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MSDS and ToxNet

Hello,

In this blog assignment I will be reviewing the MSDS and answering the following questions: Ethanol

  • What are the health risks associated with this chemical?
    • The health risks associated with ethanol are eye irritation, skin irritation, and specific target organ toxicity. 
  • Is the chemical a carcinogen?
    • Ethanol is a chemical
  • What personal protective equipment or special precautions should be taken when working with this chemical?
    • When working with this chemical eye/face protection like wearing chemical safety googles and face shield should be used. Skin protection like wearing chemical protective clothing (gloves, boots, apron). Respiratory protection like wearing a NIOSH approved air-purifying respirator with an organic vapor cartridge should be used. 
  • If this is a chemical found in your workplace, what training/education were you given about any risks associated with this chemical?
    • I don't work with this chemical now, but I have in the past. When I used to work with this chemical I don't recall being provided educated with the risks associated with this chemical. I was trained on the proper use of this chemical and protective wear but not health risks associated. 
Given that ethanol can be used for various things it was difficult to find a report that was similar to the MSDS report. There were some discrepancies between ToxNet and MSDS. From my experience MSDS had a well structure report in comparison to ToxNet. 

I thought that the report was easy to read for someone who has a scientific background. I am not sure I would say someone with the 6th grade reading level would find it to be an easy read. It is simplified information, but from a first look at can appear to be overwhelming. I personally found the ToxNet report to be difficult to read. I can't imagine what a person with a 6th grade level would think of that report.  

You may see the report on:
 https://chemmanagement.ehs.com/9/pdf/libraryID=TOD870&pageID=3&newWindow=true&autoOpened=false&documentQueueID=0


-Iliana






Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 3, 2018 at 8:38 PM

    Hi Iliana,

    Thanks for posting about Ethanol- interesting stuff! I never would have known that respiratory protection like wearing a NIOSH approved air-purifying respirator with an organic vapor cartridge should be used when handling Ethanol. I'm sad that you had to work with this chemical in the past, but weren't properly trained- that seems very dangerous and I hope whatever job you were at was either fined or shut down! This chemical seems so dangerous if not handled properly, and as we've learned in this class time and time again, EVERY WORKER deserves access to proper education and handling when it comes to any and all chemicals/work equipment/toxins/etc.

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  2. Navdeep BrarNovember 4, 2018 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Iliana,

    I enjoyed reading your post about Ethanol and its toxicity. I used to use ethanol a lot at my past job to clean off equipment between each patient; this was usually the chin rests on the machines that we used to use. I never wore gloves or any other protective gear when I used it and it was never something that seemed of big concern to me. To me it was simply rubbing alcohol. Yet I can understand how this chemical can be toxic. It does have a strong sent that can irritate the throat and nose. For the MSDS that I read, I would also say that the information of the chemicals were much easier to read and better organized than the on the ToxNet website. Like yourself, I believe having a scientific background makes these easier to read, but these would need to be presented in a simpler way so that all people can understand it.

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