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Product Name: Silver Nitrate
Chemical Formula: AgNO3
Synonyms: Lunar caustic, Nitrate of silver
CAS Number: 7761-88-8
Recommended Use: Laboratory reagent, photography, pharmaceuticals, analytical chemistry
Supplier Information: Always check the container label for up-to-date supplier and emergency contact details
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec, local poison control center, or the designated onsite emergency number in your facility
Classification: Oxidizing solid (Category 2), Acute toxicity (Oral Category 3), Serious eye damage (Category 1), Skin corrosion (Category 1B), Hazardous to the aquatic environment—acute hazard (Category 1)
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties. Causes eye irritation. Strong oxidizer, may intensify fire. Toxic if swallowed or inhaled. Very toxic to aquatic life. May cause permanent discoloration of skin and mucous membranes.
Precautionary Statements: Do not breathe dust or fumes. Avoid release to the environment. Wear protective gloves, eye protection, and clothing. Handle away from heat, sparks, open flames, and strong reducing chemicals.
Chemical: Silver Nitrate
Concentration: 99-100%
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number: 7761-88-8
Impurities/Additives: None reported at or above regulatory disclosure thresholds; verify certificate of analysis for specifics
Formula: AgNO3
Molecular Weight: 169.87 g/mol
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air as quickly as possible. Allow the person to rest comfortably. Seek medical care if symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness develop.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with plenty of water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do so. Continue flushing and get immediate medical attention. Early medical care can reduce the risk of permanent damage.
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with plenty of water, then wash using soap. If irritation or chemical burns develop, seek medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water but do not induce vomiting. Get medical attention rapidly due to toxicity risk. Explain what was ingested so treatment protocols fit Silver Nitrate exposure.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, or foam to cool fire-exposed containers. Avoid use of carbon dioxide as the product is a strong oxidizer.
Hazardous Combustion Byproducts: Silver oxides, nitrogen oxides, toxic metal fumes
Special Protective Equipment: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Approach site from upwind, staying out of low-lying areas where vapors might accumulate.
Fire/Explosion Hazards: May intensify fire; contact with combustible material can cause fire. Containers may rupture under fire conditions. Cool containers with plenty of water until well after fire is out.
Personal Precautions: Use suitable protective equipment. Evacuate area if large quantities spill. Prevent dust from forming. Do not breathe dust.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage. Keep out of drains, water courses, and soil to minimize environmental impact.
Clean-Up Procedures: Sweep up and place into a tightly sealed container for proper disposal using damp cleanup methods to control dust. Ventilate area. Decontaminate surfaces using sodium thiosulfate or another suitable reducing agent to neutralize any residue.
Reference to Other Sections: Review exposure controls and disposal sections before cleanup to choose methods and equipment best suited for the situation.
Handling: Work in a well-ventilated area. Avoid dust formation and contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in areas of use. Keep away from reducing agents, combustible materials, and incompatible chemicals.
Storage: Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place. Keep away from direct sunlight. Avoid storage near acids, halides, sulfides, or sources of contamination. Use only corrosion-resistant shelving and secondary containment. Secure area to prevent unauthorized access.
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV (United States): 0.01 mg/m3 (as Silver, inhalable fraction)
Engineering Controls: Use fume hood or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne levels below exposure limits.
Eye/Face Protection: Chemical splash goggles or safety glasses with face shield.
Skin Protection: Gloves made of nitrile or other chemical-resistant materials. Wear full-length lab coat or protective suit.
Respiratory Protection: Use NIOSH-approved respirator if dust or mist is a risk and controls can't ensure exposure stays under limits.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands before eating, drinking, or smoking. Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse. Change gloves frequently.
Appearance: Colorless or white crystalline solid
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: 212°C (414°F) (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Decomposes before boiling
Solubility in Water: Soluble (122 g/100 mL at 0°C)
Density: 4.35 g/cm3 at 20°C
pH: 4-6 (50g/L aqueous solution)
Flash Point: Not flammable
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperature
Partition Coefficient: No data available
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable
Vapor Density: Not applicable
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions; light sensitive, darkening on exposure
Incompatible Materials: Strong reducing agents, organic material, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, carbon, alkaloids, ammonia, acids, phosphates, halides, iodides
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, silver oxides, metallic silver on strong heating
Conditions to Avoid: Exposure to light, heat, moisture, open flame, sources of ignition
Route of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 117 mg/kg. Can cause burning pain in mouth, throat, and stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and shock.
Chronic Effects: Prolonged exposure can lead to argyria (irreversible gray/bluish skin discoloration), damage to mucous membranes.
Irritation: Corrosive to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
Sensitization: Sensitizer; may cause allergic reactions on skin or respiratory tissues.
Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity: No classification under OSHA, IARC, NTP, or ACGIH.
Symptoms of Overexposure: Burning, irritation, permanent eye damage, skin staining
Ecotoxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life, both short-term and long-term effects possible. LC50 (fish, 96hr): < 0.001 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Dissolves in water and can persist as dissolved ions. Not readily biodegradable.
Bioaccumulative Potential: Has potential to accumulate in aquatic organisms.
Mobility in Soil: Highly mobile in water and soil; binds strongly to sediment and organic matter.
Other Adverse Effects: Silver accumulates in sewage sludge and may enter the food chain. Huge environmental concern in aquatic ecosystems.
Waste Treatment Methods: Collect and store waste in labeled, tightly closed containers. Use reducing agents (such as sodium thiosulfate) to convert dissolved silver to inert, insoluble silver compounds.
Regulatory Disposal: Send to licensed hazardous waste facility according to local, state, and federal regulations.
Contaminated Packaging: Triple-rinse containers before disposal; offer for recycling if possible, or dispose of as hazardous waste.
Prevent Release: Do not flush into surface water or sanitary sewer. Limit soil and water contamination.
UN Number: UN 1493
Proper Shipping Name: Silver Nitrate
Transport Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Packing Group: II
Environmental Hazards: Marine pollutant
Special Precautions for User: Emergency action code, protective packaging, ensure driver knows emergency procedures. Store away from combustibles and segregate from foodstuffs during transport.
Transport Regulations: Must comply with DOT, IMDG, ICAO/IATA.
OSHA: Listed hazardous substance
EPA: Listed as hazardous waste and toxic pollutant under Clean Water Act; reportable quantity (RQ): 1 lb (0.454 kg)
SARA Title III: Section 313—subject to reporting for toxic chemicals
TSCA: Appears in the TSCA inventory
Other State/International Regulations: Subject to restrictions and reporting in Canada (CEPA), European Union (REACH), Australia (AICS), China (IECSC), etc. Refer to regional safety requirements for specific restrictions and controls.
Labeling Requirements: Appropriate GHS labels required, with hazard pictograms, hazard and precautionary statements outlined clearly on containers in all areas of use and storage.
