Safety: Making Sense of MSDS Terminology, Part 3

Oct. 8, 2013
Product labels and MSDS include terminology that might be unclear. Sometimes, the words have special meanings under the federal Hazardous Communication Standard. Other times, they're easy to get confused. A case in point is keeping straight the meanings of acid, base, alkali, and caustic. The last three all mean the same thing. So do you buffer an acid with a high pH solution or a low pH solution? It might seem logical that a low pH is a base, given other uses for the word base (e.g., the base is at the bottom). Actually, the opposite is true. To dilute a substance identified as a base (caustic, alkali), don't add something from a container showing a pH of 12.0. You need to add an acid (low pH), instead. To avoid confusion, use the first letters at each end of the numerical scale. "A" comes before "B", so it goes on the left (near the "one").

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.