The lowest temperature at which a material can catch fire and burn independently of other heat sources.
Immediately dangerous to life and health- The maximum level to which a healthy individual can be exposed to a chemical for 30 minutes and escape without suffering irreversible health effects or impairing symptoms. Used as a “level of concern.”
Immediate use (OSHA)- “Means that the hazardous chemical will be under the control of and used only by the person who transfers it from a labeled container and only within the work shift in which it is transferred.” Employers are not required to label container designated for an “immediate use” purpose.
Impervious- Unable to be penetrated.
Incineration- 1. Burning of certain types of solid, liquid, or gaseous materials. 2. A treatment technology involving destruction of waste by controlled burning at high temperatures. E.g., burning sludge to remove the water and reduce the remaining residues to a safe, nonburnable ash that can be disposed of safely on land, in some waters, or in underground locations.
Incompatible- Materials that should be kept apart due to hazards involved if they come into direct contact with each other.
Inflammation- Tissue reaction to injury; the succession of changes that occur in living tissue when it is injured. The inflamed area undergoes continuous change as the body repair processes start to heal and replace injured tissue.
Ingestion- Chemicals that enter the body by this route of entry may have local effects and/or may be absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine.
Inhalation- Chemicals that enter the body by this route of entry may have local effects and/or may be absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.
Irritant- “A chemical, which is not corrosive but which causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of the contact. A chemical is a skin irritant if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the methods of 16 CFR 1500.41 for four hours exposure or by other appropriate techniques, it results in an empirical score of five or more. A chemical is an eye irritant if so determined under the procedure listed in 16 CFR 1500.42 or other appropriate techniques.
Label- “Means any written, printed or graphic material displayed on or affixed to containers of hazardous chemicals.” Containers in the work place must be labeled, tagged, or marked with the following information: Identity of hazardous chemical and appropriate hazard warnings. In addition containers leaving the workplace must also have the name and address of the responsible party.
Lethal Concentration- The concentration in air of a toxic substance that was required to cause the dearth of half the test animal population under controlled administration. This evaluates inhalation as potentially harmful route of entry.
Lethal Dose- The dose or amount of a toxic substance that was required to cause the death of half the test animal population under controlled administration. Either ingestion or skin contact may be evaluated. LD50 data is used to assess the toxicity of a chemical.
Level of concern- The concentration in air of an extremely hazardous substance above which a flame will not propagate in the mixture is ignited.
LFL- Lower flammable limit.
Lower flash point limit- The lowest concentration of a combustible or flammable gas or vapor in air that will produce a flash of fire. Mixtures below this concentration are too lean to burn. The lower flash point limit of toluene is 1.27%.
Lung Agents- Chemicals that irritate of damage lung tissue.
Manufacturer’s formulation- A list of substances or component parts as described by the maker of coating, pesticides or other product containing chemicals or other substances.
Material Safety data Sheet- A compilation of information required under the OSHA hazard Communication Standard on the identity of hazardous chemicals, health, and physical hazards, exposure limits, and precautions.
Maximum Contaminant Level- The maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water delivered to any user of a public water system. MCLs are enforceable standards.
Medical surveillance- Many of the chemicals that are regulated by OSHA have requirements that the employer conduct medical surveillance on employees to assure that chemical exposures is with in the acceptable limits.
Melting point- The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid state, the melting point of Toluene is 139 degrees.
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) (DOL) - Along with NIOSH, MSHA is responsible for testing and approving respirators.
Mixture- “Means any combination of two or more chemicals of the combination is not, in whole or in part, the result of a chemical reaction.” There are specific Requirements for preparing MSDSs for chemical mixtures.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - A nonprofit organization that provides information on fire protection and prevention that provide information on fire protection and prevention. Among the publications the NFPA develops is the 704 Standard for the Identification of the Fire Hazards of Materials.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - involved in research on health effects due to workplace exposures. Research is used to make recommendations for reducing or preventing worker exposures. NIOSH is also responsible for testing and certifying respirators.
National Response Center- The federal operations center that receives notifications of all releases of oil and hazardous substances into the environment. The Center open 24 hours a day, is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, which evaluates all reports and notifies the appropriate agency.
National Response Team (NRT) - Representatives of the 13 federal agencies that, as a team, coordinate federal responses to nationally significant incidents of pollution and provide advice and technical assistance to the responding agency before and during a response action.
