NITRIC ACID, [> 40%]

 

Chemical Identification Information

Chemical Identification

CAS #: 7697-37-2 Formula: HNO3
UN/NA Number: 2031 DOT Label:
CHRIS Code: NAC STCC #: 4930223
 

Synonyms

  • AQUA FORTIS
  • AZOTIC ACID
  • ENGRAVERS ACID
  • HYDROGEN NITRATE
  • NITAL
  • NITRIC ACID
  • NITRIC ACID, [> 40%]
  • NITRIC ACID, >40%
  • NITRIC ACID(RED FUMING)
  • NITRIC ACID(WHITE FUMING)
  • NITROUS FUMES
  • NITRYL HYDROXIDE
  • RED FUMING NITRIC ACID
  • RED FUMING NITRIC ACID (RFNA)
  • WHITE FUMING NITRIC ACID (WFNA)

NFPA Codes

Health: 4
Flammability: 0
Reactivity: 0
 
 

Response Information Data

General Description

A colorless to yellow or red liquid sometimes fuming reddish brown vapors with a suffocating odor. Corrosive to metals or tissue. Accelerates the burning of combustible materials and may even cause ignition upon contact with combustible material. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Density 10.4 lb / gal (© AAR, 1999).
 

Properties

Auto Igtn Temp: Not flammable (USCG, 1999)
Melting Point: -44° F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 47.8 mm Hg at 68° F (EPA, 1998)
Specific Gravity: 1.5027 at 77° F
1.4134 at 68° F For 70% nitric acid. (EPA, 1998): Boiling Point: / For constant boiling acid at 68% nitric acid. (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 63.01 (EPA, 1998)
IDLH: 25 ppm (NIOSH, 1997)
TLV TWA: 2 ppm For nitric acid. (©ACGIH, 2001)
TLV STEL: 4 ppm For nitric acid. (©ACGIH, 2001)
ERPG1: 1 ppm (AIHA, 2001)
ERPG2: 6 ppm (AIHA, 2001)
ERPG3: 78 ppm (AIHA, 2001)
Water Solubility: Miscible (NIOSH, 1997)
 

Fire Hazards

May give off poisonous oxides of nitrogen and acid fumes when heated in fires. May ignite other combustible materials. Reactions with fuels may be violent. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Noncombustible but dangerously reactive with many materials. Reacts explosively with metallic powders, carbides, hydrogen sulfide, and turpentine. Increases the flammability of combustible organic and readily oxidized materials. Can cause ignition of some of these materials. Will react with water or steam to produce heat, and toxic and corrosive fumes. When heated to decomposition, it emits nitrogen oxides. Reacts violently with alcohol, turpentine, charcoal, and organic refuse. Reacts explosively with metallic powders, carbides, and hydrogen sulfide. Powerful reducing agents may cause explosion. Avoid moisture and heat. (EPA, 1998)
 

Non-Fire Response

Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Neutralize spilled material with crushed limestone, soda ash, or lime. Vapor knockdown water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. Land spill
Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone (CaCO3) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Water spill
 

Health Hazards

Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Build dikes to contain flow as necessary. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Neutralize spilled material with crushed limestone, soda ash, or lime. Vapor knockdown water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. Land spill
Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Neutralize with agricultural lime (CaO), crushed limestone (CaCO3) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Water spill
 

Protective Clothing

Skin:
Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.
Eyes:
Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.
Wash skin:
The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.
Remove:
Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.
Change:
No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the work shift.
Provide:
Eyewash (pH<2.5), Quick drench (pH<2.5) (NIOSH, 1997)
______________MATERIAL RATINGS______________
AL PET/PVC
FABRIC > 3 hours
BLUE MAX
FABRIC > 3 hours
BUTYL
FABRIC > 3 hours
GLOVES > 3 hours
BUTYL/NEOP
FABRIC > 3 hours
CHECKMATE
FABRIC > 3 hours
CHEMTUFF
FABRIC > 3 hours
CPE
FABRIC > 3 hours
INTERCEPTOR
FABRIC > 3 hours
NAT RUB
GLOVES 1-3 hours
NAT RUB+NEOP+NBR
GLOVES > 3 hours
NEOP
FABRIC 1-3 hours
GLOVES 1-3 hours
BOOTS > 3 hours
NEOP/BUTYL
GLOVES > 3 hours
NEOP+PVC
FABRIC 1-3 hours
NITRILE
GLOVES > 3 hours
NITRILE+PVC
FABRIC < 1 hour
GLOVES > 3 hours
PE
FABRIC > 3 hours
PE/EVAL/PE
GLOVES 1-3 hours
PTFE TEFLON
FABRIC > 3 hours
PVC
FABRIC < 1 hour
GLOVES > 3 hours
SARANEX23P
FABRIC > 3 hours
VITON
FABRIC > 3 hours
VITON/NEOP
FABRIC > 3 hours
(NOAA, 1991)
 

