January 17, 2001

MEMORANDUM FOR Scientific and Technical Staff

Subject:    Proper Use of NIST Safety Labels for Chemicals

NIST has a colored chemical safety labeling system. The color is chosen based on the highest hazard level found in three categories:

1. Flammability
2. Reactivity
3. Health Hazard

The health hazard category is further divided into four different routes of interaction: skin absorption, inhalation, ingestion or eye/skin contact.

MSEL has provided the color codes for several thousand common chemicals in a binder labeled "MSEL Chemical Inventory Hazard Information". This binder is kept in the bookcase next to the fax machine. The information is tabulated in order of the CAS number.

If you can not find entry for your chemical, use the chemical's MSDS to determine the proper color code based upon the "NIST Labeling Guide". The guide is a color-coded chart found in most of the laboratories.

Owner/Date Labels:
Often, chemicals purchased from outside vendors already have hazard warning information written on the vendor's label. For these containers, only a color-coded owner/date label is needed.

Full NIST safety labels and the color-coded owner/date labels can be found either in the bookcase next to the fax machine or in lab E138.

Last modified 29-March-2002