15 Mar
2017

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets – What ingredients are in a product?

Posted by Norman F

MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet

Do you worry about what is in that detergent or cleaning product?  How green is it really? What do I do if it gets on my skin? Is it dangerous?

We have often cited Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDS in our analysis of cleaning and construction products. What are they?

Newer SDS’s have a structured format and required information that MSDS’s were not required to have.

What is a SDSs or MSDS?

They are occupational safety and health documents used to describe a products ingredients, what they are, are they hazardous, how to store them, reactivity, storage, disposal, toxicity, health affects, what should be done if there is an accident, regulatory issues, etc. Vendors have to undertake manufacturing, distribution, use and disposal of hazardous materials and chemicals to complete these documents.  There are even MSDS docs for things like Mustard gas, VX Nerve gas!

OSHA and the EPA set up regulations that require MSDS documents on certain products. Harmful substances used in the workplace are required to have these documents.

Related versions of documents are safety data sheet (SDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS).

Where can I find SDSs or MSDS documents

Often manufacturers have links to SDSs or MSDS documents on their website or require you to email them asking for them.  This site has links to many MSDS docs.  NIH has a database of Household Products.

When checking out the greenness of a product, be sure to look for its MSDS document and READ it. Email or call the company and ask for an MSDS document.

They are not meant for consumers! An SDS reflects the hazards of working with the material in an occupational fashion – everyday. For example, an SDS for paint is not highly pertinent to someone who uses a can of paint once in a while, but is extremely important to someone who uses that paint 40 hours a week.

Still knowing the hazards involved in working with a material are good. Ingredient lists, etc.. More information is better.

Costco SDS and MSDS Information

How do you get safety information for Costco product? Calling Costco at 800-774-2678 lead to a recommendation to call their supplier for these products, Huish detergents – Sun Products, at 800-776-6702.  You can call them and ask for the MSDS documents.

Green Household Products

Many people are learning to use MSDS documents to understand how toxic a product is. We have several blog posts with lists of Greener alternatives household products.

Household Product Ingredients

zindex - clean up your css
Creative Commons License photo credit: crd!

SC Johnson, makers of Pledge and Windex has a new site that lists ingredients in their products.    I noticed that the website contains most of their products, including the Windex products shown on the home page of the site.  You no longer have to dig for MSDS documents. Clearly the green oriented brands like Seventh Generation, Method, and the like are starting to affect the mainstream brands.

SC Johnson created their own Greenlist label to indicate how green their products were. A consumer, Wayne Koh has actually sued them over this label.

“Through our Greenlist™ process, each potential ingredient receives a rating from 3 to 0. An ingredient with a 3 rating is considered “Best,” 2 is “Better,” 1 is “Acceptable” and 0-rated materials are used only on a limited, approved basis when there is not a viable alternative. Whenever possible, we work toward replacing these 0-rated materials with those that have a preferable environmental or health profile.”

A consumer who sued cited paying about 50% more and not getting a product that was very green.

This article describes the efforts and covers the controversy behind some chemicals like monoethanolamine in Mr Clean and Formula 409. 2-butoxyethanol in Simple Green is another chemical that I would just avoid.

Have you ever looked at a MSDS or SDS document?

Posted on March 15th, 2017
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26 Responses to “Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheets – What ingredients are in a product?”

  1. J Connolly Says:

    Please send me MSDS information on Kirkland Dishwashing Detergent.

  2. Margie Halsell Says:

    Please send me MSDS information for Kirland Laundry Detergent. Thanks so much.

  3. easy eco blog Says:

    Please call Costco at 1-800-955-2292 and ask for them for the MSDS information.

  4. Karen Hirtle Says:

    Please send me the MSDS sheets for Kirkland dishwashing detergent.

    Thank you.

  5. easy eco blog Says:

    call Costco for this information

  6. Green Spring Cleaning Tips | Easy Eco Blog Says:

    […] how to check on the products and ingredients by reading MSDS […]

  7. Steve Meamber Says:

    To meet safety requirements and to be able to use your product, my company needs msds sheets for the Kirkland Automatic Dishwashing Detergent. Please email this to us or show us how to find it on the web. Thank you.

  8. easy eco blog Says:

    call Costco at 800-774-2678

  9. ez lite logs Says:

    When I called the phone number given for Costco (800-774-2678), I was told by the rep. that they did not have msds sheets available and that I would have to go to a Costco store. We are over 50 miles from the nearest Costco. This is not very user friendly MSDS on Costco’s part.

  10. easy eco blog Says:

    You should ask rep makes the particular Costco brand product and call the manufacturer to get the MSDS sheets. Costco outsources most products to other vendors.

  11. DR. Stark Says:

    please send msds sheets on kirkland laundry detergent itam #119903 and also kirkland fabric softener sheets

  12. Why Are So Few Chemicals Tested? - Toxic Substances Control Act | Easy Eco Blog Says:

    […] sure to read those ingredient lists and MSDS documents. […]

  13. Green Summer Preparation Tips and Season Home Preparation Tips | Easy Eco Blog Says:

    […] how to check on the products and ingredients by reading MSDS […]

  14. Sylvia Wycinsky Says:

    I need the MSDS Sheets for:
    Kirkland Ultra Clean Laundry Detergent
    Kirkland softenerSSheets

    Thank you

  15. Norman Fong Says:

    Please contact the company listed above. Only they can send it out.

  16. Joan Bryant Says:

    Please supply current MSDS sheets for
    KIRKLAND DISHWASHER PACS

  17. Norman Fong Says:

    You need to contact the phone number listed above, we cannot distribute their information.

  18. K. F. Says:

    Please supply me with the current MSDS sheets for
    KIRKLAND DISHWASHER PACS

    Thank you

  19. Norman F Says:

    You need to call Costco at: 1-800-955-2292

    This is their product and we cannot give out their information.

  20. Maureen Says:

    I have a copy of the SDS for Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean Laundry Pacs if anyone needs a copy. You can call me at (805) 682-9345 I did get it by calling the Costco number above but got the run around for quite awhile

  21. BRYANT HOLLAND Says:

    CAN YOU PLEASE SEND ME THE MSDS SHEETS FOR LAUNDRY DETERGENT SUPER CONCENTRATE

  22. Norman F Says:

    You need to call the 800 number above to get this MSDS document.

  23. Judi Hicklin Says:

    Why don’t you publish your new SDS ( safety data sheets on-line like every other company. Why should I have to call forit.
    You are the ONLY COMPANY THAT DOES NOT PUBLISH ON-LINE!!

  24. Norman F Says:

    Because we are just a green blog, not the company itself. Yes companies should be more open about them.

  25. Eileen Baker Says:

    Hi, I am working in a long day care centre and we use your product Kirkland Signature laundry detergeant powder form.
    I need product datas sheets for this as a requirement from the Department of Early education. could you please email these to me as we have our assessment and rating happening soon and this is a requirement.
    regards,

    Eileen Baker.

  26. Norman F Says:

    Please call 1 (800) 774-2678 and asks for the SDS document.

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