School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems

Chapter 4.F. Using Information from Material Safety Data Sheets for Product Selection

Introduction The following information is located on a product’s MSDS and can serve as criteria to help determine how hazardous a product might be to employee and building-occupant health. Product distributors and manufacturers are required to provide an MSDS with a product when it is shipped. The company should be notified if the MSDS is not included. MSDSs are also available on a distributor’s or manufacturer’s Web-site. Under the Massachusetts Right to Know Law (or the federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard for other states), schools are required to provide the MSDS for all hazardous products used by employees and to provide training to staff using these products on how to read the MSDS. Volatile Organic Compounds The percentage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a product is an important consideration due to the following health affects: x VOCs are strong respiratory irritants. Prolonged chronic exposure to high levels of VOCs can lead to increased incidence of asthma and other respiratory ailments in employees and other building occupants. x VOCs can affect the neurological system and cause symptoms of headache, nausea, and dizziness. High-VOC products are usually solvent based and should always be avoided. They can usually be replaced with water-based products that have a lower VOC content. % Volatile Chemicals labeled with a high % volatile should also be avoided: x This number is related to the likelihood that the product will evaporate into the breathing zone where it can be inhaled by employees and other building occupants. Alcohol is highly volatile and evaporates very quickly. Corrosiveness – Acidity and Alkalinity The degree of corrosivity is a safety consideration. Highly acidic and basic products are corrosive and can cause burning and irritation to skin, the respiratory system, and eyes. x Acids with a pH lower than 3.5 and bases with a pH higher than 10 can be dermal hazards. x Highly alkaline products can cause blindness. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) found in low-level disinfecting products are highly alkaline. x Consider the reactivity between strong acids and bases and how these products may be used together. Reactivity is also a key consideration in proper storage because these products should be stored separately. If they happen to intentionally or unintentionally come in contact with one another, they can have violent reactions or release toxic gases.

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