How to Use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

How to Use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a written document that provides product users and emergency personnel with information and procedures needed for handling and working with chemicals. MSDSs have been around, in one form or another, since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Although MSDS formats vary somewhat between countries and authors (an international MSDS format is documented in ANSI Standard Z400.1-1993), they generally outline the physical and chemical properties of the product, describe potential hazards associated with the substance (health, storage cautions, flammability, radioactivity, reactivity, etc.), prescribe emergency actions, and often include manufacturer identification, address, MSDS date, and emergency phone numbers. Key Takeaways: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) A Material Safety Data Sheet or is a summary of the key properties of a substance and the hazards associated with its use.Material Safety Data sheets are not standardized, so its important to consult one provided by a respected source.Two chemicals that have the same name may have very different MSDS sheets because the particle size of the product and its purity may significantly affect its properties.MSDS sheets should be kept in an easy-to-find location and made accessible to all persons dealing with chemicals. Why Should I Care About a MSDS? Although MSDSs are targeted at workplaces and emergency personnel, any consumer can benefit from having important product information available. An MSDS provides information about proper storage of a substance, first aid, spill response, safe disposal, toxicity, flammability, and additional useful material. MSDSs are not limited to reagents used for chemistry, but are provided for most substances, including common household products such as cleaners, gasoline, pesticides, certain foods, drugs, and office and school supplies. Familiarity with MSDSs allows for precautions to be taken for potentially dangerous products; seemingly safe products may be found to contain unforeseen hazards. Where Do I Find Material Safety Data Sheets? In many countries, employers are required to maintain MSDSs for their workers, so a good place to locate MSDSs is on the job. Also, some products intended for consumer use are sold with MSDSs enclosed. College and university chemistry departments will maintain MSDSs on many chemicals. However, if you are reading this article online then you have easy access to thousands of MSDSs via the internet. There are links to MSDS databases from this site. Many companies have MSDSs for their products available online via their websites. Since the point of an MSDS is to make hazard information available to consumers and since copyrights dont tend to apply to restrict distribution, MSDS are widely available. Certain MSDSs, such as those for drugs, may be more difficult to obtain, but are still available upon request. To locate an MSDS for a product you will need to know its name. Alternate names for chemicals are often provided on the MSDS, but there is no standardized naming of substances. The  chemical name  or  specific name  is used most often to find MSDSs for health effects and protective measures.  IUPAC  (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) conventions are used more often than  common names.  Synonyms  are often listed on MSDSs.The  molecular formula  may be used to locate a chemical of known composition.You can usually search  for substance using  its  CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service)  registry number.  Different chemicals  may have the same name, but each will have its own CAS number.Sometimes the easiest way to locate a product is to search by  manufacturer.Products may be found using their  US Defense Department NSN. A National Supply Number is a four-digit FSC class code number plus a nine-digit National Item Identification Number or NIIN.A  trade name  or  product name  is the brand, commercial, or marketing name the manufacturer gives the product. It does not specify what chemicals are in the pr oduct or whether the product is a mixture of chemicals or a single chemical. A  generic name  or  chemical family name  describes a group of chemicals with related physical and chemical properties. Sometimes an MSDS will list only the generic name of a product, although in most countries laws require that chemical names also be listed. How Do I Use a MSDS? An MSDS might appear to be intimidating and technical, but the information is not intended to be difficult to understand. You might simply scan an MSDS to see if any warnings or hazards are delineated. If the content is difficult to understand there are online MSDS glossaries to help define any unfamiliar words and often contact information for further explanations. Ideally you would read an MSDS before obtaining a product so that you could prepare proper storage and handling. More often, MSDSs are read after a product is purchased. In this case, you can scan the MSDS for any safety precautions, health effects, storage cautions, or disposal instructions. MSDSs often list symptoms that might indicate exposure to the product. An MSDS is an excellent resource to consult when a product has been spilled or a person has been exposed to the product (ingested, inhaled, spilled on skin). The instructions on an MSDS do not replace those of a health care professional, but can be helpful emergen cy situations. When consulting an MSDS, keep in mind that few substances are pure forms of molecules, so the content of an MSDS will depend on the manufacturer. In other words, two MSDSs for the same chemical may contain different information, depending on the impurities of the substance or the method used in its preparation. Important Information Material Safety Data Sheets are not created equal. Theoretically, MSDSs can be written by pretty much anyone (although there is some liability involved), so the information is only as accurate as the authors references and understanding of the data. According to a 1997 study by OSHA one expert panel review established that only 11% of the MSDSs were found to be accurate in all of the following four areas: health effects, first aid, personal protective equipment, and exposure limits. Further, the  health effects  data on the MSDSs frequently are incomplete and the chronic data are often incorrect or less complete than the acute data. This doesnt mean that MSDSs are useless, but it does indicate that information needs to be used with caution and that MSDSs should be obtained from trustworthy and reliable sources. The bottom line: Respect the chemicals you use. Know their hazards and plan your response to an emergency before it happens!

