Material Safety Data Sheet
Revision Issued: 12/31/06 Supercedes: 6/28/03 First Issued: 6/30/1980
Section I ?Product and Company Identification
32
PotashCorp MSDS No.:
Nitric Acid
Product Name:
157
ERG No.:
1101 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone (800) 241-6908 / (847) 849-4200 Flammability
Suite 500, 122 ?1st Avenue South 0
Health Reactivity
4 0
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada S7K7G3
Phone (800) 667-0403 from Canada
0X
(800) 667-3930 from USA
Specific Hazard
Emergencies (800) 424-9300 (CHEMTREC)
NFPA Code
Web Site www.potashcorp.com
Health Emergencies, Contact Your Local Poison Center
Common Name: Formula: Synonym: Uses:
Nitric Acid HNO3 Nitric Acid Industrial
Section II ?Composition / Information On Ingredients
Exposure Limits
Chemical Name CAS No. OSHA PEL TLV ?TWA STEL CEIL % by
Weight
3 3 3 3
mg/m ppm mg/m ppm mg/m ppm mg/m ppm
2(1) 2(1) 4(2)
Nitric Acid 7697-37-2 50 - 70
Nitrogen Dioxide 10102-44-0 3 3 5 5
Nitric Oxide 101102-43-9 25 25
Nitrous Oxide 10024-97-2 50 50
(1)
8 hours (2) 15 minutes
Section III ?Hazard Identification
Potential Acute Health Effects: Irritating and corrosive, may cause burns.
Eyes and Skin: Causes severe irritation, corneal burns and conjunctivitis. Causes severe corrosive burns or irritation.
Inhalation of gases or acid mist causes irritation or corrosive burns to the upper respiratory system,
Inhalation: including nose, mouth and throat. Lung irritation, nitrogen oxide poisoning and pulmonary edema can
also occur at elevated concentrations (over 200 PPM).
Ingestion: Is irritating and corrosive to mouth, teeth, throat, respiratory tract, and stomach.
Potential Chronic Health Symptoms from inhalation of Nitric Acid vapor and Nitrogen Oxides may be delayed. Do not breath
Effects: these gases.
CARCINOGENICITY LISTS IARC Monograph: No NTP: No OSHA: No
Section IV ?First Aid Measures
Eyes: Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek prompt medical attention.
Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek prompt
Skin:
medical attention.
Drink large amounts of water (or milk if available) to dilute acid. Do not induce vomiting. Do not use chemical antidotes or
Ingestion:
neutralizers. Seek prompt medical attention
Carry victim to uncontaminated area & keep victim quiet. Provide artificial respiration if necessary. Seek prompt medical
Inhalation:
attention.
Product Name: Nitric Acid
Page 1 of 5
Section V ?Fire Fighting Measures
Flash Point: Autoignition Temperature:
Non-Flammable Not Applicable
Lower Explosive Limit: Upper Explosive Limit:
Not Applicable Not Applicable
Nitric acid is an oxidizer & can ignite certain combustible and organic materials. Nitration of wood and
Unusual Fire and Explosion
organics increases their flammability. Can react explosively with metallic powders, carbides, hydrogen
Hazards:
sulfide & turpentine. Nitrogen oxides and/or hydrogen may be present.
Use flooding quantities of water spray or other suitable agent for fires adjacent to non-leaking tanks or
other containers of nitric acid. Fight fires from upwind to avoid hazardous gases emitted from
Extinguishing Media:
decomposition. Do not use solid water streams near ruptured tanks or spills of nitric acid. Acid reacts
violently with water and can splatter acid onto personnel
Nitrogen Oxides may be present from vented or ruptured containers. If a solid water stream is added,
Special Firefighting
violent splattering can occur, and considerable heat may be generated. Protective Equipment is
Procedures and Equipment:
recommended. Fight fires from upwind to avoid hazardous gases emitted from decomposition.
Section VI ?Accidental Release Measures
Small Spill: Dilute small spills or leaks with plenty of water spray.
Neutralize residue with alkali such as soda ash, lime or limestone. Adequate ventilation required to eliminate any
Large Spill:
nitrogen oxides released. If soda ash or limestone is used, carbon dioxide will be emitted.
If spill could potentially enter any waterway, including intermittent dry creeks, contact the local authorities. If in the
U.S., contact the US COAST GUARD NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER toll free number 800-424-8802. In case of
Release Notes:
accident or road spill notify: CHEMTREC IN USA at 800-424-9300; CANUTEC in Canada at 613-996-6666
CHEMTREC in other countries at (International code)+1-703-527-3887.
See Section XIII for disposal information and Section XV for regulatory requirements. Large and small spills may
Comments: have a broad definition depending on the user's handling system. Therefore, the spill category must be defined at
the point of release by technically qualified personnel.
Section VII ?Handling and Storage
Provide ventilation sufficient to maintain exposure below TWA/TLV/PEL. Provide sufficient ventilation to reduce acid mists
Ventilation:
and Nitrogen Oxide concentrations below permissible exposure limits.
