Department of Facilities Management → Systemwide Safety Programs → Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous Chemicals

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Chemical Information List (CIL)

Hazardous Chemical Spills 

MCPS Approved Products List

Science - Prohibited Chemicals

Science Chemical Inventory 

 

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

A safety data sheet (SDS) is a document that provides safety and health-related information for a specific chemical product. Chemical manufacturers, distributors, and vendors are required to provide SDSs for all chemical products they supply to employers. Employers are required to collect and maintain SDSs for all chemical products their employees use. Employers must also provide ready access to SDSs for employees and train employees how to read and understand them.

Information provided by SDSs include:

  • Hazardous chemical ingredients
  • Properties of each chemical (odor, appearance, flammability, reactivity, etc.)
  • Associated physical, health, and environmental health hazards
  • Appropriate protective measures and personal protective equipment for product use
  • Safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting the chemical.
 

PLEASE NOTE: SDSs are currently available online for the following facilities:

  • Damascus HS, Montgomery Blair HS, Rockville HS, Seneca Valley HS, Sherwood HS, Springbrook HS, Wheaton HS
  • John T. Baker MS, White Oak MS, Julius West MS
  • Kensington Parkwood ES, Viers Mill ES, Wilson Wims ES
  • Lincoln Center: DMM Warehouse, DMM Print Shop, Copy Plus, DOM Auto Shop, DOM Boiler Shop, DOM Heavy Equipment Repair Shop
 

How do I find MCPS' online SDSs?


Training


  • Choose the facility whose SDSs you would like to view.
  • For this example, we selected 'DAMASCUS HS':

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  • Next, click the 'Search' button to access a list of 'DAMASCUS HS' chemical products:

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  • To view and/or download a product/s SDS, click the PDF icon next to the product name:

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  • A PDF SDS opens, which can be saved and/or printed:

Training 


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Chemical Information List (CIL)

A list of hazardous chemicals stored in the workplace must be maintained, and MCPS requires that all facilities maintain and update a Chemical Information List (CIL) listing all their hazardous chemical products. Common hazardous chemical products include science chemicals, cleaning products, paints, glues, compressed gases, fuels, oils and greases, art products, and wood that will be sawn or sanded.

Hard copy CILs must be maintained in the main administrative office and made available upon request to employees, SSP, and government regulators.


Chemical Information Lists


Additions to Chemical Information List (CIL)

All MCPS facilities are required to provide information for CIL additions to Systemwide Safety Programs. Additions should be reported using the Additions to Chemical Information List (CIL) form below.


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Hazardous Chemical Spills

Response Procedures for a Hazardous Chemical Spill, Including Any Mercury Spill:

*Incidental spills may be cleaned up by facility staff.

  • Evacuate, isolate the room or immediate area;
  • Call 911 if severe, or immediate help is needed;
  • Provide first aid, as needed;
  • Open windows and turn off HVAC, if safe to do so;
  • Contact SSP 240-314-1070; 301-370-2141 or Environmental Services/Indoor Air Quality, Division of Maintenance, 240-740-2520 immediately;
  • If safe to do so, sequester potentially contaminated materials and occupants in nearby hall or room;
  • Implement 'Shelter In Place', if needed;
  • Do not attempt to clean the spill. 

*An incidental spill is a spill of a hazardous substance that does not pose a significant safety or health hazard to employees in the immediate vicinity or to the employee cleaning it up, and does not have the potential to become an emergency within a short time frame. Incidental spills are limited in quantity, exposure potential, or toxicity and present minor safety or health hazards to employees in the immediate work area or those assigned to clean them up. An incidental spill may be safely cleaned up by employees who are familiar with the hazards of the chemicals with which they are working.

 

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MCPS Approved Products List

Only MCPS-approved chemicals/products (on current procurement bid list) may be used and/or stored at MCPS schools/facilities. Any new products/chemicals must be reviewed and approved by Environmental Services/IAQ, Division of Maintenance, or Systemwide Safety Programs before they may be brought to MCPS facilities.

The MCPS Approved Products List, which lists all chemical products reviewed for use in MCPS facilities, is below. The list indicates if products have been approved or prohibited for MCPS use.


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Science - Prohibited Chemicals

Substances listed below are PROHIBITED for use or storage in schools.

Explosive substances (This is not a complete list of explosive substances.):

  • Benzoyl Peroxide
  • Carbon Disulfide
  • Diisopropyl Ether
  • Ethyl Ether
  • Picric Acid
  • Perchloric Acid
  • Potassium metal
  • Sodium Azide

Known or probable human carcinogenic substances listed below shall not be used or stored by MCPS and are prohibited:

  • Acrylonitrile
  • Ammonium chromate
  • Aniline (or any of its salts)
  • Anthracene
  • Antimony trichloride
  • Arsenic Pentoxide
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Asbestos
  • Benzene
  • Benzidine
  • Beryllium Carbonate
  • Cadmium Powder
  • Cadmium Sulfate
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (IV) Oxide
  • Chromium Powder
  • Colchicine
  • Dichloroethane
  • Diethyl Sulfate
  • Dimethyl Sulfate
  • Dioxane (p-Dioxane)
  • Ethylene Oxide
  • Formaldehyde
  • Hexachlorophene
  • Hydrofluoric acid
  • Hydroquinone
  • Lead Acetate
  • Lead Arsenate
  • Lead carbonate
  • Lead Diacetate
  • Mercuric chloride
  • Methyl methacrylate
  • Nickel Carbonyl
  • Nickel Powder
  • Nickel Subsulfide
  • Nicotine
  • Osmium Tetraoxide
  • O-Toludine
  • p-Dichlorobenzene
  • Phthalic anhydride
  • Pyrogailic Acid
  • Sodium Arsenate
  • Sodium Arsenite
  • Sulfuric Acid, Fuming (= Oleum)  [regular sulfuric acid is NOT banned]
  • Thioacetamide
  • Toluene
  • Urethane (Ethyl Carbamate)
  • Vinyl Chloride

Highly toxic substances:

  • Mercury (shall not be used or stored under any conditions)
  • Phosphorus (white)
  • Phosphorus Pentoxide
  • Potassium Cyanide
  • Potassium Periodate
  • Silver Cyanide
  • Sodium Cyanide

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Science Chemical Inventory

Secondary school science departments are required to complete a thorough science chemical inventory annually. A job hazard analysis describing required safety procedures for conducting a science lab chemical inventory is provided below.


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Chemical Information List Form

A spreadsheet, which may be used to create chemical information lists (CILs), is provided below. CILs and safety data sheets (SDSs) for science lab chemicals should be printed and stored near the chemical storage room. Please note the following when entering chemical data:

  • When entering chemical names, CAS numbers should be included, if possible
  • ‘Container Type’ can include: glass bottle, plastic jar, glass vial, aluminum can, cardboard drum, plastic bag, metal can, etc.
  • ‘Total Amount’ is the estimated maximum quantity expected to be at the facility at any time during the year
  • ‘Date Brought’ is the date on which the chemical was introduced to the facility

  • Chemical Information List Form
 

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