Abbreviations and acronyms found on Material Safety Data Sheets and other texts relating to the Environment, and Health and Safety Matters

Important notice for MSDS translators and authors: The abbreviations and acronyms in this list were found on MSDSs we translated. The sole aim of this list is to help you interpret the abbreviations you might encounter on safety data sheets, and constitutes in no way a recommendation for use. Some acronyms are generally accepted and appear on many MSDSs (e.g. LC50, LEL), while others are more obscure and may not be generally understood (e.g. UNK, n.o.s.). We recommend you only use well-established acronyms in you safety documentation.

510k	FDA Approval for Medical Device
AC2	ACGIH suspected human carcinogen
ACX No	Available Chemicals Xchange Number
ADME	Administration, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion
AFFF	Aqueous Film Forming Foam
ALARA	As Low As Reasonably Achievable
ALG	Allergen (Section 3 of MSDS)
ALS	Advanced Life Support
AQTX	Aquatic Toxicity
ASC	Administrative Support Center
AST	Aboveground Storage Tank
Atm	Atmosphere (unit of pressure)
B	Background (in BEI® notation)
BAT	Best Available Techniques
BAT	Biologische Arbeitsplatztoleranz (Germany, biological tolerance values for occupational exposures)
BCF	Bioconcentration Factor
BEI®	Biological Exposure Indices (US, see ACGIH)
BHC	Benzene Hexachlorides
BHT	Butylated Hydroxytuolene
BLO	Blood (Section 3 of MSDS)
BLS	Basic Life Support
BNM	Bone Marrow (Section 3 of MSDS)
BOD	Biochemical Oxygen Demand/Biological Oxygen Demand
BTEX	Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl-benzene and Xylene
BTX	Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene
Bp	Boiling Point
C	Ceiling
CAR	Carcinogenic Effects
CAS No	Chemical Abstracts Service Number (see ACS - American Chemical Society)
CC	Closed Cup
CCP	Cleveland Closed Cup
CFC	Chlorofluorocarbon
CGI	Combustible Gas Indicator
CMRs	Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to Reproduction (substances)
CNS	Central Nervous System
COC	Cleveland Open Cup
COC	Chemical of Concern
COD	Chemical Oxygen Demand
CPG	Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA mechanism)
CPP	Citizen Participation Plan
CPR	Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CSR	Chemical Safety Report
CU M/CU.M	Cubic Meter
CVOC	Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compound
Ca	(Circa) about
Cc	Cubic Centimeter
Cesog	Conditionally-Exempt Small Quantity Generator
Conc	Concentration
Concen.	Concentration
DALYs	Disability Adjusted Life Years
DDT	Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (pesticide)
DGSA	Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor
DNEL	Derived No-Effect Level
DOT	Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Department of Transportation (US)
DRO	Designated Responsible Official
DSL	Department Safety Liaison
Decomp	Decompose
ECL	Environmental Conservation Law
ECO	Environmental Conservation Officer
ECn	Exposure Concentration (n% of test population)
ED50	Effective Dose 50
EDn	Exposure Dose (n% of test population)
EHS	Extremely Hazardous Substance (material listed in
EIS	Environmental Impact Statement (US)
ELAP	Environmental Laboratory Approval Program
EMS	Emergency Medical Services
ENB	Environmental Notice Bulletin (weekly bulletin published by DEC)
EQO	Environmental Quality Objective
EQS	Environmental Quality Standard
ERIC's	Emergency Response Intervention Cards (see ERICards)
ERICards	Emergency Response Intervention Cards (see ERIC's)
ESD	Explanation of Significant Difference
ET50	Exposure Time 50
FRP	Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic
FSC	Federal Supply Class (US)
G.I./GI	Gastrointestinal
GPa	GigaPascal (unit of pressure)
GW	Groundwater
HASP	Health and Safety Plan
HCB	Hexachlorobenzene
HCFC	Hydrochlorofluorocarbon
HDPE	High-Density Polyethylene
HEPA Filter	High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter
HFCs	Hydrofluorocarbons
HPVCs	High Production Volume Chemicals
HRS	Hazard Ranking System
HW	Hazardous waste
HazMat	Hazardous Material
I	Intermittent