Safety showers and eyewash facilities should be available near all nitric acid handling equipment. Use protective
Handling:
equipment outlined in Section VIII.
Label Warning Statement(s): Danger! Liquid is Corrosive, causes severe burns. Liquid is Oxidizer and may cause fire with
Storage:
combustibles. Vapor may cause Nitrogen Oxide poisoning.
Section VIII ?Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
Packaging and unloading areas and open processing equipment may require a mechanical
Engineering Controls:
exhaust system.
Personal Protection:
Eye Protection: At a minimum, chemical safety goggles, and full-face shield. Do Not Wear Contact Lenses.
At a minimum, wear a hard hat, acid-resistant apron, impervious protective clothing, boots
Protective Clothing: and gauntlet gloves for routine product use. For increased protection include acid-resistant
trousers and jacket.
For concentrations above the exposure limits use full face supplied air respirator approved
Respiratory Protection: by NIOSH for nitric acid or nitrogen oxide gases or mists. Vapors /mists cause eye irritation
or damage. NOTE: cartridge or canister respirators are not suitable for nitrogen oxide use.
Other Protective Clothing or Equipment: Provide safety shower and eye wash facility at sites of handling and storage.
Product Name: Nitric Acid
Page 2 of 5
Section IX ?Physical and Chemical Properties
This material is at normal conditions a
Appearance/Color/Odor: liquid, colorless to light yellow with a Boiling Point: 83篊(181.4篎) at 1 atm
pungent odor.
Melting Point/Range: Boiling Point Range:
-42篊 ( -44篎)(100%) Not Applicable
42 - 62 mmHg at 25篊
6
Solubility in Water: Vapor Pressure (mmHg):
1x10 mg/L at 25篊 (highly soluble)
(low volatility)
Specific Gravity: Molecular Weight:
1.33 (54 wt. %); 1.42 (72 wt. %) at 60篎 63.01 for 100% Nitric Acid
Vapor Density: % Volatiles:
Not Applicable Not Applicable
Bulk Density: Evaporation Rate:
1.51 g/mL at 25篊 Not Applicable
pH: Freezing Point:
1.0 at 0.1 M Not Applicable
15.1 g/mL @ 250C (100%)
Density:
Viscosity: Not Available
Section X ?Stability and Reactivity
Stability: This product is stable under normal ambient conditions of temperature and pressure
Hazardous Polymerization: Will not occur
Conditions to Avoid: None
Materials to Avoid Avoid contact with most metals, metallic powders, carbides, hydrogen sulfide, turpentine, organic acids,
(Incompatibles): combustibles (wood, paper, cotton) and other organics and readily-oxidized materials.
Hazardous Decomposition
Nitrogen oxides and possibly hydrogen under certain conditions of contact with metals.
Products:
Section XI ?Toxicological Information
Significant Routes of
Eyes, Gastrointestinal Tract, Respiratory Tract, Skin
Exposure:
Acute Oral Toxicity: No data available
Acute Inhalation Toxicity: 4 hour single dose - (rat) LC50 = 65 - 67 ppm NO2.
Acute Toxicity: Other Routes: No data available
Acute Dermal Toxicity: No data available
Via inhalation: 4 hrs/day, 5 days/week, 6 month (Mouse,
Toxicity to Animals:
rat, guinea pig) ?No significant effects at 4 ppm. Highly
toxic by inhalation as described by OSHA. Based on
Repeated Dose Toxicity:
toxicity data for other acids (i.e., sulfuric and phosphoric),
not expected to be toxic by oral exposure as defined by
OSHA.
Eye & Skin Irritation/Corrosion: Corrosive
No significant increase in pulmonary congestion in mice, rats and guinea pigs at 4 mg/kg.
Developmental Toxicity/Teratogenicity: No data available
Bacterial Genetic Toxicity In-Vitro: Gene S. typhimurium [OECD Guideline 471 (Ames test)] ?br>
Special Remarks on Mutation: Negative.
Toxicity to Animals: Non-Bacterial Genetic Toxicity In-Vitro:
No data available
Chromosomal Aberration:
Toxicity to Reproduction: No data available
Carcinogenicity: No data available
Other Effects on Humans: No other effects known
Special Remarks on Symptoms from inhalation of Nitric Acid vapor and Nitrogen Oxides may be delayed. Do not breath these
Chronic Effects on Humans gases.
Special Remarks on Other Human Experience ?Acute accidental inhalation: Acute respiratory injury leading to death following
Effects on Humans: exposure to 60% nitric acid solution.
Product Name: Nitric Acid
Page 3 of 5
Section XII ?Ecological Information
(A. dispar (freshwater fish)) 96-hr. semistatic - LC50= pH
Acute Toxicity to Fish: 3.71,(S. gairdneri (rainbow trout)) 7-day semistatic LC50 =
pH - 4.0
Chronic Toxicity to Fish: No data available
Acute Toxicity to Aquatic Invertebrates: No data available
Chronic Toxicity to Aquatic Invertebrates: No data available
(N. palea (diatom)) 28-day growth in lab culture tube -
Acute Toxicity to Aquatic Plants:
Inhibited growth of diatoms at 6.3 mg/L.
