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The MSDS lists information
on the physical properties of the chemical.
Vapor density tells you whether the chemical vapors are heavier or
lighter than air. Those with vapor densities
greater than one are heavier than air and will tend to sink to the ground in
poorly ventilated areas. Chemicals
with vapor densities less than one are lighter than air and will tend to
rise. Vapor density helps in
determining where chemical vapors will accumulate in poorly ventilated
areas. Vapor pressure tells you
something about how volatile a chemical is.
The higher the vapor pressure the greater the tendency for the
chemical to evaporate. Chemicals with
vapor pressures less than one are not very volatile. You don’t have to worry as much about
breathing in these chemicals. The MSDS
will also give you information on what the chemical looks and smells like. That way you may be able to tell if a
chemical has been released in your work area.
There chemical odor threshold may be listed. The odor threshold is the airborne
concentration at which most people can smell the chemical. Don’t rely on your nose to detect chemicals
with odor thresholds that are above the PELs or TLVs. You could be overexposed before you smell
the chemical.
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