Nephrotoxins- chemicals that cause damage to the kidneys, Trichloroethylene is an example of a Nephrotoxin.
Neurotoxins- Chemicals that have their primary toxic effects on the central nervous system. Examples of neurotoxins include mercury and carbon disulfide.
Nonflammable- Not easily ignited and not burning rapidly if ignited.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Responsible for enforcing the regulations related to safety and health in the workplace.
Oncogenic- A substance that causes tumors, whether benign or malignant.
Organic chemicals/compounds- animal- or plant-produced substances containing mainly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Organic peroxide
(OSHA) - “Means and organic compound that contains the
bivalent-0-0-structure and which may be considers to be a structural derivative
of hydrogen peroxide where one or both of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced
by an organic radical.” The law considers organic peroxide to be a physical hazard.
Oxidant- A substance containing oxygen that reacts chemically in air to produce a new substance.
Oxidizer (OSHA)-“Means a chemical other than a blasting agent or explosive as defining in section 1910.109(a), that initiates or promotes combustion in other materials thereby causing fire either of itself or through the release of oxygen or other gases.”
Particulates- Fine liquid or solid particles such as dust, smoke, mist, fumes, or smog found in air or emissions.
Pathogenic-Capable of causing disease.
Pathogens- Microorganisms that can cause disease in other organisms or in humans, animals, and plants. They may be bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are found in sewage, in runoff from animal farms or rural areas populated with domestic and/or wild animals, and in water used for swimming.
Penetration-The passage of a chemical through an opening in a protective material.
Permeation-Permeation the passage of a chemical through a piece of clothing on a molecular level.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) - The PEL refers to the maximum air contaminant concentration a worker can be exposed to on a repeated basis without developing adverse effects.
Physical Hazard(OSHA)- “means a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compresses gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive), or water-reactive.”
Poison-a substance that causes the disturbance, disease, or death of an organism.
Radiation-any form of energy propagated as rays, waves, or streams of energetic particles.
Reactive (OSHA)-“means a chemical which in the pure state, or as produced or transported, will vigorously polymerize, decompose, condense, or will become self-reactive under conditions of shock, pressure or temperature.”
Reactivity-a measure of the tendency of a substance to undergo chemical reaction with the release of energy.
Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) (NOISH) - the highest allowable airborne concentration which is not expected to cause injury.
Reproductive toxins- Chemicals that affect reproductive capabilities, including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis). Examples of reproductive toxins include lead and DBCP.
Right to Know- A term applied to a variety of laws and regulations enacted by municipal, county and state governments that provide for the availability of information on chemical hazards; also includes the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
SCBA- Self-Contained breathing apparatus.
SCFM- Standard Cubic Feet per minute.
Stability- How likely a material is to remain unchanged. Material is considered stable if it remains unchanged under normal conditions.
Standards-Prescriptive norms that govern action and actual limits and the amount of pollutants or emissions produced.
Target organ effects- Those effects that are recognized to be a result of exposure to a specific chemical.
Threshold limit value (TLV) - Represents the air concentrations of chemical substances to which it is believed that workers may be exposed daily with out adverse effect.
Toxic- Harmful to living organisms.
Toxicant- A
poisonous agent that kills or injures animal or plant life.
Toxic Chemical Release Form- An information form required to be submitted by facilities that manufacture, process, or use chemicals listed under SARA title III.
Toxicity- The degree of danger posed by a substance to animal or plant life.
Toxic substance- A chemical or mixture that may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.
Upper flash point limit- The highest concentration of a combustible or flammable gas or vapor in air that will produce a flash or fire.
Vapor- The gaseous phase of substances that are liquid or solid at atmospheric temperature and pressure.
Vaporization- The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas.
Ventilation/suction- The act of admitting fresh air into a space in order to replace stale or contaminated air; achieved by blowing air into the space. Similarly, suction represents the admission of fresh air into an interior space by lowering the pressure outside of the space, thereby drawing the contaminated air outward.
Volatile-A description of any substance that evaporates readily.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) - Any organic compound that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions except for those designated by the EPA administration as having negligible photochemical reactivity.
Water Solubility- The maximum concentration of a chemical compound that can result when it is dissolved in water. If a substance is water-soluble it can very readily disperse through the environment