Subartic field study - Total biomass was dependant on pH.
Moderately toxic to aquatic organisms based on algae data
Toxicity to Bacteria:
and on fish data for other acids (i.e., sulfuric acid,
phosphoric acid) as defined by USEPA.
Toxicity to Terrestrial Plants: No data available
Stability in Water: Dissociates into its respective ions (H+; NO3 -)
Stability in Soil: No data available
Environmental Fate:
Transportation: Dissolves carbonates; nitrate ions taken up
Transport and Distribution:
by plants stimulate growth.
Inorganic material. Dangerous to aquatic life in high concentrations. May promote eutrophication in
Toxicity:
waterways.
Biodegradation: No data available
Degradation Products:
Photodegradation: Does not bioaccumulate.
Section XIII ?Disposal Considerations
Nitric Acid should be cautiously diluted into water and neutralized with an Alkali. Neutralized waste must be
Product Disposal: disposed of in accordance with applicable federal, state and local disposal regulations. Waste may have to
be disposed of by an approved contractor.
If neutralized waste contains water dissociable nitrate compounds in aqueous solution, it is subject to the
General Comments: reporting requirements of Section 313 of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986.
Section XIV ?Transportation Information
USDOT TDG - Canada
Proper Shipping Name: RQ, Nitric Acid Nitric Acid
Hazard Class: 8 8, (9.2)
Identification Number: UN2031 UN2031
Packing Group (Technical Name): II II,RQ
Labeling / Placarding: Corrosive Corrosive
Rail: Stainless Steel DOT 103, 104, 105, 109, 111, 112, 114 or 115, 120
Authorized Packaging:
Trucks: Stainless Steel MC 307, 310, 311, 312, DOT 407, 412
MARKING: Nitric Acid (rail) If product exceed the CERCLA Reportable Quantity, the notation
Notes:
"RQ" shall be added before or after the basic shipping description.
Product Name: Nitric Acid
Page 4 of 5
Section XV ?Regulatory Information
This product has been reviewed according to the EPA Hazard Categories promulgated under Section 311
and 312 of the Superfund Amendment and reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA title III) and is considered,
under applicable definitions, to meet the following categories:
UNITED STATES: Pressure
No No No Yes No
Fire: Reactivity: Acute: Chronic:
Generating:
SARA Hazard Category:
40 CFR Part 355 - Extremely Hazardous Substances: Nitric Acid
40 CFR Part 370 - Hazardous Chemical Reporting: Applicable
All intentional ingredients listed on the TSCA inventory.
This product contains the following substances subject of the reporting requirements of Title III (EPCRA) of
SARA Title III Information:
the Superfund amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 and 40 CFR Part 372:
Percent CERCLA RQ SARA (1986) Reporting
Chemical CAS NO.
(lbs)(1)
by Weight 311 312 313
50-70% (2) 1539 (65%) (3)
Nitric Acid 7697-37-2 Yes Yes Yes
1786 (56%) (4) Yes Yes Yes
(1)
CERCLA RQ for Nitric Acid is 1000 lbs (100% basis).
(2)
Use range maximum or annual weighted average concentration of material actually received for reporting determination.
(3)
132 gallons
(4)
158 gallons
If this product contains components subject to substances designated as CERCLA reportable Quantity (RQ)
CERCLA/Superfund, 40 Substances, it will be designated in the above table with the RQ value in pounds. If there is a release of RQ
Substance to the environment, notification to the National response Center, Washington D.C. (1-800-424-
CFR Parts 117, 302:
8802) is required.
WHMIS Hazard Symbol and Classification: This product is WHMIS controlled. Class: C, D1a,E
Ingredient Disclosure List: This product does contain ingredient(s) on this list
CANADA:
All intentional ingredients are listed on the DSL (Domestic
Environmental Protection:
Substance List).
EINECS#: (Nitric Acid) 231-714-2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) 233-272-6 (Nitric Oxide) 233-271-0 (Nitrous Oxide) 233-032-0
California: Prop 65: This is not a chemical known to cause cancer, nor is it listed.
Section XVI ?Other Information
Health: Fire: Reactivity: Special Hazards:
4 0 0 OX
NFPA Hazard Ratings:
0 = Insignificant 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = High 4 = Extreme
COMMENTS:
Section(s) changed
New Format, I
since last revision:
Although the information contained is offered in good faith, SUCH INFORMATION IS EXPRESSLY GIVEN WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY
(EXPRESS OR IMPLIED) OR ANY GUARANTEE OF ITS ACCURACY OR SUFFICIENCY and is taken at the user's sole risk. User is
solely responsible for determining the suitability of use in each particular situation. PCS Sales specifically DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY
WHATSOEVER FOR THE USE OF SUCH INFORMATION, including without limitation any recommendation which user may construe and
attempt to apply which may infringe or violate valid patents, licenses, and/or copyright.
Product Name: Nitric Acid
Page 5 of 5
|