A dictionary for chemicals and their dangers
Breathe in bleach for a few minutes, or even a few seconds, and something in your brain should communicate to your body (and vice versa) that this is dangerous for you. But why? That's my four-year old niece's favorite question and if you're anything like her it may be your question as well.There's a little thing called the Material Safety Data Sheet that outlines the reactions a particular chemical will have with another material and under what conditions the chemical becomes dangerous. If you're worried about a chemical you may come in contact with this database could be helpful.
Canada, the EU and other nations have their own system that outlines concerns and safety precautions one should take using a given chemical.
These databases are not frequently online, though if you work with chemicals in your workplace your employer is required to have documentation available on each material that could be hazardous.
Because these databases are built for people in constant contact with a chemical they may not apply to the few minutes you may spend in your bathroom with said abrasive. But, if you're anything like my niece, you may want to know what that paint stripper, mildew remover or degreaser is doing to your house or your cats paws.
Check out the links for some available online content.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-08-2008 @ 4:58PM
Bill said...
MSDS can be very interesting, and contain some nice information like, whether a chemical is deemed a carcinogen, if it will cause inhalation, skin, or eye irritation, how to handle someone who ingests the chemical (think poison control info), and the LD50 (amount per unit body weight you would have to eat/ingest to have a 50-50 chance at acute death.)
It is, however, a good idea to keep things in perspective:
1. Check out an MSDS on good old table salt (NaCl) before reacting to a mystery chemical MSDS:
http://www2.hazard.com/msds/f2/bcz/bczxc.html
2. Just because the LD50 requires a large amount to be consumed--or indicates that you can bathe in the stuff and eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner--the chemical could have some long term cumulative effect. LD50 typically only refers to immediate death.
3. For even more fun, tonight before sitting down for a nice glass of wine, beer, or delicious cocktail, contemplate the MSDS for Ethanol:
https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/89308.htm
As you savor your drink note how Fisher has been nice enough to publish enough data that you now know that per unit mass rats hold their liquor better than rabbits and rabbits better than mice. (always bet on the rat in a drinking contest.)
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