MSDS Information MSDSs provide information on the physical characteristics and health hazards of chemicals, similar to container labels, only in much greater detail. The physical characteristics of a chemical also have a bearing on the risks that the chemical can pose under work conditions. For instance the volatility of a chemical will determine the degree to which it will mix with air to form a flammable mixture or a toxic concentration. Volatility increases with temperature, so comparisons between liquids should be made for the same temperature. The higher the vapor pressure of a liquid, the more readily it will evaporate to form a flammable or toxic atmosphere.
Flash point is the term used to indicate how flammable a chemical is.
The flash point of a chemical is the temperature at which a vapor in an enclosed space, will flash, or explode when a spark is set off in the space. Chemicals with flash points below 100 F are very hazardous and are considered flammable. The lower the flash point, the greater the potential of fire or explosion. Health Hazards Several types of information are available on MSDSs to help protect people from health risks posed by chemical products. Symptoms of overexposure warn employees how they could be affected by the chemical.