I.V.	Intravenous
IBP	Initial Boiling Point
ICM	Interim Corrective Measures
ICSC	International Chemical Safety Card
IDL	Instrument Detection Limit
IDLH	Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
IFO	Instructions For Use
IMM	Immune System
IMM	Immune system
INV	Inventory Status
IP	Ionization Potential
IRM	Interim Remedial Measures
IRR	Irritant (Section 3)
ISR	Investigative Summary Report
IVN	Intravenous (see also IV)
Inds	Indicators
Inhl	Inhalation
Insol	Insoluble
KID	Kidney
Kg	Kilogram
Kow	Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient
L	Liter
LC	Lethal Concentration
LC50	Median Lethal Concentration
LCLO	Lowest Lethal Airborne Concentration Tested (see also LC50, LD50)
LD	Lethal Dose
LD50	Median Lethal Dose
LDLO	Lowest Lethal Dose Tested (see also LC50, LD50)
LEL	Lower Explosive Limit/Lower Explosion Limit
LEPC	Local Emergency Planning Committee
LEPC	Local Emergency Planning Committee (US)
LEV	Local exhaust ventilation
LFL	Lower Flammable Limit
LFM	Linear Feet per Minute
LNG	Liquified Natural Gas
LPG	Liquified Petroleum Gas
LPVCs	Low Production Volume Chemicals
LTTD	Low Temperature Thermal Desorption (contaminated soil treatment)
LUN	Lung (Section 3 of MSDS)
LUST	Leaking Underground Storage Tank
MAK	Maximale Arbeitsplatz-Konzentrazion (Germany, Maximum Workplace Concentration, see OEL)
MCAA	Monochloroacetic Acid
MCL	Maximum Contaminant Level
MDI	Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate
MDL	Method Detection Limit
MEK	Methyl Ethyl Ketone
MEL	Maximum Exposure Limit
MFAG	Medical First Aid Guide
MIBK	Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
MIR	Merchandise Inventory Receipt (US)
MLC	Median lethal concentration
MLD	Mild Irritation Effects
MPa	MegaPascal (unit of pressure)
MRL	Maximum Residue Limit
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheet
MTBE	Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether
MUT	Mutagen (Section 3 of MSDS)
MW	Molecular Weight
N/A	Not Applicable
N/Ap	Not Applicable
N/K	Not Known
NA Number	North American Number (used in Canada and US, see also UN Number, PIN)
NCE	New Chemical Entity
NCP	National Contingency Plan
ND	Not Detected
ND, N/D	Not Determined
NEO	Neoplastic Effects
NIIN	National Item Identification Number (US)
NOAEL	No Observed Adverse Effect Level
NOEL	No Observable Effect Level
NOS	Not Otherwise Specified
NRC	National Response Center (US)
NRP	National Response Team
NSN	National Supply Number (US)
NTO	No Target Organs (Section 3 of MSDS)
NTP-K	National Toxicology Program-Known to be a carcinogen
NTP-R	National Toxicology Program-Reasonably anticipated to be a carcinogen
NUI	Nuisance dust (Section 3 of MSDS)
NVOC	Non-Volatile Organic Compound
Nox	Oxides of Nitrogen
Ns	Nonspecific (in BEI® notation)
ODS	Ozone-Depleting Substances
OEL	Occupational Exposure Limits
OES	Occupational Exposure Standard
OIC	Official In Charge
ORATS	Online European Risk Assessment Tracking System
OSB	Oriented Strand Board
OSOR	One Substance, One Registration principle
Orm-D Label	Consumer Commodity Label
P	Partition Coefficient
P.O.	per os (oral administration)
P2	Pollution Prevention (plan)
PAH	Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (see PNA)
PAPR	Powered Air Purifying Respirator
PBTs	Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic substances
PCB	Polychlorinated Biphenyl
PCDDs	Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins
PCDFs	Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans
PCE	Perchloroethylene (see Perc)
PEC	Predicted Environmental Concentration
PEL	Permissible Exposure Limit
PF Resin	Phenol-Formaldehyde resin
PFCs	Perfluorocarbons
PG	Packing Group
PIN	Product Identification Number (used in Canada, see also UN Number, AN Number)
PMCC	Pensky-Martens Closed Cup
PMMN	Premanufacture Notice Number
PMN	Premanufacture Notice, Premarket Notice
PNA	Polynuclear Aromatic hydrocarbons (see PAH)
PNEC	Previsible Non Effect Concentration
PNOC	Particulates Not Otherwise Classified
PNOR	Particulates Not Otherwise Regulated
PNS	Peripheral Nervous System
POPs	Persistent Organic Pollutants