Essential Facts You Need to Know About Planet Earth

Essential Facts You Need to Know About Planet Earth Earth is unique among the planets of our solar system; its particular conditions have given rise to all sorts of life, including millions of plant and animal species. The planet is incredibly diverse- it has tall mountains and deep valleys, humid forests and arid deserts, warm climates and cold. Its 195 countries are home to over 7.5 billion people. Key Takeaways: Planet Earth The third planet from the Sun, Earth has a unique physical and chemical composition that allows it to support a huge range of plant and animal life. Earth takes about 24 hours to complete one full rotation and about 365 days to complete one full revolution around the Sun. Earths highest recorded temperature is 134 degrees Fahrenheit, and its lowest is minus 128.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Circumference Measured at the equator, the circumference of the Earth is 24,901.55 miles. However, the Earth is not quite a perfect circle, and if you measure through the poles, the circumference is a bit shorter- 24,859.82 miles. The Earth is a bit wider than it is tall, giving it a slight bulge at the equator; this shape is known as an ellipsoid, or, more properly, a geoid. The Earths diameter at the equator is 7,926.28 miles, and its diameter at the poles is 7,899.80 miles. Rotation on Axis It takes the Earth 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 04.09053 seconds to complete a full rotation on its axis. However, it takes an additional four minutes for the Earth to revolve to the same position as the day before, relative to the sun (i.e. 24 hours). Revolution Around the Sun The Earth takes 365.2425 days to complete a full revolution around the Sun. A standard calendar year, however, is only 365 days. To correct for the drift, an additional day, known as a leap day, is added to the calendar every four years, thereby ensuring that the calendar year remains in sync with the astronomical year. Distance to the Sun and Moon Because the Moon follows an elliptical orbit around the Earth, and because the Earth follows an elliptical orbit around the Sun, the distance between Earth and these two bodies varies over time. The average distance between the Earth and the Moon is 238,857 miles. The average distance between Earth and the Sun is 93,020,000 miles. Water vs. Land Earth is 70.8 percent water and 29.2 percent land. Of this water, 96.5 percent is found within the Earths oceans, and the other 3.5 percent is found within freshwater lakes, glaciers, and polar ice caps. Chemical Composition The Earth is composed of 34.6 percent iron, 29.5 percent oxygen, 15.2 percent silicon, 12.7 percent magnesium, 2.4 percent nickel, 1.9 percent sulfur, and 0.05 percent titanium. Earths mass is about 5.97 x 1024 kilograms. Atmospheric Content Earths atmosphere is composed of 77 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and traces of argon, carbon dioxide, and water. The five main layers of the atmosphere, from lowest to highest, are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Highest Elevation The highest point on Earth is Mount Everest, a Himalayan peak that reaches 29,035 feet above sea level. The first confirmed ascent of the mountain took place in 1953. Tallest Mountain From Base to Peak Earths tallest mountain as measured from base to peak is Mauna Kea in Hawaii, which measures 33,480 feet. The mountain reaches 13,796 feet above sea level. Lowest Elevation on Land Earths lowest point on land is Israels Dead Sea, which reaches 1,369 feet below sea level. The sea is known for its high salt content, which allows swimmers to practically float in the water. Deepest Point in the Ocean Earths lowest point in the ocean is a section of the Mariana Trench known as Challenger Deep. It reaches 36,070 feet below sea level. High water pressure in this area makes exploring it very difficult. Highest Temperature The highest recorded temperature on Earth is 134 degrees Fahrenheit. It was recorded at Greenland Ranch in Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913. Lowest Temperature The lowest recorded temperature on Earth is minus 128.5 degrees Fahrenheit. It was recorded at Vostok, Antarctica, on July 21, 1983. Population As of December 2018, the world population is estimated to be 7,537,000,0000. The most populous countries are China, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil. Annual global population growth as of 2018 is estimated to be about 1.09 percent, which means that the population is increasing by 83 million people per year. Countries There are 195 countries in the world including the Holy See (the city-state of the Vatican) and the State of Palestine, both of which are recognized by the United Nations as non-member observer states. The worlds newest country is South Sudan, which was founded in 2011 after breaking away from the Republic of Sudan.

