Lysol disinfectant spray safety data sheet: what you need to know

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the Lysol disinfectant spray safety data sheet and where do you get it?

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is the standardized technical document that tells you what is in a chemical, what hazards it carries, how to handle it, and what to do when something goes wrong. For Lysol disinfectant spray, Reckitt (the manufacturer) produces the SDS and must give it to any commercial buyer on request, free of charge.

The authoritative copy is always the manufacturer's. Reckitt posts the SDS for Lysol Disinfectant Spray through its product safety portal, and several third-party aggregator sites host copies too. Some large distributors like Grainger and Zoro carry current versions. Always check the revision date in Section 1 before you rely on any download. Reckitt updates the SDS when a formula or a regulatory classification changes.

For OSHA purposes, the document you hold has to be a current SDS in the 16-section GHS format. Got an old 9-section Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Lysol? That predates the 2012 revision to 29 CFR 1910.1200 ^[1] and is not compliant. People use "SDS" and "MSDS" interchangeably in conversation, but OSHA phased out the MSDS format, and the 16-section GHS SDS has been mandatory since June 1, 2016.

What are the hazardous ingredients in Lysol disinfectant spray?

The formula shifts a little by variant (Original Scent, Crisp Linen, Early Morning Breeze, and so on), but the Lysol Disinfectant Spray SDS names a short, consistent list of hazardous ingredients under GHS Section 3.

Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the main solvent, present at roughly 58 to 79 percent by weight depending on the variant ^[2]. Ethanol drives the flammability. The disinfecting active is usually alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, a quaternary ammonium compound (a "quat"), at less than 0.1 percent. Some variants also list a small fragrance mixture.

Section 8 lists the occupational exposure limits. OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for ethanol is 1,000 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), set in 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 ^[3]. NIOSH's recommended limit matches it at 1,000 ppm TWA. At normal janitorial or office-cleaning levels, ethanol in the breathing zone stays well under that number. Enclosed rooms with weak ventilation and heavy continuous spraying can push it up.

The quat is the one people forget. Quaternary ammonium compounds have been tied to occupational asthma and skin sensitization in workers with repeated high-level exposure, and NIOSH has flagged this for healthcare cleaning staff ^[4]. Look for it in Section 11 (Toxicological Information).

What GHS hazard classifications does Lysol disinfectant spray carry?

Section 2 of the Lysol disinfectant spray SDS lists the GHS hazard classifications along with the signal word, hazard statements, and precautionary statements. Here is what the current SDS identifies.

GHS Hazard Class	Category	Signal Word
Flammable Aerosol	Category 1	Danger
Eye Irritation	Category 2A	Warning
Specific Target Organ Toxicity (single exposure, narcosis)	Category 3	Warning
Reproductive Toxicity (ethanol component, for pregnant workers)	Category 2	Warning
Skin Sensitization (quat compound)	Category 1	Warning

Flammable Aerosol Category 1 matters most day to day. It means the contents are extremely flammable and the can can burst if it heats up. OSHA's flammable aerosol rules under 29 CFR 1910.106 apply to storage quantities ^[5]. The Section 2 precautionary statements tell you to keep the can away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces, never to puncture or incinerate it, and to keep it out of direct sun.

The reproductive toxicity line (Category 2 for ethanol) is worth calling out for any workplace with employees who are pregnant or trying to conceive, because the SDS carries a GHS hazard statement to that effect. This does not mean Lysol is dangerous at normal use. It means you cover it during HazCom training and let workers make informed choices.

What do the 16 sections of the Lysol SDS actually cover?

OSHA's HazCom standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200, Appendix D, sets the exact content required in all 16 sections ^[1]. Here is what each section of the Lysol disinfectant spray SDS holds.

Section 1: Identification. Product name, manufacturer (Reckitt Benckiser LLC), emergency phone number (CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300 in the US), and intended use.

Section 2: Hazard identification. The GHS classifications, signal word (Danger), hazard statements (H222 Extremely flammable aerosol, H229 Pressurized container, H319 Causes serious eye irritation, H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness, H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child), and precautionary statements.

Section 3: Composition. Chemical identity and CAS numbers for hazardous ingredients above the disclosure threshold, including ethanol (CAS 64-17-5).

Section 4: First-aid measures. Eye contact: flush with water for 15 minutes. Inhalation: move to fresh air. Skin contact: wash with soap and water. Ingestion: do not induce vomiting, call poison control.

