01-06-2012, 01:42 PM
Compilation of MSDS for the 708+ Hazardous, Toxic
and/or Flammable Chemicals
Compilation of MSDS for the 708+ Hazardous.pdf (Size: 2.77 MB / Downloads: 204)
Objective
The objective of the project to was prepare a database and a compact disc of
the Material safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the 708 hazardous, toxic and or
flammable chemicals (as per the list provided by CPCB) in the appropriate
format.
Background
In India, it is estimated that more than 10 million chemicals are used
commercially. Industrial chemicals comprise almost two thirds of these
chemicals. There is a wide range of hazards posed by chemicals. These
have been classified according to their physico-chemical properties, reactivity
and toxicity and the type of hazards these exhibit (flammability, toxicity etc.)
These have also been classified according to their use pattern or application
(for example pharmaceuticals, pesticides etc.). In order to act in a reasonable
safe manner and handle all the chemicals with due respect it is essential to
first obtain a comprehensive information on the hazards originating from
them. Although the minimum relevant information on common hazards may
be available from the product catalogue and labels of the containers etc.,
more detailed but essential information is often found on the Material Safety
Data Sheets, commonly abbreviated MSDS.
Development of database for MSDS
Digitization of data
It is observed that the information on various aspects of chemicals that has
been collected from so many different sources is not in a uniform format. For
example, the information available in the conventional form like books,
monographs, texts etc is available as a hard copy. While that obtained from
the Internet or other sources is in digital form (HTML, RTF, PDF, WORD etc)
Since the objective of the project is to compile the safety information for
chemicals in a digital form, the first priority was to convert all the available
data into digital form, Thus, all those data that were available as a hard copy
and required to be input into the final version were digitized, (scanned using a
HP scan jet 7400c model) and saved as a PDF file.
Organization of the database:
i. Arrangement of chemicals in the database:
The list of chemicals provided by CPCB for 708 chemicals purports to
be a list that has chemicals taken from the schedule 1 part (ii),
schedule 2, and PLI rules. However, it is observed that the list does not
have entries at S. Nos. 210, 355, 376, 377 & 599. In addition many a
chemicals that have been listed have generic names (xxx and salts,
xx metal, oxides, carbonate, sulphides as powder; xx salts, esters,
amides; xx and compounds.