1. How to Interpret a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
By:
Dan Nickey
Program Manager
Iowa Air Emission Assistance Program (IAEAP) at
the
Iowa Waste Reduction Center

2. Information Found on a MSDS
Hazardous air pollutants
Physical characteristics
Density
Volatile organic compound (VOC) content
Solid content
Material classification

3. Hazardous Air Pollutants
Should be an exact percent, if a range you must take the highest value
Look up components by CAS number

4. Finding the Material Weight/Density
May be listed on the MSDS
Calculate from the material’s specific gravity and multiply by the weight of water (8.34 lb/gal)
0.99 x 8.34 lb/gal = 8.26 lb/gal

5. VOC Content VOC content must be by weight (lb/gal) : 4.96 lb/gal
If listed as a percent multiply by the material weight
8.26 lb/gal x 60% = 4.96 lb/gal

6. Solid Content Listed by weight: example 3.3 lb/gal
Listed as Percent by weight:
Multiply solid % by weight of the material = solid content
Not listed

7. Solid Content: Not Listed
Subtract VOC content from the material weight
8.26 lb/gal – 4.96 lb VOC/gal = 3.3 lb/gal Solid

8. Material Classification
Welding rod classification

9. MSDS
Any calculation that uses information from an MSDS must be included in the inventory submittal
All MSDS must be the most recent version
All MSDS must be submitted with the MSEI