DESCRIPTION AND EXPLANATION OF TERMS
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
EXXON COMPANY, U.S.A.
The following information is intended to assist the reader in understanding
the format and the material included in Exxon's Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS).
SECTION I:
PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
This section includes the product name and category. The "Product Code"
is Exxon's internal product identification number.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER - Exxon's 24-hour telephone number
(713-656-3424) is intended only for medical-related emergencies. An answering
service directs after hours calls. After normal business hours the caller
should leave a short description of the emergency and the call back number.
The Exxon medical staff person on duty will respond as soon as possible,
normally within a few minutes. Transportation emergencies should be reported
to the 24 hour numbers listed. Routine MSDS questions should be directed to
Marketing Technical Services (713) 656-5949 during normal business hours.
SECTION 2:
COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
COMPONENTS - The chemical or common names of the major constituents
are listed along with names of any ingredients believed to be health
or physical hazards and which are present in the product at a concentration
of 1% or more. Health effects and presence of carcinogens (at 0.1% or
greater) are discussed in Sections 3 and II. The major constituents of
most petroleum products are refined petroleum fractions as defined in
the Inventory of Chemical Substances under the Toxic Substances Control
Act.
CAS NUMBERS OF COMPONENTS - These are the Chemical Abstracts Service
Registry Numbers (CAS identification numbers) which are assigned to individual
component chemicals by the Chemical Abstracts Service, when
applicable. Some ingredients, particularly additives, are complex mixtures
to which single CAS numbers may not apply or for which detailed composition
information may not be available.
APPROXIMATE CONCENTRATION - This is the approximate concentration of
the component(s) in the product. In some cases, particularly where details
are proprietary, the total amount of several components is shown.
SECTION 3: HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION (part 1)
SECTION 3: (part
2)
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (HMIS) - These recommendations
are for those organizations utilizing this system.
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) System - These recommendations
are included for those organizations utilizing this system.
PRIMARY ROUTES OF ENTRY AND EMERGENCY AND FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
EYE CONTACT - SKIN - INHALATION - INGESTION - These are primary routes
of entry along with recommended emergency and first aid procedures if
an individual is overexposed to the product.
SECTION 5: FIRE-FIGHTING
MEASURES (part 1)
FLASH POINT (MINIMUM) - This is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off enough flammable vapors, under conditions of the test, that
a source of ignition can ignite the vapor. The American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM) test method is also given.
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE - This is the temperature at which a liquid
or solid may ignite spontaneously without the presence of a spark or other
source of ignition. Tests for autoignition temperature are not routinely
performed, so approximate or "greater than" values may be shown.
FLAMMABLE OR EXPLOSIVE LIMITS - These are the range of vapor concentrations
in air that may ignite or explode if an ignition source is present; approximate
or estimated values are shown.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA AND FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES - These include information
recommended by the National Fire Protection Association.
DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS - These are by-products
of burning.
SECTION 6: ACCIDENTAL
RELEASE MEASURES
What to do in an accident or spill situation.
SECTION 7: STORAGE
AND HANDLING
How to handle product and product containers.
HANDLING PRECAUTIONS - These provide guidance for use of product around
sources of ignition.
EMPTY PRODUCT CONTAINER WARNING - This is an important warning about
potential hazards associated with "empty" product containers.
SECTION 8: EXPOSTURE
CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION (part 1)
SECTION 8: (part
2)
These are generally applicable precautions recommended for the safe
handling and use of the product, including appropriate engineering controls,
work practices, protective equipment, and personal hygiene practices.
EXPOSURE LIMIT FOR TOTAL PRODUCT - The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), the American Conference
of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV),
or Exxon's recommended Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) is shown. In some
cases where carcinogens are present, a recommended limit has not been established.
For vapors, exposure limits are expressed in parts per million (ppm) and
in milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) of vapor in air. For mists and fumes
the limit is given in mg/m3. As noted in the preface to published values
adopted by the ACGIH, TLVs represent "conditions under which it is believed
that nearlyall workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse
effect. Because of wide variation in individual susceptibility, however,
a small percentage of workers may experience discomfort from some substances
at concentrations at or below the threshold limit; a smaller percentage may
be affected more seriously by aggravation of a preexisting condition or
by development of an occupational illness".
SECTION 9: PHYSICAL
AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES (part 1)
SECTION 9: (part
2)
Data provided to identify the physical and chemical form and nature of products.
The data provides information on gas, liquid and solid boiling range(s),
specific gravity/density, molecular weight (if known or estimated) pH, pour
point and viscosity. This section also includes data on air and water quality
parameters. The product appearance and odor are also found here.
SECTION 10:
STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
This is the general chemical stability of the product and some examples
of conditions that should be avoided to prevent an unwanted reaction.
SECTION 11: TOXICOLOGICAL
INFORMATION
This information refers to the most common biological effects that could
be anticipated from a direct exposure to or contact with the product. This
section deals with anticipated health effects or the lack thereof in workers/customers
based on chemical, animal data or human health studies.
SECTION 12:
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Data and recommendations about potential exposures and health effects
to wildlife and/or the environment.
SECTION 13:
DISPOSAL CONSIDERATION
Options for disposal. Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) status.
SECTION 14:
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
This is emergency response information pertaining to transportation-
related spills. In addition, a Department of Transportation (DOT) Identification
Number has been assigned for reference, if applicable.
SECTION 15: REGULATORY
INFORMATION
This is information on product composition and characteristics which may
be required to be submitted under a variety of local, state and federal regulations
such as SARA and TSCA. It also contains the regulatory list status of the
product. A statement of U.S. TSCA inventory listing of components may be
found in this section.
This section contains a disclaimer and other pertinent information
when appropriate.