POLITICS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

POLITICS - Essay Example Although there are definitely many advantages to the structure of the political system in Britain, there has been great controversy and debate over the questionable matter of why center parties have failed to have more of an impact on British electoral politics, in particular since the start of the 1940s. In response to this, there are various issues that need to be taken into consideration, and the aim of this paper is to further discuss this matter, as well as the reasons and situations which can be used to explain this troubling situation. This is what will be dissertated in the following. The arrangement of government across the United Kingdom in general is considered as being rather complex and confusing. Presently there are some areas in England that are covered by parish councils, while many others, namely community councils, exist in Scotland and Wales. This is certainly nothing new, however, as British local government has been subject to major restructuring since as far back as the early 1940s. Prior to the mid-19th century, the Whigs and Tories pretty much dominated politics in Britain, the Whigs having been associated with the newly emerging industrialized classes, the Tories more with the landed gentry. The Whigs are often described as being one of the most popular political parties ever to reign in Britain, and although they were certainly present in the 1940s, they did not truly evolve until the late 1980s. The Whigs and Tories basically dominated the political scene until around 1920, which was about the time that the Liberal Party began to decline in ter ms of its popularity, and the Labour Party then stepped in to sort of take their place here, and since that point in time, it has been the Conservative and Labour Parties who have held the title of political domination in Britain. The Conservative Party is actually the second largest political party in the UK today, and as well the oldest in UK history. In regards to current policies, conservatives are "generally supportive of reduced government intervention in most matters. They are also noted for stance against further EU integration Conservatives hold a varying record of opposition and support on parliamentary devolution to the national the English regions of the UK. They opposed devolution to Wales and Scotland in 1997, whilst supporting it for Northern Ireland." (The British Journal of Politics and International Relations, 2006). The Labour Party, on the other hand, has been recognized as the principal party of the left in Britain since the late 1920s, and it is also known for being the largest party in the Welsh Assembly. Although these center parties do certainly still have an effect on British electoral politics, it has easily been recognized that this effect is much less impacting than it was a half century ago, and this issue is quite obviously one of great importance and necessity. The problem with party finance is one issue in particular which is considered as having played a major role in this situation, and the study of party finance as well as the resulting consequences are thus critical to take into account here. Parties have been continuing to spend more and more money over the years, and this has resulted in causing a number of different problems, in response to which several bills have actually been passed. One in particular

Oil and Nigeria Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Oil and Nigeria - Research Paper Example This found it into formalizing its trade by joining organizations formed by the colleagues in the oil exporting field in 1977. This also led to the introduction and gazzetting of Nigerian petroleum Production Company in the same year which was owned and managed by the Nigerian government. The shell oil company commenced with the oil production I Aloibiri immediately after discovery leading to attainment of production levels of about 2 million barrels in a day of crude oil. The economic recession that was experienced world wide in the 80’s saw Nigeria income from oil to decline sharply but later on came to regain in the early 2000’s after the economic recovery up to 2.5 million barrels. Nigerian governments have been having developmental programmes among them being raising the oil production to about 4 million barrels in a day. As a result of this trade dominating as a Nigerian only source of accounting to 90% of the gross earnings implying that the other economic factor s that were initially regarded as the countries chief economic activities like farming were no longer paid attention for. Corruption in Nigeria oil There has been a series of corruption activities in the oil industry since the time Nigerians realized the monitorial strength the country has been having. This was brought about mostly by the greed developed by the major stake holders to mass wealth by altering of information and hiding of others (Kurtz 123). Nigeria having being ranked as the eighth largest producing company and its level of corruption especially when it comes to oppressing the public and hence led to a loud outcry through out the country. This led to the current president to take the initiative to provide strategies for ending corruption on oil as a tool to win voted in the upcoming elections. Nigerians oil content has an exemplary content of having a large gasoline content which made it to be a hot cake product especially by the American countries. This therefore att racted many foreign investors into this lucrative business whereby a lot of interests had to exchange hands for them to survive in the industry. Ironically, despite the quantities of money made daily in this field, Nigeria is one of the top countries in Africa to record extremely poor people in the rural areas having more than 100 million of its population surviving on less than 1$ in a day (Koehn 121). It has been an embarrassing figure from the UN statistics when the percentage of the population living in abject poverty in such a nation exceeding 60 %. The major reason was known to be corruption which led to the amassing of wealth by the few greedy and also creating loop holes for the looting of the nation’s natural resources at the expense of the poor citizens. A research by Reuters has shown that despite promises by the government to eliminate corruption and sealing all the loop holes there has been disappearance of resources worth billions of dollars due the corrupt deal s from both the Nigerian leaders and dubious foreign investors. This led to the population going to the streets early this year and protests the countries over involvement in corruption deals. The major cry was the concerned of a prolonged increase in prices of oil in a producing country as a result of the subsidized graft disappearing into the pockets of few greedy leaders .This

