A. As noted above, the easiest way to obtain MSDS is to use the online resources linked to the Department's Safety Web page, http://chemistry.umeche.maine.edu/Safety.html. OSHA requires us to maintain hard copies of the MSDS immediately available in each laboratory. We strongly recommend that you establish a notebook or file tub with MSDS arranged alphabetically. Loose sheets are difficult to produce when needed.

A favorite game of the OSHA inspectors is to take a bottle from the shelf and demand that you immediately produce the MSDS for that substance!

B. The following is the MSDS for dichloromethane, obtained from the Aldrich Chemical Web site. We will look at it section by section. Some parts of the sheet have been excised to save space. (The actual text of the MSDS is in color.)

SECTION 1. - - - - - - - - - CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION- - - - - - - - - - CATALOG #: 34908 NAME: DICHLOROMETHANE (SPECTRANAL) 99.8% MIN. STABILIZED WITH AMYLENE (CA. 25MG/L)

The first section gives the Aldrich catalog number, and the name and grade (spectroscopy quality), and notes that it has been stabilized against photodissociation by the addition of a trace of amylene.

SECTION 2. - - - - - COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS - - - - - - CAS #: 75-09-2 EC NO: 200-838-9 SYNONYMS AEROTHENE MM * CHLORURE DE METHYLENE (FRENCH) * DICHLOROMETHANE (DOT: OSHA) * METHANE DICHLORIDE * METHYLENE BICHLORIDE * METHYLENE CHLORIDE (ACGIH:OSHA) * METHYLENE DICHLORIDE * METYLENU CHLOREK (POLISH) * NARKOTIL * NCI-C50102 * R 30 * R30 (REFRIGERANT) * RCRA WASTE NUMBER U080 * SOLAESTHIN * SOLMETHINE *

Section 2 give the Chemical Abstracts Registry number (CAS #). The EC number is the European Community registry number. Following are a variety of synonyms and trade names under which the substance is sold

SECTION 3. - - - - - - - - - - HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION - - - - - - - - - LABEL PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS TOXIC MAY CAUSE CANCER. POSSIBLE RISK OF HARM TO THE UNBORN CHILD. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. IRRITATING TO EYES, RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AND SKIN. READILY ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. TARGET ORGAN: HEART BECAUSE METHYLENE CHLORIDE IS CONVERTED TO CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE BODY. TARGET ORGAN: CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS. AVOID EXPOSURE - OBTAIN SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR IF YOU FEEL UNWELL, SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY (SHOW THE LABEL WHERE POSSIBLE). WEAR SUITABLE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, GLOVES AND EYE/FACE PROTECTION. DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR.

This section presents potential hazards of exposure to the substance, and indicates appropriate personal protective equipment. Like almost all halogenated organics, dichloromethane is a suspect carcinogen upon extended exposure, has narcotic effects if inhaled, and is irritating to mucous membrane.

SECTION 4. - - - - - - - - - - FIRST-AID MEASURES- - - - - - - - - - - IN CASE OF CONTACT, IMMEDIATELY FLUSH EYES OR SKIN WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WATER FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES WHILE REMOVING CONTAMINATED CLOTHING AND SHOES. ASSURE ADEQUATE FLUSHING OF THE EYES BY SEPARATING THE EYELIDS WITH FINGERS. IF INHALED, REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. IF NOT BREATHING GIVE ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION. IF BREATHING IS DIFFICULT, GIVE OXYGEN. IF SWALLOWED, WASH OUT MOUTH WITH WATER PROVIDED PERSON IS CONSCIOUS. CALL A PHYSICIAN. WASH CONTAMINATED CLOTHING BEFORE REUSE.

The fourth section presents appropriate first-aid measures for overexposure.

SECTION 5. - - - - - - - - - FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES - - - - - - - - - - EXTINGUISHING MEDIA CARBON DIOXIDE, DRY CHEMICAL POWDER OR APPROPRIATE FOAM. WATER SPRAY. SPECIAL FIREFIGHTING PROCEDURES WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES. UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS HAZARDS: EMITS TOXIC FUMES UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS.

Section 5 describes precautions for fires involving dichloromethane, including appropriate types of fire extinguishers.