POTW	Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (sewage treatment plant)
PPE	Personal Protection Equipment
PQL	Practical Quantitation Level
PRA	Pest Risk Analysis
PRAP	Proposed Remedial Action Plan
PRP	Potentially Responsible Party
PRS	Priority Ranking System
PSA	Preliminary Site Assessment
PSI	Pounds per Square Inch
PUR	Polyurethane Foam
PUR	Polyurethane (foam)
PVA	Polyvinyl Alcohol
PVC	Polyvinyl Chloride
Perc	Perchloroethylene (see PCE)
QSAR	Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship
RAR	Risk Assessment Report (EU)
RBCA	Risk-Based Corrective Action
RCF	Refractory Ceramic Fibers
RCP	Regional Contingency Plan
RDS	Primary Irritation Dose
REL	Recommended Exposure Limit
RHM	Residual Hazardous Material
RLN	Regulatory List Number
RQ	Reportable Quantity (according to 40 CFR 355)
RSM	Regional Safety Manager
S.G./sp.gr.	Specific Gravity
SAR	Structure-Activity Relationship
SCBA	Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
SCP	Standards Completion Program
SIDS	Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SISD	Spill Information System Database
SKN	Skin
SNARL	Suggested No Adverse Response Level
SNUR	Significant New Use Rule (see TSCA)
SOM	Some evidence of carcinogenicity (Section 3 of MSDS)
SOM	Some evidence of carcinogenicity (Section 3)
SPCC	Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan
SPL	Spleen
SQG	Small Quantity Generator
SRL	Spill Response Form
STEL	Short-Term Exposure Limit
STEV	Short-Term Exposure Value
STP	Standard Temperature and Pressure
STP	Sewage Treatment Plant
SUP DAT	Supply Missing Data, Supplementary Data
SVE	Soil Vapor Extraction
SVOC	Semi-Volatile Organic Compound
SWMU	Solid Waste Management Unit
T&A	Time and Activity Codes
TAB	Technical Assistance Bulletin
TCA	Trichloroethane
TCC	Tagliabue Closed Cup (see LCLO, LC50)
TCDD	Tetrachlorodibenzo Para-Dioxin
TCDF	Tetrachlorodibenzofuran
TCLO	Lowest Toxic Airborne Concentration Tested
TCLP	Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure
TDG	Transportation of Dangerous Goods
TDLO	Lowest Toxic Dose Tested
TLM	Threshold Limit, Median
TLV-A1	Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed Human Carcinogen
TLV-A2	Threshold Limit Value-Suspected Human Carcinogen
TLV-A3	Threshold Limit Value-Confirmed Animal Carcinogen
TLV-A4	Threshold Limit Value-Not Classifiable as a Human Carcinogen
TLV-A5	Threshold Limit Value-Not Suspected as a Human Carcinogen
TLV-C	Threshold Limit Value-Ceiling
TLV®	Threshold Limit Value
TOC	Tagliabue Open Cup
TPQ	Threshold Planning Quantity (according to 40 CFR 355)
TSDF	Treatment, Storage or Disposal Facility
TSRAL	Temporary Safe Reference Action Level
TWA	Time-Weighted Average
Tk	Toxicokinetics
Torr	Torricelli (unit of pressure)
UEL	Upper Explosion Limit/Upper Explosive Limit
UFL	Upper Flammable Limit
UN Number	United Nations Number (see also AN Number, PIN)
UNK	Unknown
UNR	Unreported
USM	Universal Sorbent Materials
USOS	US Occupational Health Standard
UST	Underground Storage Tank
UV	Ultraviolet
VD	Vapour Density
VOA	Volatile Organic Analysis
VOC	Volatile Organic Compound
VPEL	Vacated PEL (see PEL)
WEEL	Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit (see AIHA)
WGK	Wassergefährdungsklasse (Water Hazard Class under German Federal Water Management Act)
WHC	Water Hazard Class
WWTP	Waste Water Treatment Plant
XPS	Extruded Polystyrene Foam
XRF	X-Ray Fluorescence
ZHE	Zero Headspace Extractor
cgs	Centimeter, Gram, Second (metric system)
eV	electronVolt
f/cc	Fibres per Cubic Centimetre of air (see also fcc)
fcc	Fibres per Cubic Centimetre of air (seel also f/cc)
g/gms	Grams
kJ/mol	Kilojoules per mole
kPa	KiloPascal (unit of pressure)
m3	Cubic Meter
mg	Milligram
ml	Milliliter
ml Hg	Milliliters of Mercury
mp	Melting point
n-	normal (in chemical names)
n.o.s.	Not Otherwise Specified
nm	nanometer
ppb	Parts Per Billion
pph	parts per hundred (= percent)
ppm	Parts Per Million
ppt	parts per trillion
psia	Pounds per Square Inch Absolute
psig	Pounds per Square Inch Gauge
vPvBs	Very Persistent and Very Bioacccumulative substances

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