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Product Name: Nitric Acid
Chemical Name: Nitric Acid
Other Names: Aqua fortis, Hydrogen nitrate
CAS Number: 7697-37-2
UN Number: 2031
Recommended Uses: Used in fertilizer production, explosives, etching, metal processing, laboratory reagent
Manufacturer/Supplier: [Supplier information varies based on location and procurement]
Emergency Contact: [Contact number based on locality/regulation]
GHS Classification: Oxidizing Liquids (Category 3), Skin Corrosion/Irritation (Category 1A), Serious Eye Damage (Category 1), Acute Toxicity (Oral, Category 3), Specific Target Organ Toxicity - Single exposure (Category 3)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage, may intensify fire (oxidizer), toxic if inhaled or swallowed, causes respiratory irritation
Pictograms: Corrosion, Oxidizer, Skull and Crossbones, Health Hazard
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing fumes, wear protective gloves/clothing, wash thoroughly after handling, store locked up, keep away from heat/flames, use only in ventilated areas
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact, ingestion
Chemical Name: Nitric Acid
Concentration: Commercial grades typically 55-70% by weight, fuming grades over 86%
Other Ingredients: Water (composition may include minor impurities depending on source)
Synonyms: Aqua fortis, Hydrogen nitrate
Inhalation: Move exposed person to fresh air, keep at rest, seek immediate medical attention, provide CPR/oxygen if breathing stops or is labored
Skin Contact: Quickly remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin under flowing water for at least 15 minutes, do not neutralize, consult medical care
Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes lifting eyelids, remove contacts if present, get medical attention immediately
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, if conscious rinse mouth with water, do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, call poison control or doctor right away
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, foam, do not use water jet, use water spray to keep containers cool
Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Strong oxidizer, increases fire risk with combustible material, reacts exothermically, emits toxic nitrogen oxides and other corrosive gases when heated
Fire Fighting Instructions: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus, evacuate area, control runoff, do not let water contact the substance
Explosion Limits: Nitric acid itself is not readily combustible, but it accelerates burning of flammable materials, may react violently with reducing agents
Personal Precautions: Wear chemical splash goggles, gloves, boots, full suit, respirator (if needed), stay upwind, keep unnecessary personnel away
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways, drains, or soil, report releases as required by local, state, federal laws
Clean-Up Methods: Absorb with inert dry material (sand, earth, vermiculite), neutralize with soda ash or lime away from critical equipment, place in a dedicated, corrosion-resistant container, ventilate area
Handling: Open containers slowly and carefully, use tools and containers resistant to acid, operate in chemical fume hood, avoid splashing, wash hands thoroughly, never mix with organic substances or reducing agents
Storage: Keep tightly closed in original containers, store in cool, well-ventilated acid-resistant area, separate from combustibles, organic materials, flammables, and metals, protect from sunlight, keep away from ammonia, bases, cyanides
Incompatible Materials: Most metals, strong bases, ammonia, reducing agents, organic materials, sulfides, cyanides
Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL: 2 ppm (5 mg/m³) as STEL, ACGIH TLV: 2 ppm (STEL), NIOSH REL: 2 ppm (STEL)
Engineering Controls: Work in chemical fume hood, use mechanical exhaust or local ventilation to minimize exposure
Personal Protective Equipment: Acid-resistant gloves and aprons, splash-proof goggles, face shield, positive-pressure respirator if ventilation is inadequate
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, arms, and face after use, do not eat, drink, or smoke near this chemical
Appearance: Colorless to slightly yellow fuming liquid
Odor: Sharp, acrid, pungent
Odor Threshold: Detectable at low concentrations
pH: Less than 1
Melting Point/Freezing Point: -41°C (-41.8°F)
Boiling Point: 83°C (181.4°F) at 101.3 kPa
Flash Point: Not flammable
Evaporation Rate: Fast
Flammability: Non-flammable, oxidizer
Vapor Pressure: 49 mmHg (20°C)
Vapor Density: 2.2 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.5 (water = 1)
Solubility: Fully miscible with water
Partition Coefficient: Not applicable
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Not applicable
Decomposition Temperature: Unstable above 85°C, decomposes to nitrogen oxides
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, decomposes if heated
Reactivity: Highly reactive, powerful oxidizer, reacts violently with organics, reducing agents, many metals
Hazardous Reactions: Reacts with water with heat evolution, contact with metals yields flammable hydrogen, mixes with organics can result in fire or explosion
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂), water, trace nitrous acid
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sunlight, incompatible materials
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 430 mg/kg. Inhalation LC50 (rat): 67 ppm/4hrs. May cause death if inhaled or swallowed in sufficient quantities.
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: Causes severe burns with possible necrosis, ulceration
Eye Damage: Severe burns, permanent damage or blindness
Respiratory Sensitization: Causes coughing, sore throat, bronchospasm, risk of pulmonary edema
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure leads to dental erosion, ulceration of respiratory tract
Carcinogenicity: Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans (IARC Group 3)
Other Effects: Systemic toxicity such as acidosis, methemoglobinemia can occur
Aquatic Toxicity: Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, causes rapid drops in pH, potentially lethal at low concentrations
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly dissociates and neutralizes in water, diluted nitric acid breaks down to nitrate ions
Bioaccumulation: Potential for bioaccumulation is low, but nitrates can eutrophy surface waters
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile, leaches readily, increases nitrate levels in groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Environmental hazard due to acidification and nitrate pollution, increased risk of algal blooms downstream
Disposal Methods: Neutralize carefully with alkali (lime, soda ash), dilute before disposal under controlled conditions, use licensed chemical waste disposal services
Do Not: Pour undiluted acid into drains, waterways or landfills
Empty Containers: Rinse thoroughly, treat as hazardous waste, puncture to prevent re-use
Local Regulations: Must comply with federal, state, and local hazardous waste rules
Special Precautions: Always handle with appropriate personal protective gear, data sheet directions, and in presence of trained personnel
UN Number: 2031
DOT Proper Shipping Name: Nitric Acid (with more than 70% acid), Nitric Acid (other concentrations as classified)
Hazard Class: 8 (Corrosive), 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: II or I (depending on concentration)
Label Codes: Corrosive, Oxidizer
Marine Pollutant: Not regulated as marine pollutant but poses threat to aquatic life if spilled
Special Provisions: Segregate from combustible materials, separate from alkali and cyanide cargoes, inspect containers for leaks or damage
OSHA: Nitric acid listed as a hazardous chemical under Hazard Communication Standard
EPA: Reportable under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), regulated as hazardous waste (RCRA)
TSCA: Listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
EU Classification: Regulated under REACH, classified as corrosive and oxidizer, subject to Seveso Directive
Other International: Included in Canada WHMIS, Australia’s AICS, other national inventories
SARA Title III: Subject to emergency planning and community right-to-know reporting
Community Safety: Facilities using nitric acid must provide MSDS to emergency responders and proper training for on-site staff
