Safety - Field Sampling: Principles and Practices in Environmental Analysis - page 104

TABLE 4.7 MSDS Sheet Contents

Section Topics covered

1 Chemical product and company identification

2 Composition and information on ingredients

3 Emergency overview

4 First aid measures

5 Fire-fighting measures

6 Accidental release measures

7 Handling and storage

8 Exposure controls, personal protection

9 Physical and chemical properties

10 Stability and reactivity

11 Toxicological information

12 Ecological information

13 Disposal considerations

14 Transport information

15 Regulatory information

16 Additional information

situations. An MSDS sheet discusses the fact that zinc may explode or ignite on contact
with water. This is not applicable to zinc ions in soil that are at very low concentration,
however. Material safety data sheets must be interpreted in relationship concentrations
and form of material present and to the activity undertaken [5].

4.14. MERCK INDEX

The Merck Index is a particularly valuable resource because it provides information about
the chemical properties, uses, and toxicity of a chemical. For instance, arsenic is toxic,
but it is also commonly used in many items we come in contact with everyday.
Additional important information is the LD 50 of chemicals. The LD 50 is that amount
(dose) of a chemical or element that when administered to 100 animals will cause fifty of
them to die. Also given is the method of administering the dosage. It may be orally, as in
drinking, inhalation, as in breathing, dermal adsorption, or by injection. This gives an
indication of the part or parts of the body that must be protected.
Dosage gives one, and only one, indication of how dangerous a compound is. Dose is
given in kilogram, gram, or milligram (kg, g, mg) of compound or element administered