There are many chemicals and materials that can be hazardous to your health if used or stored improperly. These materials are often found in schools, and not just in the chemistry classroom! The art department, the theatre department, the janitorial department, even the school office, are common locations for hazardous materials.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) are designed for workers and emergency personnel and provide information about safety precautions and procedures for handling these hazardous materials. Information includes physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.), toxicity, health risks, first aid, storage, disposal, safety equipment, spill/leak procedures, and more. MSDS's for hazardous materials can be requested from a supplier at the time of purchase, and should be kept in an easily-accessible file.