High school Essay Example for Free

High school Essay Our country has gone through many changes and development for the past few years. The continuous process made great impacts in the lives of millions of Filipinos. There are many aspects concerning the issues and problems in the Philippine Educational System as to how we can resolve it the best way we could to attain that kind of quality of education we have been searching and longing for. The researcher found out that the educational system is complicated because (1) it does notprescribe the national development (2) it is not responsive to the basic needs of the country (3) the implementation of programs are not properly monitored (4) it does not suite the educational globalization and (5) there is too much politics in education. We all know that all of these are due to population explosion, globalization and of course, the fault of the government in the system. Another problem is that the gap existing between the private and the public school systems. In addition, the students in the Philippines cannot be considered competent due to different matters. Another thing is the recent statement of the Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. that students in the Philippines cannot pass the global standards of education. Therefore, there is a need for the reform of the entire educational system in the Philippines especially in the public school system because Public schools are the building blocks of our societies. They can be considered our foundational instruments. Although these venues of learning play significant roles, they are unable to provide the best they can, due to their numerous flaws and faults. Generally, Philippine Education aims to provide quality and free education both for the elementary and secondary public schools but again this have not been observed and understood well causing it to be a burden most especially to the students and parents. Declining standards in public schools is one of the most controversial education issues today is the continuing decline in student learning.

Portrayal of Jane Osborne in Vanity Fair Essay -- Victorian Era Willia

The Redundant Woman Thackeray’s portrayal of Jane Osborne in Vanity Fair is very troubling to the reader of the twentieth century. Grown to be a woman who is stuck under her tyrannical father’s roof, her life appears to be very confining and menial. Her sister snubs her, her nephew mocks her behind her back, her father mocks her to her face, and her main role in life seems to be as her father’s housekeeper. However, Thackeray’s portrayal would have had a very different effect on the Victorian reader. While all of these things which affronted us would have been equally awful to them, Thackeray uses another key phrase which has lost its effect on our modern minds: "that unfortunate and now middle-aged young lady" (448). Jane Osborne’s future has progressed from being uncertain, waiting somewhat impatiently for a suitor’s attentions, to a dreadful certainty; she is quickly becoming what the Victorians referred to as a â€Å"redundant woman.† Destiny A Victorian woman was bred up with the honored ideals of someday being â€Å"wives, daughters, and guardians of the home† (Parkinson). A model young woman was designed as a bargaining tool; her person, characteristics, skills, and, for those who were fortunate, dowry were key chips to be laid in a game of houses which defined the noblest aspirations of Victorian society. The very â€Å"spheres of influence† written about by so many authors of the time, both male and female, dictated that â€Å"what the woman is to be within her fates, as the centre of order, the balm of distress, and the mirror of beauty: that she is also to be without her fates, where order is more difficult, distress more imminent, loveliness more rare† (Ruskin). However, being bred for marriage produces a number of problems; hundre... ...n† has become very antiquated, and purposeless in a world where women have more and more opportunities for equal advancement, affirmative action, etc. It is interesting, however, to note that the ideas of â€Å"spheres of influence† still persist, though somewhat altered. Works Cited Greg, W. R. â€Å"Why Are Women Redundant?† (excerpt). Phoebe Junior. Elizabeth Langland. Broadview Literary Text. Toronto: Broadview Press Ltd., 2002. Pages 449-450. Ruskin, John. â€Å"Of Queen’s Gardens† (excerpt). Phoebe Junior. Elizabeth Langland. Broadview Literary Text. Toronto: Broadview Press Ltd., 2002. Pages 446-449. Parkinson, Allison. â€Å"Sphere Switching Polly, Work/Life Choices and the ‘redundant woman’ in 19th Century London.† November 9, 2004. Thackeray, William M. Vanity Fair. New York: Random House, Inc., 2001.

