University of Colorado Denver

​Section 1: Identification

 This section identifies the chemical  and provides the name of the supplier, recommended uses, and detail contact information about the supplier including emergency contact information.

Section 2: Hazard Identification

 This section identifies the hazards and appropriate warning information such as:

• signal words
• pictograms
• hazard statements, and
• precautionary statement(s) associated with those hazards.

Click here for a list showing how signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements come together for each hazard class.

Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients

This section identifies the ingredients that make up the chemical including impurities and stabilizing additives which are themselves classified and which contribute to the classification of the chemical.

Section 4: First-Aid Measures

 This section describes the initial care that can be given by an untrained responder without the use of sophisticated equipment or wide selection of medications.  If medical attention is required the instructions should state this, including its urgency.

​Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

 This section covers the requirements for fighting a fire caused by the chemical or arising in its vicinity.

Section 6: Accidental Release Measures

 This section recommends the appropriate response to spills, leaks, or releases in order to prevent or minimize the adverse effects on people, property, and the environment from the chemical.

Section 7: Handling and Storage

 This section provides guidance on the safe handling practices that minimize the potential hazards to people, property, and the environment from the chemical.

Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

 This section gives recommendations regarding appropriate engineering controls and individual protection measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE).

Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties

 This section provides empirical data about the chemical in question to include (when available): appearance, odor, odor threshold, pH, melting/freezing point, initial boiling point and boiling range, flash point, evaporation rate, flammability, upper/lower flammability or explosive limits, vapor pressure, vapor density, relative density, solubilities, octanol-water partition coefficient, auto-ignition temperature, decomposition temperature, and viscosity.

Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

 This section describes reactivity hazards of the chemical and also indicates if the chemical is stable or unstable under normal ambient and anticipated storage and handling conditions of temperature and pressure.  This section also describes: a) any stabilizers which may need to be used to maintain product stability, b) conditions that would create a hazard, c) conditions to avoid.  Also covered under this section are a list of chemical classes that may react with the material to produce a hazardous situation and known or reasonably anticipated hazardous decomposition products.

​Section 11: Toxicological Information

This section is meant primarily for medical professionals and gives a comprehensive description of the various toxicological effects and the available data used to identify those effects.  Relevant hazards for which data should be provided are: acute toxicity, skin corrosion/irritation, serious eye damage/irritation, respiratory or skin sensitization, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, STOT-single exposure, STOT-repeated exposure, and aspiration hazards.  Information should be provided regarding likely routes and symptoms of exposure including delayed and immediate effects as well as chronic effects from short and long term exposure.

 Section 12: Ecological Information

 This section provides information to evaluate the environmental impact of the chemical if it is released to the environment including toxicity data from tests performed on aquatic and/or terrestrial organisms.  Test results relevant to assess persistence and degradability are given when available.  Bioaccumulative potential, mobility in soil, and other adverse effects to the environment such as environmental fate, ozone depletion potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, endocrine  disrupting potential and/or global warming potential are included when available.

Section 13: Disposal Considerations

 This section provides information for proper disposal, recycling, or reclamation of the chemical to assist in the determination of safe and environmentally preferred waste management options.  This section will list sewage disposal and identify any special precautions for incineration and/or landfill as applicable.  Because restrictions and regulations differ from state to state and at the regional and municipal level, it is impairative to refer to local and state restrictions.  Questions regarding proper disposal should be addressed by the University Environmental Health and Safety Department at 303-724-0345.

Section 14: Transport Information

 This section provides basic classification information for the transporting/shipment of the chemical by road, rail, sea, or air.

Section 15: Regulatory Information

This section describes any other regulatory information on the chemical that is not otherwise provided elsewhere in the SDS.

Section 16: Other Information

 This section provides information relevant to the preparation of the SDS.  This should incorporate other information that does not belong in sections 1 through 15 of the SDS including information on the preparation and revision of the SDS such as the date of the preparation or last revision of the SDS, a key/legend to the abbreviations and acronyms used in the SDS, and key literature references and sources of data used to compile the SDS.

• SDS Hyperglossary — A search site by Interactive Learning Paradigms, inc.
• SDS-SEARCH — A fairly comprehensive compilation of SDS databases. Includes some listed below.
• Fisher Scientific — SDS information is available from Fisher by clicking on the Safety Information button at the end of the catalogue listing for a particular chemical substance.
• Sigma Aldrich — Sigma Aldrich Safety Data Sheets are now available on line. You should register ahead of time for quicker access.
• VWR Scientific - SDS sheets for VWR chemicals.
• Vermont Safety Information Resources on the Internet (SIRI)