SECTION 6. - - - - - - - - ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES- - - - - - - - - EVACUATE AREA. WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS, RUBBER BOOTS AND HEAVY RUBBER GLOVES. ABSORB ON SAND OR VERMICULITE AND PLACE IN CLOSED CONTAINERS FOR DISPOSAL. VENTILATE AREA AND WASH SPILL SITE AFTER MATERIAL PICKUP IS COMPLETE.

An accidental release is a spill of a quantity large enough to expose others to hazard. Except for the SCBA, the procedure recommended is our standard Department procedure for spills of non-corrosive materials.

SECTION 7. - - - - - - - - - - HANDLING AND STORAGE- - - - - - - - - - - REFER TO SECTION 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. FOR PROTECTION AND HANDLING REQUIREMENTS CONSULT CFR TITLE 29 PART 1910.1052.

CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations; Title 29 is the section dealing with the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

SECTION 8. - - - - - - EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION- - - - - - POSITIVE PRESSURE RESPIRATOR SHOULD BE WORN. MECHANICAL EXHAUST REQUIRED. COMPATIBLE CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES. IMPERVIOUS PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. STORE AND USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION. DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR. DO NOT GET IN EYES, ON SKIN, ON CLOTHING. AVOID PROLONGED OR REPEATED EXPOSURE. WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING. KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED. STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE.

This section repeats some of the warnings from Section 3. Generally, Section 8 will indicate any special equipment required for handling or storing the material.

SECTION 9. - - - - - - - PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES - - - - - - - APPEARANCE AND ODOR: LIQUID.

SECTION 10. - - - - - - - - -STABILITY AND REACTIVITY - - - - - - - - - STABILITY: STABLE. INCOMPATIBILITIES ALKALI METALS ALUMINUM HEAT HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION OR DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS TOXIC FUMES OF: CARBON MONOXIDE, CARBON DIOXIDE HYDROGEN CHLORIDE GAS PHOSGENE GAS HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION WILL NOT OCCUR.

Section 10 indicates any circumstances under which unusual chemistry is to be expected, which might result in a fire, or strongly exothermic reaction. The listed incompatibilities mean that dichloromethane should not be stored on the same shelf as sodium under xylene, for example, or handled with aluminum spatulas or stirring blades.

This section also explains the statement in Section 5 that it emits toxic fumes during combustion. Most halogenated organics combust incompletely, and produce CO, HCl, and phosgene while burning.

SECTION 11. - - - - - - - - - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION - - - - - - - - ACUTE EFFECTS HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. MAY BE HARMFUL IF INHALED. MAY BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN. CAUSES EYE AND SKIN IRRITATION. MATERIAL IS IRRITATING TO MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT. HEAVY OR PROLONGED SKIN EXPOSURE MAY RESULT IN THE ABSORPTION OF HARMFUL AMOUNTS OF MATERIAL. DICHLOROMETHANE IS METABOLIZED IN THE BODY PRODUCING CARBON MONOXIDE WHICH INCREASES AND SUSTAINS CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN LEVELS IN THE BLOOD, REDUCING THE OXYGEN-CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE BLOOD. PROLONGED OR REPEATED EXPOSURE TO SKIN CAUSES DEFATTING AND DERMATITIS. A SIMPLE ASPHYXIANT. EXPOSURE CAN CAUSE ANESTHETIC ACTION, DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING, HEADACHE, AND DIZZINESS. EXPOSURE CAN CAUSE: CNS DEPRESSION PARESTHESIA SOMNOLENCE CONVULSIONS CONJUNCTIVITIS PULMONARY EDEMA. EFFECTS MAY BE DELAYED. IRREGULAR BREATHING INGESTION CAN CAUSE GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS, NAUSEA AND VOMITING. DROWSINESS INCREASED LIVER ENZYMES WEAKNESS CHRONIC EFFECTS THIS IS OR CONTAINS A COMPONENT THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BE CARCINOGENIC BASED ON ITS IARC, OSHA, ACGIH, NTP OR EPA CLASSIFICATION.

