Use of MSDS

[LeakySeals]

In the past, the MSDS would contain a complete inventory of chemicals. More recently its partial. As the name suggests, the MSDS (abbreviation for Materials Safety Data Sheet) appear to contain only the chemicals that are toxic or hazardous now.

So when we discuss additives, etc. is the MSDS not accurate enough to use anymore?

 

[buster]

I don't think you can get much from a MSDS. If the date has changed and is more recent, I believe that suggests there was a formulation change. I'm not entirely sure.

 

[volk06]

Correct. Msds are only used to list environmental and safety hazards of a material. A lot of companies don't like posting information as they can reveal trade secrets or proprietary information. They can actually list a chemical as proprietary or trade secret and not release the chemical name. MSDS will be changing in the next 2 years due to global harmonization, they will be called SDS, safety data sheets and they will all have the same layout and required info across every company and product. this way you can pick one up and know all the sections are the same even though it's a different company and/or chemical

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: volk06
Correct. They can actually list a chemical as proprietary or trade secret and not release the chemical name.

Provided its non-toxic, otherwise it should be listed on a MSDS, right? The rest of the MSDS (induce vomiting, seek medical help, etc) would not be accurate right?.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
In the past, the MSDS would contain a complete inventory of chemicals.


This has NEVER been the case. I wrote MSDS's in the 1980's.

MSDS's are not and never have been a great and accurate source in the quest to choose lubricants by looking for a couple ingredients assumed to be the magic elixir. Some even thought the purpose of an MSDS is to tell consumers the composition of products.

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: volk06
Correct. They can actually list a chemical as proprietary or trade secret and not release the chemical name.

Provided its non-toxic, otherwise it should be listed on a MSDS, right? The rest of the MSDS (induce vomiting, seek medical help, etc) would not be accurate right?.


If it's truly hazardous, yes it would need to be disclosed in some form, and the response and fire/toxicity/oxidation would need to be accurate.

 

[volk06]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
Originally Posted By: volk06
Correct. They can actually list a chemical as proprietary or trade secret and not release the chemical name.

Provided its non-toxic, otherwise it should be listed on a MSDS, right? The rest of the MSDS (induce vomiting, seek medical help, etc) would not be accurate right?.


Not necessarily. I worked for a company that painted parts for a big green ag company. The paint contained isocyantes but the msds would list this a proprietary blend. Had to jump through hoops to find out which isocyantes the paint contained. Had to call the paint companies corporate EHS to find out. Our guys needed blood tests to monitor their levels. Granted isocyanate at this level was a chronic exposure (over time) and not an acute ( immediate hazard) so they could use a few loopholes to get around it. Usually if it causes anything acute it needs to be listed. Usually motor oil chemicals are chronic in exposure, unless you drink the motor oil itself it's acute.

It's not a perfect system. I'm actually auditing my companies hazcomm program and revamping it as we speak.

Pablo was pretty dead on.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: volk06
Pablo was pretty dead on.


And as a dangerous goods inspector, we don't worry about whether an oil lists group number or Regane lists PEA. An emergency response to an oil spill is the same whether it's Pennzoil Conventional or Red Line, and with a spill of fuel additives, it doesn't matter much whether it's Red Line's or some octane boost.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: volk06
Correct. Msds are only used to list environmental and safety hazards of a material. A lot of companies don't like posting information as they can reveal trade secrets or proprietary information. They can actually list a chemical as proprietary or trade secret and not release the chemical name. MSDS will be changing in the next 2 years due to global harmonization, they will be called SDS, safety data sheets and they will all have the same layout and required info across every company and product. this way you can pick one up and know all the sections are the same even though it's a different company and/or chemical


After reading your response, I figured you were in the EH&S field. So am I.