MSDS Glossary
- Environmental Toxicity
- Information obtained as a result of conducting environmental testing designed to study the effects on aquatic and plant life.
- EPA
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- Evaporation Rate
- The rate at which a material will vaporize (evaporate) when compared to the known rate of vaporization of a standard material. The evaporation rate can be useful in evaluating the health and fire hazards of a material. The designated standard material is usually normal butyl acetate (NBUAC or n-BuAc), with a vaporization rate designated as 1.0. Vaporization rates of other solvents or materials are then classified as:
Fast evaporating if greater than 3.0.
Examples:- Methyl Ethyl Ketone = 3.8
- Acetone = 5.6
- Hexane = 8.3
Medium evaporating if 0.8 to 3.0.
Examples:- 190 proof (95%) Ethyl Alcohol = 1.4
- VM&P Naphtha = 1.4
- MIBK = 1.6
Slow evaporating if less than 0.8.
Examples:- Xylene = 0.6
- Isobutyl Alcohol = 0.6
- Normal Butyl Alcohol = 0.4
- Water = 0.3
- Mineral Spirits = 0.1
- Explosive
- A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature.
- Exposure or Exposed
- Exposure to a chemical occurs when the chemical is taken into the body through inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, or any other means.
- Exposure Limits
- The concentration in workplace air of a chemical deemed the maximum acceptable. This means that most workers can be exposed at given levels or lower without harmful effects. Exposure limits in common use are:
- TLV-TWA: Threshold limit value - time-weighted average.
- STEL: Short-term exposure limit.
- 3. C: Ceiling value.
- Extinguishing Media
- The firefighting substance to be used to control a material in the event of a fire. It is usually identified by its generic name, such as fog, foam, water, etc.
- Eye Protection
- Recommended safety glasses, chemical splash goggles, or face shields to be used when handling a hazardous material.