Acronyms here: IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer; OSHA = Occupational Safety and Health Administration; ACGIH = American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; NTP = National Toxicology Program; EPA = Environmental Protection Agency

EXISTING DATA SUGGESTS THAT METHYLENE CHLORIDE MAY BE A WEAK MUTAGEN IN MAMMALIAN SYSTEMS. POSSIBLE RISK OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATION IN THE FETUS. TARGET ORGAN: HEART BECAUSE METHYLENE CHLORIDE IS CONVERTED TO CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE BODY. TARGET ORGAN: CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND DEATH AT HIGH CONCENTRATIONS. TARGET ORGAN(S): LIVER PANCREAS TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES HAVE NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.

RTECS #: PA8050000 METHANE, DICHLORO- IRRITATION DATA SKN-RBT 810 MG/24H SEV EJTXAZ 9,171,1976 SKN-RBT 100 MG/24H MOD 85JCAE -,88,1986 EYE-RBT 162 MG MOD EJTXAZ 9,171,1976 EYE-RBT 10 MG MLD TXCYAC 6,173,1976 EYE-RBT 500 MG/24H MLD 85JCAE -,88,1986

Irritation data are for rabbit eye and skin; "skn-rbt 810 mg/24h sev" means that severe irritation was produced on rabbit skin by exposure to 810 mg for 24 hours. The abbreviations at right are to the journal articles.

TOXICITY DATA ORL-HMN LDLO:357 MG/KG 34ZIAG -,390,1969 ORL-RAT LD50:1600 MG/KG FAONAU 48A,94,1970 IHL-RAT LC50:52 GM/M3 TPKVAL 15,64,1979 IPR-RAT LD50:916 MG/KG ENVRAL 40,411,1986 UNR-RAT LD50:5350 MG/KG GISAAA 53(6),78,1988 IHL-MUS LC50:14400 PPM/7H NIHBAZ 191,1,1949 IPR-MUS LD50:437 MG/KG AGGHAR 18,109,1960 SCU-MUS LD50:6460 MG/KG TXAPA9 4,354,1962 UNR-MUS LD50:4770 MG/KG ESKGA2 28,P31,1982 UNR-RBT LD50:1225 MG/KG GISAAA 53(6),78,1988

ORL = oral; HMN = human; RAT = rat; MUS = mouse; IPR = intraperitoneal; SCU = subcutaneous; IHL = inhalation; LD50 = dosage killing 50% of experimental animals; LC50 = concentration in air killing 50% of animals.

TARGET ORGAN DATA PERIPHERAL NERVE AND SENSATION (PARESTHESIA) BEHAVIORAL (ALTERED SLEEP TIME) BEHAVIORAL (EUPHORIA) BEHAVIORAL (SOMNOLENCE) BEHAVIORAL (CONVULSIONS OR EFFECT ON SEIZURE THRESHOLD) BEHAVIORAL (ATAXIA) CARDIAC (CHANGE IN RATE) LUNGS, THORAX OR RESPIRATION (CHANGE IN TRACHEA OR BRONCHI) LUNGS, THORAX OR RESPIRATION (ACUTE PULMONARY EDEMA) LUNGS, THORAX OR RESPIRATION (TUMORS) LIVER (LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IMPAIRED) SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM) SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES (UROGENITAL SYSTEM) TUMORIGENIC (CARCINOGENIC BY RTECS CRITERIA) ONLY SELECTED REGISTRY OF TOXIC EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES (RTECS) DATA IS PRESENTED HERE. SEE ACTUAL ENTRY IN RTECS FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION.

SECTION 12. - - - - - - - - - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION - - - - - - - - - - DATA NOT YET AVAILABLE.

SECTION 13. - - - - - - - - - DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS - - - - - - - - - DISSOLVE OR MIX THE MATERIAL WITH A COMBUSTIBLE SOLVENT AND BURN IN A CHEMICAL INCINERATOR EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERBURNER AND SCRUBBER. OBSERVE ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

Legal disposal methods. (Not relevant to us; we have it hauled away.)

SECTION 14. - - - - - - - - - - TRANSPORT INFORMATION - - - - - - - - - CONTACT SIGMA CHEMICAL COMPANY FOR TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION.

