Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide valuable information on chemicals as well as procedures for handling and working with a substance safely. The MSDS 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 material safety data sheet. Material safety data sheets will either accompany or precede the shipment. Place the MSDS'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 MSDS with subsequent orders of the same product.

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

Other ways to find an MSDS 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 MSDS sheets via the web (some links located below)

VWR Scientific Products
EMD Chemicals Inc.
J. T. Baker
Mallinckrodt Laboratory Chemicals
Eastman Kodak
Vermont SIRI

Hazardous Chemical Information:

Hazardous Substances Database
International Agency for Research on Cancer
National Toxicology Program
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
ChemID Plus
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 MSDS' online.