Safety, Health, Environment, and Risk Management

Safety Data Sheets

Safety Data Sheets (SDS), formerly Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), provide valuable information on chemicals as well as procedures for handling and working with a substance safely. The SDS includes information such as physical data (boiling point, flash point, etc.), health effects, toxicity, first aid, storage, disposal, personal protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures.

Manufacturer Responsibilities

The manufacturer or distributor of a chemical product must send material safety data sheets to the purchaser (UTHealth) with the initial shipment of a product/hazardous chemical and with each update of the Safety data sheet. Safety data sheets will either accompany or precede the shipment. Place the SDS's in the Chemical Safety Binders that the EHS office has distributed to each Principal Investigator (P.I.). The manufacturer or distributor is not required to send an SDS with subsequent orders of the same product.

To obtain a SDS sheet on a product/hazardous chemical from UTHealth search Chemwatch.

Other ways to find an SDS include:

• Look in the Chemical Safety Binder in your laboratory
• Call Environment Health and Safety (713) 500-5832
• Write or call the manufacturer or distributor
• Access SDS sheets via the web (some links located below)

SDS Links :

• VWR Scientific Products
• EMD Chemicals Inc.
• Mallinckrodt Laboratory Chemicals
• Vermont SIRI

Hazardous Chemical Information:

• Hazardous Substances Database
• International Agency for Research on Cancer
• National Toxicology Program
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• Interactive Learning Paradigms, Inc. (Search databases, chemical suppliers, and learn about MSDS)

Note: Some companies may require initial registration before you can access the SDS' online.