|
|
|
|
|
Marybeth Smuts, US EPA - New England, One Congress Street, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02114, (617) 918-1512, smuts.marybeth@epamail.epa.gov
For over twenty years, there have been requirements for material safety data sheets (MSDSs) to clearly explain chemical hazards in workplace products. Over 22 states’ chemical Right-to-Know laws, OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and the EPA’s Community Right-to-Know Act expanded the use of Material Safety Data Sheets in the workplace and in the community. Even with this increased legislative requirement and the Chemical Manufacturers Association up-grade efforts, MSDSs did not provide high quality information. A review in 1989 of Material Safety Data Sheets of selected products submitted under the Massachusetts Right to Know Law yielded a rejection rate of 90% due to insufficient information. The MSDS format is structured to provide chemical content, health information, safety and handling precautions and disposal instructions. This potential source of chemical information is now being mined by environmentalists to evaluate green products. A review of Material Safety Data Sheets was conducted during the evaluation and selection of Green Cleaners. MSDSs of cleaning products were evaluated from two sources: products used by a general cleaning service contractor and from suppliers competing for a school system’s “Green Cleaners” purchasing order. On-line product MSDSs were also compared to the submitted MSDSs. This review revealed that the quality of the chemical information had declined over the 15 yrs since the author’s last MSDS review. Continued demand for green products with its intense scrutiny of chemical content information and verification of the information has the potential to improve MSDSs.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to
Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards, Occupational Exposure
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: review of MSDSs of cleaning products from numerous manufacturers
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.