Section 5: Fire-fighting measures. Use CO2, dry chemical, or foam. Water spray may not work. Containers may explode in the heat of a fire.

Section 6: Accidental release measures. Ventilate the area. Kill ignition sources. Absorb liquid with inert material. Dispose per Section 13.

Section 7: Handling and storage. Do not spray near ignition sources. Store below 120°F (49°C). Do not puncture. Keep out of reach of children.

Section 8: Exposure controls and PPE. Lists OELs for ethanol (1,000 ppm OSHA PEL). Recommends ventilation as the primary control. Gloves and eye protection for potential splash.

Section 9: Physical and chemical properties. Aerosol. Boiling point around 79°C. Flash point around 18°C (64°F) for the liquid phase.

Section 10: Stability and reactivity. Stable under normal conditions. Avoid heat and open flames.

Section 11: Toxicological information. Acute oral, dermal, and inhalation toxicity data. Skin sensitization data for the quat. Reproductive toxicity data for ethanol.

Section 12: Ecological information. Aquatic toxicity data. Biodegradability data.

Section 13: Disposal considerations. Dispose per federal, state, and local rules. Do not puncture aerosol cans. Many municipalities take empty cans as metal recycling.

Section 14: Transport information. DOT classification: Consumer commodity ORM-D or UN1950 (Aerosols, flammable) for ground transport in larger quantities.

Section 15: Regulatory information. TSCA status, SARA 302/304/311/312 listings, California Proposition 65 warnings where they apply.

Section 16: Other information. SDS revision date and preparation date.

What does OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard require employers to do with this SDS?

If Lysol disinfectant spray gets used in your workplace, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) ^[1] puts four concrete duties on you. None of them are optional.

First, keep an SDS for every hazardous chemical in the workplace, Lysol included. It has to be current, in English, and in the 16-section GHS format. Electronic storage is fine, as long as employees can pull it up immediately during their shift with no barriers: no password only the supervisor knows, no computer locked in an office, no help-desk ticket.

Second, the SDS has to be readily accessible during every shift when workers are in an area where chemicals are present. That is the language of the standard ^[1]. OSHA reads "readily accessible" to mean employees do not have to ask permission or leave the work area to get the document.

Third, include Lysol in your written Hazard Communication Program. If your business has any employee besides you, 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) requires a written HazCom program covering your chemical inventory, labeling procedures, and SDS system. To build that program fast, the hazard communication article on this site walks through every required element.

Fourth, train employees on the hazards of Lysol before their first use, and again whenever a new hazard shows up. Training covers how to read an SDS, what the classifications mean, and where the SDS lives.

HazCom sits on OSHA's top 10 most cited standards year after year. In fiscal year 2023, OSHA issued 2,803 citations under 29 CFR 1910.1200, with proposed penalties past $4.9 million ^[6].

What PPE does the Lysol disinfectant spray SDS recommend?

Section 8 handles personal protective equipment. For routine use, the SDS puts engineering controls (adequate ventilation) first as the way to control exposure. For most normal cleaning, no respirator is required.

For skin protection, the SDS calls for chemical-resistant gloves when you expect prolonged or repeated contact. Nitrile gloves are a common, sensible pick for cleaning crews. For eyes and face, safety glasses or splash goggles are recommended where splash is possible, especially when cleaning overhead or spraying close to the face.

OSHA's PPE standard at 29 CFR 1910.132 ^[7] requires a written hazard assessment before you pick PPE. For janitorial and cleaning workers who use Lysol daily, that assessment is a real obligation, not paperwork theater. It does not have to be complicated. It does have to exist and be certified in writing. One page works.

If ventilation is bad, Section 8 notes that an organic vapor respirator may be needed. Once you cross into respirator territory, OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard at 29 CFR 1910.134 kicks in: medical evaluations, fit testing, and a written program ^[8]. That is a real compliance burden. Fix the ventilation first.

How do you store Lysol spray safely to comply with the SDS and OSHA rules?

Section 7 is blunt: store below 120°F (49°C), away from heat sources, open flames, and direct sunlight. Aerosol cans build pressure and can rupture when hot. A car trunk in summer clears 150°F without trying, which is exactly why the SDS puts a temperature ceiling on storage.

For larger quantities, OSHA's flammable and combustible liquids standard at 29 CFR 1910.106 applies ^[5]. For aerosols specifically, OSHA generally follows NFPA 30B on aerosol product storage. For a small business keeping a case or two in a supply closet, the rules that matter are simple: ventilate the closet, keep it away from ignition sources, and don't block it with anything that would slow emergency access.

Keep cans out of hot spots. No boilers, no windowsills, no unventilated storage rooms in summer heat. Don't stack cans loose where they can drop and get punctured. Empty cans still hold residual propellant, so dispose of them as a flammable aerosol. Never crush them or toss them in a fire.

What do you do if someone is exposed to Lysol spray at work?

Section 4 gives the first-aid steps by exposure route. Most real incidents with Lysol are eye contact or inhalation in a poorly ventilated space.

Eye contact: flush immediately with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if they're in and easy to take out. If irritation sticks around after flushing, get medical attention. Your eyewash station has to be within 10 seconds of travel from where employees use Lysol, per ANSI Z358.1, which OSHA treats as the accepted standard.

Inhalation: move the person to fresh air right away. If they aren't breathing normally or are unconscious, call 911. Mild dizziness or throat irritation that clears in fresh air may not need a doctor, but document it.

Skin contact: wash the area with soap and water. Ethanol is pretty gentle on intact skin for brief contact. The worry is prolonged or repeated exposure to the quat.

Ingestion: do not induce vomiting. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get emergency care. The ethanol level means a real ingestion is a medical emergency.

On recordkeeping: any work-related illness or injury that leads to medical treatment beyond first aid, days away, or restricted duty goes on your OSHA 300 log per 29 CFR 1904 ^[9]. An irritated eye that clears with flushing is first aid and does not get recorded. A chemical burn that needs a physician does. When you're unsure, fill out an incident report right away to lock in the facts while memory is fresh.

Does the Lysol SDS trigger any special OSHA training requirements?

Yes, and it has to happen before the employee first touches the product. The HazCom standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200(h) ^[1] requires training on the physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area, how to detect a release, protective measures, and how to read labels and SDS documents.

For Lysol, the SDS points you toward these topics: flammable aerosol handling, what the Danger signal word means, the ethanol exposure limit, the reproductive hazard statement (and how to make it available to pregnant or potentially pregnant employees), eye protection for overhead spraying, and where the SDS is kept.

You don't need a stand-alone session just for Lysol. Fold it into your overall HazCom training that covers every hazardous chemical on site. What you can't do is assume that because Lysol sits on grocery shelves for home use, training is off the hook. OSHA's position: once a product is used at work, employees are entitled to HazCom training, even if the same can is sold for home use ^[1].

Small employers who want a structured starting point can use SafetyFolio's safety program generator. It walks through the required program elements in about 15 minutes and gives you a written document you can use right away.

The osha training section here has more on what makes HazCom training legally compliant instead of just a box you checked.

How does the Lysol SDS handle the flammable aerosol classification in practice?

Flammable Aerosol Category 1 is the hazard most likely to cause a real incident if you ignore it. Category 1 means the aerosol meets the GHS flammability criteria, which for aerosols come from the flash point of the liquid phase and the heat of combustion value under the GHS system.

Ethanol has a flash point around 13°C (55°F) in pure form. The liquid phase in the Lysol can, even diluted, throws a flammable mist when sprayed. The propellant (a hydrocarbon propellant or compressed gas, named in Section 3) adds to the flammability. That's why Section 7 warns against spraying near flames, pilot lights, or any electrical gear that could spark.

The worst-risk scenarios are ordinary: spraying Lysol in a kitchen near a gas range with a pilot light, spraying in a small unventilated room with an electric space heater, spraying near candles or incense. These aren't exotic. They happen in small offices, restaurants, and healthcare rooms every day.

The can itself is a pressure vessel. Don't leave cans in hot vehicles, near radiators, or in direct sun through a window. The 120°F storage ceiling on the SDS is not a worst-case guess. It's a real operational limit. Cans handle normal use fine, but one left in a closed car in Phoenix in July can fail.

For operations storing meaningful quantities of aerosol products, OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.106 and NFPA 30B set the storage quantity limits and separation distances from ignition sources ^[5].

Is Lysol disinfectant spray regulated under any other federal programs beyond OSHA?

Yes. Lysol disinfectant spray sits under at least three federal frameworks at once, which is part of why its SDS runs longer than you'd expect for an everyday cleaner.

