As an individual, I am a huge advocate of the saying, "If it don't apply, let it fly."
This is only a very relevant statement in some cases, though. In fact, one might argue that this is a relevant statement in most cases, rather than all. However your perspective moves you, I believe it is safe to agree that, in this day and age, knowledge is much better than ignorance.
Just like the age old saying, "Ignorance is bliss." This can only be true when one is amongst the ignorant. Otherwise, the statement in itself is an oxymoron.
Nonetheless, whether you work in a salon or from home, it is so very important to be knowledgeable of the SDS Pictogram and what the pictures therein actually mean. For those who have yet to complete any cosmetology courses, or who have not yet signed up for my Natural Hair Care training, SDS is an abbreviation for Safety Data Sheet. The SDS, formerly the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), is a federal and state requirement for all chemical products manufactured and sold, as of June 2015. If you own a business that creates or sales products with any type of chemical compound, this is very valuable information to have a working knowledge of. Even if products are not being sold, using highly chemical products on a regular basis renders the need to be knowledgeable of this information.
The following explains the hazards in detail:
Health Hazards
Every name on this list has the potential to be hazardous to the health and safety of all individuals.
Carcinogens are substances capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
Mutagenicity is the capacity to induce mutation, which is the permanent change of genetic material.
Reproductive Toxicity are the adverse effects on sexual functions and fertility, as well as on the development of offspring.
Aspiration Toxicity are the various severe acute effects, such as chemical pneumonia, pulmonary injury, or even death following aspiration.
Target Organ Toxicity is specific to non-lethal effects on organs or organ systems in the body following single exposure to a chemical.
Respiratory Sensitizers are substances that induce hypersensitivity of the airways following inhalation of the substance.
Flames
Flammables are materials that are easily set on fire.
Pyrophores are substances capable of igniting spontaneously on contact with air or water.
Self-Heating is when a chemical, other than a pyrophore, is a liquid or solid that's liable to self-heat by reaction with air and without energy supply, which differs from a pyrophoric substance in that it will only ignite when in large amounts and after long periods of time.
Emitting Flammable Gases are from solid or liquid chemicals that are liable to become spontaneously flammable or give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities by interacting with water.
Self-Reactives are chemicals that are thermally unstable liquid or solid substances liable to undergo a strongly exothermic decomposition, even without the participation of oxygen, excluding substances classified as explosives, organic peroxides, oxidizing liquids, or oxidizing solids.
Organic Peroxides are organic compounds that are carbon-containing, having two oxygen atoms joined together with the capability of being severe fire and explosion hazards.
Exclamation Mark
Irritants are substances that cause slight inflammation or other discomforts to the body.
Skin Sensitizers are substances that will induce an allergic response following skin contact.
Acute Toxicity are the adverse effects of a substance that results from a single exposure or multiple exposures in a short period of time, usually by oral, dermal, or inhalation.
Narcotic Effects are substances that cause central nervous system depression, such as drowsiness, a dazed or sluggish feeling, reduced alertness, loss of reflexes, lack of coordination, or vertigo.
Respiratory Tract Irritants are substances that cause inflammation or other adverse reactions in the respiratory system, such as tobacco smoke, the ozone, sulphur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides.
Hazardous to the Ozone Layer are substances linked to having harmful effects on the Earth, causing skin cancers, cataracts, and harm to some crops and marine life.
Gas Cylinder
Gases Under Pressure are gases that are contained in a receptacle at a pressure of 200-kilopascals (kPa) or 29-pounds square inch gauge (psi) or more, or that has been liquified or liquified and refrigerated, including compressed gases, liquified gases, dissolved gases, and refrigerated liquified gases, which are scientifically considered to be combustible.
Corrosion
Skin Corrosion is the production of irreversible damage to the skin, which is visible necrosis through the epidermis and into the dermis, including ulcers, bleeding, bloody scabs, and discoloration due to blanching of the skin within a 14-day observation period.
Skin Burns are severe skin damage that causes affected skin cells to die, depending on the cause and degree of the injury, which can be caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or radiation.
Eye Damage is the production of tissue damage in the eye, or serious physical decay of vision, following the application of a substance to the front outer surface of the eye, which may not be fully reversible within 21 days.
Corrosive to Metals are the effects of a chemical materially damaging, or even destroying, a metal, such as rust on iron.
Exploding Bomb
Explosives are substances that are chemical compounds, mixtures, or devices with the primary or common purpose to be made to explode.
Self-Reactives are defined above (no. 2- Flames).
Organic Peroxides are defined above (no. 2- Flames).
Flame Over Circle
Oxidizers are substances known as oxidizing agents with the ability to oxidize, or accept the electrons, of other substances.
Environment
Aquatic Toxicity are the effects of a chemical on organisms living in water and are determined with organisms representing algae or plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates.
Skull and Crossbones
Acute Toxicity are defined above (no. 3- Exclamation Mark).