First Aid

Warning:
Nitric acid is extremely corrosive. Caution is advised.
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Nitric Acid Exposure
Signs and symptoms of acute ingestion of nitric acid may be severe and include increased salivation, intense thirst, difficulty swallowing, chills, pain, and shock. Oral, esophageal, and stomach burns are common. Vomitus generally has a coffee-ground appearance. The potential for circulatory collapse is high following ingestion of nitric acid. Acute inhalation exposure may result in sneezing, hoarseness, choking, laryngitis, dyspnea (shortness of breath), respiratory tract irritation, and chest pain. Bleeding of nose and gums, ulceration of the nasal and oral mucosa, pulmonary edema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia may also occur. If the eyes have come in contact with nitric acid, irritation, pain, swelling, corneal erosion, and blindness may occur. Dermal exposure may result in severe burns, pain, and dermatitis (red, inflamed skin).
Emergency Life-Support Procedures:
Acute exposure to nitric acid may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.
Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to nitric acid.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
4. RUSH to a health care facility.
Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self- exposure to nitric acid.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
4. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wash exposed skin areas THOROUGHLY with soap and water.
6. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
7. RUSH to a health care facility.
Ingestion Exposure:

1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Rinse mouth with large amounts of water. Instruct victims not to swallow the water.
3. DO NOT induce vomiting or attempt to neutralize!
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for administration of an antidote or performance of other invasive procedures.
5. Activated charcoal is of no value.
6. Give the victims water or milk
children up to 1 year old, 125 mL (4 oz or 1/2 cup); children 1 to 12 years old, 200 mL (6 oz or 3/4 cup); adults, 250 mL (8 oz or 1 cup). Water or milk should be given only if victims are conscious and alert.
7. RUSH to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)
 

Reactive Hazards

Strong Oxidizing Agent, Water-Reactive, Air-Reactive
 

Reactivity

AIR AND WATER REACTIONS:
Fumes in air. Fully soluble in water with release of heat. Reacts violently with water with the production of heat, fumes, and spattering.
CHEMICAL PROFILE:
NITRIC ACID may cause ignition upon contact with alcohols, amines, ammonia, beryllium alkyls, boranes, dicyanogen, hydrazines, hydrocarbons, hydrogen, nitroalkanes, powdered metals, silanes, or thiols [Bretherick 1979 p.174]. The reaction of finely divided antimony and nitric acid can be violent [Pascal 10:504. 1931-34]. Bromine pentafluoride reacts violently with strong nitric acid and strong sulfuric acid [Mellor 2, Supp. 1:172. 1956]. A mixture of finely divided magnesium and nitric acid is explosive [Pieters 1957 p.28]. Nitric acid oxidizes magnesium phosphide with incandescence [Mellor 8:842. 1946-47]. Experiments show that mixtures of over 50% nitric acid by weight in acetic anhydride may act as detonating explosives [BCISC 42:2. 1971]. An etching agent of equal portions of acetone, nitric acid, and 75% acetic acid exploded 4 hours after it was prepared and placed in a closed bottle. This is similar to a formulation for the preparation of tetranitromethane a sensitive explosive [Chem. Eng. News 38: 56. 1960]. Phosphine is violently decomposed by concentrated nitric acid, and flame is produced. Warm fuming nitric acid, dropped in a container of phosphine gas produces an explosion [Edin. Roy. Soc. 13:88. 1835]. An explosion occurs when nitric acid is brought into contact with phosphorus trichloride [Comp. Rend. 28:86]. The reaction of sodium azide and strong nitric acid is energetic [Mellor 8, Supp 2:315. 1967]. Reacts violently with water with the production of heat, fumes, and spattering. Nitric acid can react violently with acetone.
REACTIVE GROUPS:
Acids, Inorganic Oxidizing (Reactivity, 2001)
 

Fire Fighting

Keep unnecessary people away; isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind; keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering them. Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and special protective clothing.
Use water spray. Small fires: water, dry chemical, or soda ash. Large fires: flood fire area with water. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. For massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (EPA, 1998)