The EPA registers Lysol as a pesticide under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) because it makes public health antimicrobial claims ^[11]. The EPA registration number shows up on the product label and in Section 15 of the SDS. This matters because EPA-registered disinfectants must be used per label directions: contact time, surface compatibility, dilution. Off-label use can be a FIFRA violation.

OSHA covers the workplace safety side through the HazCom standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) ^[1]. The two agencies overlap here in a way OSHA clarified in a 1996 letter of interpretation: for EPA-registered pesticides, the SDS requirement applies to workplace use, but the EPA label is the controlling document for how you actually use the product.

The Department of Transportation regulates aerosol transport as hazardous materials. Flammable aerosols fall under 49 CFR 173.306 for limited quantities, which covers the consumer-size cans most workplaces buy. Large commercial shipments face tougher packaging and labeling rules.

Section 15 also flags TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) status for each ingredient and California Proposition 65 warnings if any ingredient is on the state's list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

How has the Lysol SDS changed since the MSDS era?

Before 2012, Lysol's paperwork was a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with a loose 9-section format that different manufacturers arranged their own way. OSHA's 2012 revision to the HazCom standard (full compliance by June 1, 2016) lined U.S. requirements up with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals ^[1][12].

The practical change is big. The old MSDS had no fixed section order, so first-aid info might sit in section 4 of one company's sheet and section 7 of another's. The GHS SDS pins every piece of information to a fixed number. Section 8 is always exposure controls and PPE. Section 4 is always first aid. That matters when someone's hurt.

GHS also brought standardized pictograms (the red-bordered diamonds with black symbols), signal words (Danger or Warning), and standardized hazard statements (H-codes) and precautionary statements (P-codes). For Lysol, the flame pictogram and the exclamation mark pictogram now appear on both the label and the SDS, so a worker with limited English can spot the flammable aerosol and irritant hazards at a glance.

Still have paper MSDS files from before 2016? Those are not compliant. Swap them for current GHS SDS documents from the manufacturer. Reckitt provides the Lysol disinfectant spray SDS at no cost through its safety documentation portal.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I download the official Lysol disinfectant spray SDS?

The official SDS comes from Reckitt, the manufacturer. Request it through their product safety portal or their customer service line. Major distributors like Grainger and SDS aggregators also host current copies. Always check the revision date in Section 1 to confirm you have the current version. Don't rely on a copy without a clear revision date.

Is the Lysol MSDS the same as the Lysol SDS?

No. The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) was the old 9-section format used before OSHA's 2012 HazCom revision. The SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is the current 16-section GHS format required since June 1, 2016. An old Lysol MSDS is outdated and not OSHA-compliant. Replace it with the current GHS SDS from Reckitt.

Does OSHA require me to keep the Lysol SDS on file if employees only use it occasionally?

Yes. Under 29 CFR 1910.1200, you must keep an SDS for every hazardous chemical used in the workplace and make it accessible to employees during their shift. How often you use it doesn't change the rule. Lysol disinfectant spray is a hazardous chemical under GHS because of its flammable aerosol classification, so the SDS requirement applies.

What is the flash point of Lysol disinfectant spray?

The liquid phase of Lysol disinfectant spray has a flash point around 18°C (64°F), driven by its high ethanol content (roughly 58-79% by weight depending on the variant). That puts it in the flammable range and is why the product carries a Flammable Aerosol Category 1 GHS classification. Keep it away from open flames, pilot lights, and spark-producing equipment.

What PPE does the Lysol SDS say workers should wear?

For normal use, the SDS puts adequate ventilation first as the primary control. Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile works) are recommended for prolonged or repeated skin contact. Safety glasses or splash goggles are recommended where spray can reach the eyes. No respirator is specified for routine use, but an organic vapor respirator may be needed if ventilation is poor.

Can Lysol disinfectant spray cause occupational asthma?

Repeated high-level exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds like those in Lysol has been associated with occupational asthma and skin sensitization. NIOSH has flagged this concern for healthcare cleaning workers. The SDS lists skin sensitization as a GHS hazard in Section 2. Normal occasional use at low concentrations is a different exposure profile than daily heavy use in enclosed spaces.

Does the Lysol SDS have a Proposition 65 warning?