SECTION 15. - - - - - - - - - REGULATORY INFORMATION - - - - - - - - - - EUROPEAN INFORMATION EC INDEX NO: 602-004-00-3 TOXIC R 40 POSSIBLE RISK OF IRREVERSIBLE EFFECTS. S 23 DO NOT BREATHE VAPOR. S 24/25 AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES. S 36/37 WEAR SUITABLE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND GLOVES. TLV AND SOURCE FOR DICHLOROMETHANE(METHYLENE CHLORIDE): ACGIH TLV-TWA: 50 PPM (175 MG/M3). OSHA PEL: 8H TWA 25 PPM; STEL 125 PPM

TLV = threshold limit value; TWA = time weighted average; PEL = permissible exposure limit

REVIEWS, STANDARDS, AND REGULATIONS OEL=MAK ACGIH TLV-ANIMAL CARCINOGEN DTLVS* TLV/BEI,1997 ACGIH TLV-TWA 174 MG/M3 (50 PPM) DTLVS* TLV/BEI,1997 IARC CANCER REVIEW:ANIMAL SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE IMEMDT 41,43,1986 IARC CANCER REVIEW:HUMAN INADEQUATE EVIDENCE IMEMDT 41,43,1986 IARC CANCER REVIEW:GROUP 2B IMSUDL 7,194,1987 EPA FIFRA 1988 PESTICIDE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION OR RE-REGISTRATION FEREAC 54,7740,1989 MSHA STANDARD-AIR:TWA 500 PPM (1750 MG/M3) DTLVS* 3,171,1971

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NIOSH REL TO METHYLENE CHLORIDE-AIR:CA LOWEST FEASIBLE CONCENTRATION NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992 NOHS 1974: HZD 47270; NIS 374; TNF 89025; NOS 192; TNE 975696 NOES 1983: HZD 47270; NIS 363; TNF 87086; NOS 212; TNE 1438196; TFE 352536 ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/89/194468/AS) EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, POSITIVE: CELL TRANSFORM.-RLV F344 RAT EMBRYO EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, POSITIVE: HISTIDINE REVERSION-AMES TEST EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, POSITIVE: S CEREVISIAE GENE CONVERSION; S CEREVISIAE-HOMOZYGOSIS EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, POSITIVE: S CEREVISIAE-REVERSION EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, NEGATIVE: D MELANOGASTER SEX-LINKED LETHAL EPA TSCA SECTION 8(B) CHEMICAL INVENTORY EPA TSCA 8(A) PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT INFORMATION, FINAL RULE FEREAC 47,26992,82 EPA TSCA SECTION 8(D) UNPUBLISHED HEALTH/SAFETY STUDIES ON EPA IRIS DATABASE EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, DECEMBER 1998 NIOSH CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 46, 1986 NIOSH ANALYTICAL METHOD, 1994: METHYLENE CHLORIDE, 1005 NIOSH ANALYTICAL METHOD, 1996: VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND, 2549 NTP CARCINOGENESIS STUDIES (INHALATION);CLEAR EVIDENCE:MOUSE,RAT NTPTR* NTP-TR-306,86 NTP 8TH ANNUAL REPORT ON CARCINOGENS, 1998:REASONABLY ANTICIPATED TO BE HUMAN CARCINOGEN OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-59 U.S. INFORMATION THIS PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO SARA SECTION 313 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65: THIS PRODUCT IS OR CONTAINS CHEMICAL(S) KNOWN TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO CAUSE CANCER. OSHA REGULATED - SEE CFR TITLE 29 PART 1910.1052.

The deleted section dealt with a number of foreign registrations. The final segment indicates the sources of some of the information on the toxicity, and labeling and reporting requirements for transportation in interstate commerce.

SECTION 16. - - - - - - - - - - OTHER INFORMATION- - - - - - - - - - - - THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT BUT DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE AND SHALL BE USED ONLY AS A GUIDE. SIGMA, ALDRICH, FLUKA SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM HANDLING OR FROM CONTACT WITH THE ABOVE PRODUCT. SEE REVERSE SIDE OF INVOICE OR PACKING SLIP FOR ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE. COPYRIGHT 1998 SIGMA-ALDRICH CO. LICENSE GRANTED TO MAKE UNLIMITED PAPER COPIES FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY