Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 11:24:35 -0500
Reply-To: Robert Belford <rebelford**At_Symbol_Here**UALR.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Robert Belford <rebelford**At_Symbol_Here**UALR.EDU>
Subject: MSDS question

We keep manufacturer's MSDS for the compounds we use in the labs.  Let's say we have solid potassium permanganate from JT Baker.

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/P6005.htm

and we create a 0.1N solution for a lab like

http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/P6008.htm

and a student drinks a gallon of the stuff...!#$**At_Symbol_Here**!....

Should we induce vomiting?

The actual MSDS for the solid that we bought says no, while if we had bought the solution we made, it would say yes.  

Now, my question is not really should we induce/not induce vomiting for this hypothetical and hopefully absurd scenario, but is it sufficient to provide manufacture's MSDS in a stock room based on the material purchased.  This scenario indicates to me that such a system is inadvisable, yet I suspect, that for obvious reasons, it is common.  I mean, you buy a chemical, and you file the manufacturer's MSDS for the chemical you bought.  That seems logical and prudent, although I doubt it is, yet, I am sure such practice is common in industry and many academic labs.  Does anyone have a written policy for filing MSDS that covers this?

Also, are there other cases where dilution changes first aid procedures?

Thanks,
Bob Belford





*****************************************
Dr. Robert E. Belford
Department of Chemistry
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 S. University 
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
rebelford**At_Symbol_Here**ualr.edu
501-569-8824
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