What is the purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now more commonly referred to as Safety Data Sheet (SDS), serves as a crucial resource for anyone working with potentially hazardous chemicals, including pesticides. The primary purpose of an MSDS is to inform users about the chemical properties of substances, including hazards, safe handling procedures, emergency measures in case of exposure, and first aid guidelines. This information is vital to ensure that individuals can work safely with chemicals and respond appropriately to accidents or spills.

While the other options mention important topics, they do not capture the core purpose of an MSDS. For instance, while proper disposal of pesticides is important for safety and environmental protection, it is just one aspect of the broader information provided in an MSDS. Similarly, agricultural marketing and outlining environmental impacts are relevant areas but do not focus on the immediate safety and handling information that an MSDS is designed to communicate. By concentrating on hazards and safe handling procedures, an MSDS fundamentally contributes to the safety of workers and the effective management of chemicals in various settings.