Health information in material safety data sheets for a chemical that causes asthma

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of health information on material safety d ata sheets ((MSDS) for a workplace chemical that is well known to cause or exacerbate asthma (toluene diisocyanate, TDI), DESIGN: We reviewed a random sample of 61 MSDSs for TDI products produced b y 30 manufacturers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two physicians independently abstracted data from each MSDS onto a standardized audit form. One manufacturer provided n o language about any respiratory effects of TDI exposure. Asthma was listed as a potential health effect by only 15 of the 30 manufacturers (50%). Lis ting asthma in the MSDS was associated with higher toluene diisocyanate con centrations In the product (P <.042), Allergic or sensitizing respiratory r eactions were listed by 21 manufacturers (70%), CONCLUSIONS: Many MSDSs for toluene diisocyanate do not communicate clearly that exposure can cause or exacerbate asthma. This suggests that physician s should not rely on the MSDS for Information about health effects of this chemical.