Safety Data Sheets - Section 12, Ozone

Section 12 may also include information about other adverse effects of the chemical or substance. For example, Section 12 may include the following details:

• Environmental fate
• Endocrine disruption potential
• Ozone layer depletion potential
• Photochemical ozone creation potential
• Global warming potential

Environmental Fate

Environmental fate is an "indication of what happens to a pesticide once it enters the environment, as well as likely exposure levels for non-target organisms. Evaluation of the data makes it possible to determine the behavior of a pesticide in soil, water and air; the potential for its uptake by plants or animals; and the potential for bioaccumulation in organisms."

Endocrine Disruption Potential

Endocrine disruptors are "chemicals that may interfere with the body's endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.

Ozone Layer Depletion Potential

Ozone is a "gas composed of three atoms of oxygen (O₃). Ozone occurs both in Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level."

Ozone can be good or bad, depending on its location. "Good ozone" (called stratospheric ozone) is found in the upper atmosphere. It protects Earth from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

"Bad ozone" is the result of chemical reactions between pollutants (volatile chemicals) and nitrogen that exist in the atmosphere. This is the basis of smog, which is harmful to humans and the environment.

Ozone layer depletion potential is a number that "refers to the amount of ozone depletion caused by a substance."

Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential

Photochemical ozone creation potential is a calculation of the possibility for the chemical to create damaging ozone gas. "Photochemical" refers to the reaction that occurs when these chemicals are exposed to sunlight.

Global Warming Potential

Global warming potential is the "measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time." Global warming potential (GWP) was created in order to compare the impacts of different gases on the environment.

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