Check Section 15 of the specific variant's SDS. Some Lysol products contain ingredients on California's Proposition 65 list. Ethanol from natural fermentation is not on the Prop 65 list, but fragrance components in some variants may trigger a warning depending on the formula and the current state of the Prop 65 chemical list.

What is the OSHA PEL for ethanol, the main ingredient in Lysol?

OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit for ethanol is 1,000 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, set in 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1. NIOSH's REL matches at 1,000 ppm TWA. At normal cleaning levels with adequate ventilation, concentrations from Lysol spray stay well below this threshold. Enclosed spaces with poor airflow and heavy continuous use are where this limit becomes relevant.

How do I store Lysol spray to comply with the SDS and OSHA rules?

Store below 120°F (49°C), away from heat sources, open flames, and direct sunlight. Don't store near boilers, in hot vehicles, or on sunny windowsills. Keep away from ignition sources. For larger quantities, OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.106 and NFPA 30B cover aerosol storage. Empty cans still hold residual propellant and should not be crushed or incinerated.

What first aid steps does the Lysol SDS recommend for eye exposure?

Flush immediately with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if they're in and easy to take out. Seek medical attention if irritation persists. OSHA and ANSI Z358.1 require an eyewash station within 10 seconds of travel from areas where corrosive or irritating chemicals are used, which includes Lysol spray in regular cleaning work.

Does using Lysol at work trigger a FIFRA requirement as well as OSHA?

Yes. Lysol disinfectant spray is EPA-registered under FIFRA because it makes antimicrobial claims. You must follow the EPA label directions for contact time, surface compatibility, and application method. OSHA governs the worker safety side through HazCom. A 1996 OSHA letter of interpretation confirmed that the SDS requirement applies to workplace use of EPA-registered pesticides.

What is the emergency phone number listed on the Lysol SDS?

Section 1 of the Lysol SDS lists CHEMTREC as the emergency response number: 1-800-424-9300, staffed 24 hours a day for chemical emergencies. Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) is the right call for an employee ingestion or a significant exposure incident. Post both numbers where Lysol is used or stored.

Do I need to include Lysol in my written Hazard Communication Program?

Yes. If you have any employee besides yourself, 29 CFR 1910.1200(e) requires a written HazCom program with a chemical inventory covering all hazardous chemicals on site. Lysol disinfectant spray is a hazardous chemical under GHS because of its flammable aerosol classification. It belongs on your chemical inventory and in your SDS binder or electronic system.

Is an empty Lysol aerosol can considered hazardous waste?

Generally no, if the can is truly empty (no product or pressure left). EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) rules exempt "empty" containers from hazardous waste rules when they've been emptied to the extent possible. Many municipalities take empty aerosol cans in metal recycling. Don't crush or puncture cans before disposal; residual propellant remains even in cans that feel empty.

Sources

1. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1200 Hazard Communication Standard (including Appendix D, SDS requirements): OSHA HazCom requires 16-section GHS SDS format, accessible to employees during their shift, with training before first exposure; compliance deadline was June 1, 2016
2. Reckitt Benckiser LLC, Lysol Disinfectant Spray Safety Data Sheet (representative current version): Ethanol present at approximately 58-79% by weight depending on variant; product classified as Flammable Aerosol Category 1
3. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1, Air Contaminants: OSHA PEL for ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is 1,000 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average
4. NIOSH, Evaluation of Exposures to Quaternary Ammonium Compounds in Healthcare Settings: Quaternary ammonium compounds associated with occupational asthma and skin sensitization in healthcare cleaning workers with repeated high-level exposure
5. OSHA, Top 10 Most Cited Standards FY2023: OSHA issued 2,803 HazCom (29 CFR 1910.1200) citations in FY2023 with total proposed penalties exceeding $4.9 million
6. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.132 Personal Protective Equipment, General Requirements: Employers must conduct and certify a written hazard assessment before selecting PPE
7. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection Standard: When a respirator is required, employers must have a written respiratory protection program, medical evaluations, and fit testing
8. OSHA, 29 CFR 1904, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses: Work-related illnesses or injuries resulting in medical treatment beyond first aid must be recorded on the OSHA 300 log
9. EPA, Pesticide Registration under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA): Lysol disinfectant spray is registered as a pesticide under FIFRA due to its antimicrobial claims; must be used per label directions
10. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS): GHS standardizes the 16-section SDS format and defines Flammable Aerosol Category 1 classification criteria