A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that contains information on the potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity and environmental) and how to work safely with the chemical product. It is an essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program. It also contains information on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedures all related to the hazards of the material. The MSDS contains much more information about the material than the label. MSDSs are prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material. It is intended to tell what the hazards of the product are, how to use the product safely, what to expect if the recommendations are not followed, what to do if accidents occur, how to recognize symptoms of overexposure, and what to do if such incidents occur.

 

Below is the actual Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for paraffin. We have highlighted in red the areas we believe you should be concerned with. To download a copy of the document, a link is available below to the right.

 

Material Safety Data Sheet — Paraffin

 

 

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS): Acute Health: 1 Fire: 1 Reactivity:

 

PRODUCT NAME: BULK LIQUID

 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Liquid Wax; in bulk for refillable cartridges.

 

PRODUCT CATEGORY: PETROLEUM SOLVENT

 

PRODUCT APPEARANCE AND ODOR: Clear water-white liquid, essentially odorless

 

GENERAL USE: Used in refillable cartridges for lamps.

 

 

COMPONENTS CAS NO. OF COMPONENTS APPROXIMATE

 

Paraffin?s (petroleum), normal c5-20 64771-72-8 100%

 

EINECS Number: 265-233-4 EU Classification: Xn; R65

 

This product, as manufactured, does not contain polychlorinated biphenyl?s (PCB?s).

 

Under normal conditions of use this product is not considered hazardous according to regulatory guidelines. Product is clear, colorless liquid. Exposure to fire can generate toxic fumes.

 

PRECAUTIONARY LABELING: label on bottom of 924-12ct bottles. Never leave burning cartridge unat­tended. Keep from children etc...

 

EYE CONTACT: Eye irritant upon direct contact.

 

SKIN CONTACT: May cause skin irritation or dermatitis upon prolonged contact.

 

INGESTION: Low viscosity material – if swallowed may enter the lungs and cause lung damage.

 

INHALATION: May cause headaches, dizziness, anesthesia, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and other CNS effects, INCLUDING DEATH.

 

 

 

EYE CONTACT: If splashed into the eyes. Remove contact lenses, then flush with clear water for 15 minutes or until irritation subsides. If irritation persists, call for medical attention.

 

SKIN CONTACT: In case of skin contact, remove any contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water. Launder or dry clean clothing before reuse. If product is injected into or under the skin, or into any part of the body, regardless of the appearance of the wound or its size, the individual should be evaluated immedi­ately by a physician as a surgical emergency. Even though initial symptoms from high-pressure injection may be minimal or absent, early surgical treatment within the first few hours may significantly reduce the ultimate extent of injury.

 

INHALATION: If overcome by vapor, respiratory irritation, dizziness, nausea, or unconsciousness occurs remove from exposure and call a physician immediately. If breathing is irregular or has stopped, start resuscitation, administer oxygen, if available.

 

INGESTION: Do not induce vomiting; call a physician immediately.

 

Note to physicians: If material is aspirated into the lungs it may cause chemical pneumonitis. Pre-existing medical conditions, which may be aggravated by exposure petroleum solvents / petroleum hydrocarbons – skin contact may aggravate an existing dermatitis.

 

 

 

COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: Carbon monoxide, Carbon dioxide, water.

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA AND FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: Foam, water spray (fog), dry chemi­cal, carbon dioxide and vaporizing liquid type extinguishing agents may all be suitable for extinguishing fires involving this type of product, depending on size or potential size of fire and circumstances related to the situ­ation. Plan fire protection and response strategy through consultation with local fire protection authorities or appropriate specialists.

 

SPECIAL FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxide to extin­guish the fire. Use water to keep fire-exposed containers cool. If a leak or spill has not ignited, use water spray to disperse the vapors and to provide protection for persons attempting to stop a leak. Water spray may be used to flush spills away from exposures. Minimize breathing of gases, vapor, fumes or decomposition products.

 

SPECIAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: For fires in confined spaces or enclosed areas, fire fighters must use self-contained breathing apparatus.

 

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Exposure to fire can generate toxic fumes.

 

DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS: Fumes, smoke, carbon monoxide, alde­hydes and other decomposition products, in the case of incomplete combustion.

 

WORK PRACTICES / ENGINEERING CONTROLS: To prevent fire or explosion risk from static accumula­tion and discharge, effectively bond and/or ground product transfer system in accordance with (THE) National Fire Protection Association publications.

 

Material Safety Data Sheet — Paraffin

 

Click here to download a copy of the MSDS.