We get a lot of interesting questions from our customers, and from time to time we like to share the answers with you. The latest question was from a company that wanted to know if they needed a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for exhaust.
The short answer is no; OSHA, as part of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), does not require an MSDS for exhaust. The HCS does; however, require that the hazards of exhaust be listed on the MSDSs for diesel fuel and gasoline. Furthermore, employers are required by OSHA’s General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, Section 5(a)(1), to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”
So, while employers do not have to supply MSDSs for exhaust, they are required to inform employees about potential hazards and to address them in a responsible manner.
If you would like to learn more about Diesel exhaust and OSHA’s instructions for employers, visit OSHA’s Web page on Diesel Exhaust. Engine Builder also has an informative article on its website.
Below is OSHA's list of the most common chemicals emitted by diesel engines as well as information about OSHA’s exposure limits:
Major Components
- Carbon dioxide
- Carbon Dioxide in Workplace Atmospheres. OSHA Analytical Method ID-172, (1990, June).
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon Monoxide in Workplace Atmospheres. OSHA Analytical Method ID-210, (1991, March).
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Nitrogen Dioxide In Workplace Atmospheres (Ion Chromatography). OSHA Analytical Method ID-182, (1991, May).
- Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 6014, (1994, August 15), 30 KB PDF, 5 pages.
- Nitric oxide
- Nitric Oxide In Workplace Atmospheres. OSHA Analytical Method ID-190, (1991, May).
- Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 6014, (1994, August 15), 30 KB PDF, 5 pages.
- Particulates not otherwise regulated (Total Dust)
- Gravimetric Determination. OSHA Analytical Method PV2121, (2003, March),
- Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated, Total. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 0500, (1994, August 15), 20 KB PDF, 3 pages.
- Diesel Particulate Matter (as Elemental Carbon). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 5040, (2003, March 15), 122 KB PDF, 5 pages.,
- Sulfur dioxide
- Sulfur Dioxide (Silver nitrate silica gel tube). OSHA Analytical Method 1011, (2007, November).
- Sulfur Dioxide in Workplace Atmospheres (Bubbler). OSHA Analytical Method ID-104, (1989, December).
- Sulfur Dioxide in Workplace Atmospheres (Impregnated Activated Beaded Carbon). OSHA Analytical Method ID-200, (1992, April).
- Sulfur Dioxide. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 6004, (1994, August 15), 30 KB PDF, 4 pages.
Minor Components
- Acrolein
- Acrolein and/or Formaldehyde. OSHA Analytical Method 52, (1989, June).
- Aldehydes, Screening. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 2539, (1994, August 15), 255 KB PDF, 10 pages.
- o-Anisaldehyde
- Benzene [related topic page]
- Benzene. OSHA Analytical Method 12 (1980, August).
- Benzene. OSHA Analytical Method 1005 (2002, September).
- Hydrocarbons, BP 36°-216 °C. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 1500, (2003, March 15), 128 KB PDF, 8 pages.
- Hydrocarbons, Aromatic. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 1501, (2003, March 15), 135 KB PDF, 7 pages.
- 2,3-Benzofuran
- Coumarin
- Formaldehyde [related topic page]
- Acrolein and/or Formaldehyde. OSHA Analytical Method 52, (1989, June).
- Formaldehyde (Diffusive Samplers). OSHA Analytical Method 1007, (2005, May).
- Aldehydes, Screening. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 2539, (1994, August 15), 255 KB PDF, 10 pages.
- Formaldehyde by GC. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 2541, (1994, August 15), 30 KB PDF, 5 pages.
- 4-Hydroxycoumarin
- m-Hydroxyacetophenone
- 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone
- Menadione
- 6-Methoxytetralone
- 6-Methylcoumarin
- 3-Methyl-2-cyclopentene-2-ol-one
- Trimethylbenzene
- Trimethylbenzenes. OSHA Analytical Method PV2091, (1987, September)
- Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
- Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles (CTPV); Coke Oven Emissions (COE); Selected Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). OSHA Analytical Method 58, (1986, July).
- Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons by HPLC. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 5506, (1998, January 15), 66 KB PDF, 9 pages.
- Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons by GC. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Analytical Method No. 5515, (1994, August 15), 37 KB PDF, 7 pages.
- Acenaphthene
- Acenaphthylene
- Anthracene
- Benz[a]anthracene
- Benzo[b]fluoranthene
- Benzo[k]fluoranthene
- Benzo[ghi]perylene
- Benzo[a]pyrene
- Benzo[e]pyrene
- Crysene
- Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
- Fluoranthene
- Fluorene
- Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene
- Naphthalene
- Naphthalene. OSHA Analytical Method 35, (1982, April).
- Phenanthrene
- Pyrene
- The MSDSonline Team -