Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
"The SDS includes information such as the properties of each chemical; the physical, health, and environmental health hazards; protective measures; and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical."--https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html
They are a "component of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard. This regulation, announced in August 1987, requires employers to provide information to employees about hazardous chemicals used in the workplace through SDS, proper labels, and training programs” (Van Camp, p. 97). The regulation covers private, public, industry, and non-industry uses by any employee of any chemical that may have potentially harmful effects.
Locate
- Where to Find Materials Safety Data Sheets on the InternetProvides background information on MSDS, including a definition and examples. It also supplies links to over 85 MSDS sites on the Internet and ways to locate MSDS using non-Internet sources.
- Avantor SDS SearchChemicals sold by J.T. Baker and Macron. Good source for many laboratory chemical SDSs.
- Fisher Scientific SDS SearchChemicals sold by Fisher Scientific. Good source for many laboratory chemical SDSs
- Millipore Simga SDS SearchSDSs for the Sigma-Aldrich companies
- Pathogen Safety Data Sheets SearchHealth Canada's Laboratory Centre for Disease Control SDSs for infectious agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
- SDS Information and GlossaryDescribes the information that can be found on SDSs and provides a glossary of terms that may be used on SDSs.
- SDS FAQGives an excellent history of SDS and basic information about them.
Extra Chemical Information Resources
These resources don't contain SDSs but do contain information about chemical properties.
Sax's Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials by Call Number: REF T55.3 H3 L494 (2004 ed, 2012 online edition also available)ISBN: 0471476625Publication Date: 2004-10-12
Bretherick's Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards by Call Number: REF T55.3 H3 B73 1999; 2017 edition also available onlineISBN: 075063605XPublication Date: 1999-11-12