Malls in America

When observing an autocratic atmosphere, one’s mind, body and soul becomes engrossed within their surroundings. Richard Francaviglia highlights this perspective through his article â€Å"The Mall as Disneyland. † H e explains how Walt Disney’s Main Street USA has set the precedent for all malls around America because it incorporates all aspects that entice one to enter this environment. David Guterson maintains a similar perspective in relation to Francaviglia’s article. Guterson further enlightens the reader in his article â€Å"The Mall as Prison† on the negative effects the Mall of America has, compared to Disneyland. The previous articles have provided thorough explanations on the social atmosphere of malls, whereas Lizabeth Cohen’s article â€Å"The Mall as Threat to Democratic Values,† addresses the legal aspects of malls in America. Each article, although not identical in their views, are effective in explaining each aspect a mall in America encompasses by using strong evidence to support each position maintained throughout the articles. Walt Disney played a larger role in American society than just providing entertainment; many developers turn to his park, Main Street USA, for ideas when they are designing modern American shopping malls. Walt Disney purposely designed Main Street USA to create a joyful environment. He carefully designed each of his small towns to a specific feature. One of those towns, Main Street USA, sole purpose was social interaction. Shopping malls are an abstract reincarnation of Disney’s Main Street USA. According to Richard Francaviglia in his article â€Å"The Mall as Disneyland,† Disney’s Main Street does not feature those inevitable services that indicate the other side, or darker sides of life. † He did not have pool halls, bars, or funeral parlors in his town. Disney tried to make fantasy come true. He used magical lighting to brighten up his town at night. By placing abstract images in exact spots he made reality appear joyful. Like malls today, Disney made his town so perfect that people would not want to leave. David Guterson’s narrative about the Mall of America delves into several facets that are embedded throughout the mall both physically and mentally. A vivid description about the mall’s interior design makes the audience feel like they have visited the mall. Guterson describes how people, individually and as a society, are affected psychologically by this pseudo-metropolis. The grandeur of the mall is, without question, second to none. Shoppers are drawn to visit because of all the modern frills contained within. A theme ark, arcade, hundreds of shops, and eateries are the staples of the mall, but the gardens, flowers, and trees define the mall as being â€Å"the best of the best. † The atmosphere created by combining â€Å"Mother Earth† with twentieth century technology creates a certain mystique to the mall and gives the shopper a very comfortable place to spend the day or maybe even days. In â€Å"The Mall as Disneyland† Disney himself does not sh ow any form of dark side of life, he created an abstracted image that it is so tempting to confuse with reality. Main Street USA is not the only instance of a shopping center providing an alternate sense of reality. In David Guterson’s writing â€Å"The Mall as Prison†, malls are compared to prisons. Guterson writes about how every mall can be like a prison, or an entrapment for the mind. There are, as Guterson points out, no windows or clocks or anything else to distract you from your shopping. Therefore you are consumed in the atmosphere which was built for the sole purpose of spending money and not thinking of reality. In Lizabeth Cohen’s article she states the legal actions malls have to endure when confronted with situations of free speech and social class. Diverse social groups are no longer integrated into central consumer marketplaces but rather are confined to differentiated retail institutions, segmented markets, and new hierarchies. In â€Å"The Mall as Disneyland† and â€Å"The Mall as A Prison† you are not limited to public shopping malls, according to your social status. Everyone is treated equally. Their main goal is to consume you into their world, the owners of the malls have used business strategies to keep their public focused on one thing; buying. By keeping you engaged with majestic structures and great distractions of light shows, movie theatres, roller coaster and much more.