Right to Know

Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: NITRIC ACID
CAS Number: 7697-37-2
Synonyms: Aqua Fortis; Hydrogen Nitrate
RTK Substance Number: 1356
Chemical Name: Nitric Acid
DOT Number: UN 2031
Date: April 2010 Revision: March 2016
UN 2032 (Fuming)
EMERGENCY RESPONDERS >>>> SEE LAST PAGE
Description and Use Hazard Summary
Nitric Acid is a colorless to yellow liquid with a characteristic, Hazard Rating NJDHSS NFPA
irritating odor. Fuming Nitric Acid is a reddish, fuming liquid. HEALTH 4 4
It is used to make fertilizer, for dissolving, etching and cleaning FLAMMABILITY 0 0
metals, and in making Nitrogen compounds and explosives.
REACTIVITY 2 0
CORROSIVE AND REACTIVE
 ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.29 to 0.98 ppm
STRONG OXIDIZER
 Odor thresholds vary greatly. Do not rely on odor alone to
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
determine potentially hazardous exposures.
DOES NOT BURN

Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;

Reasons for Citation 4=severe
 Nitric Acid is on the Right to Know Hazardous Substance
List because it is cited by OSHA, ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH,  Nitric Acid can affect you when inhaled and may pass
DEP, NFPA and EPA. through the skin.
 This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance  Nitric Acid is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and contact can
List. severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with possible eye
damage.
 Exposure to Nitric Acid can irritate the nose and throat.
 Inhaling Nitric Acid can irritate the lungs. Higher exposures
may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary
edema), a medical emergency.
SEE GLOSSARY ON PAGE 5.
 Nitric Acid can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
abdominal pain.
FIRST AID  Exposure to the high concentrations may cause erosion of
Eye Contact the teeth.
 Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 30  Nitric Acid is REACTIVE and a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION
minutes, lifting upper and lower lids. Remove contact HAZARD.
lenses, if worn, while flushing. Seek medical attention.  Nitric Acid is not combustible, but it is a STRONG
OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other
Skin Contact substances.
 Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
contaminated skin with large amounts of water. Seek Workplace Exposure Limits
medical attention.
OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is
2 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
Inhalation
 Remove the person from exposure.
 Begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions) if NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit (REL) is
breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. 2 ppm averaged over a 10-hour workshift and 4 ppm,
 Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
not to be exceeded during any 15-minute work period.
 Medical observation is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after
overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed.
ACGIH: The threshold limit value (TLV) is 2 ppm averaged
over an 8-hour workshift and 4 ppm as a STEL
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
(short-term exposure limit).
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300
 The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin
NJDEP Hotline: 1-877-927-6337 contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though
National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 air levels are less than the limits listed above.
NITRIC ACID Page 2 of 6

Determining Your Exposure Reproductive Hazard

 While Nitric Acid has been tested, further testing is required
 Read the product manufacturer’s Material Safety Data to assess its potential to cause reproductive harm.
Sheet (MSDS) and the label to determine product
ingredients and important safety and health information Other Effects
about the product mixture.  Prolonged or repeated contact can cause a skin rash, pain,
redness and ulceration.
 For each individual hazardous ingredient, read the New
 Nitric Acid can irritate the lungs. Repeated exposure may
Jersey Department of Health Hazardous Substance Fact cause bronchitis to develop with coughing, phlegm, and/or
Sheet, available on the RTK website shortness of breath.
(http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to-  Exposure to the high concentrations may cause erosion of
know) or in your facility’s RTK Central File or Hazard the teeth.
Communication Standard file.
 You have a right to this information under the New Jersey
Worker and Community Right to Know Act and the Public Medical
Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Act Medical Testing
if you are a public worker in New Jersey, and under the For frequent or potentially high exposure (half the PEL or
federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if you greater), the following are recommended before beginning
are a private worker. work and at regular times after that:

 The New Jersey Right to Know Act requires most  Lung function tests
employers to label chemicals in the workplace and
requires public employers to provide their employees with If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the
information concerning chemical hazards and controls. following is recommended:
The federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29
 Consider chest x-ray after acute overexposure
CFR 1910.1200) and the PEOSH Hazard Communication
Standard (N.J.A.C. 12:100-7) require employers to provide Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and
similar information and training to their employees. present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for
damage already done are not a substitute for controlling
This Fact Sheet is a summary of available information exposure.
regarding the health hazards that may result from exposure.
Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right
factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential to this information under the OSHA Access to Employee
effects described below. Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

Mixed Exposures
Health Hazard Information  Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer,
emphysema, and other respiratory problems. It may worsen
Acute Health Effects respiratory conditions caused by chemical exposure. Even if
The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur you have smoked for a long time, stopping now will reduce
immediately or shortly after exposure to Nitric Acid: your risk of developing health problems.
 Contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes with
possible eye damage.
 Exposure Nitric Acid can irritate the nose and throat.
 Inhaling Nitric Acid can irritate the lungs causing coughing
and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a
build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical
emergency, with severe shortness of breath.
 Nitric Acid can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
abdominal pain.

Chronic Health Effects

The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at
some time after exposure to Nitric Acid and can last for
months or years:

Cancer Hazard
 According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Nitric Acid has not been
tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
NITRIC ACID Page 3 of 6

Workplace Controls and Practices Eye Protection

Very toxic chemicals, or those that are reproductive hazards or  Wear non-vented, impact resistant goggles when working
sensitizers, require expert advice on control measures if a less with fumes, gases, or vapors.
toxic chemical cannot be substituted. Control measures  Wear indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles
include: (1) enclosing chemical processes for severely when working with liquids.
irritating and corrosive chemicals, (2) using local exhaust  Wear a face shield along with goggles when working with
ventilation for chemicals that may be harmful with a single corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances.
exposure, and (3) using general ventilation to control
exposures to skin and eye irritants. For further information on Respiratory Protection
workplace controls, consult the NIOSH document on Control Improper use of respirators is dangerous. Respirators
Banding at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding/. should only be used if the employer has implemented a written
program that takes into account workplace conditions,
The following work practices are also recommended: requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing, and
 Label process containers.
medical exams, as described in the OSHA Respiratory
 Provide employees with hazard information and training. Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
 Monitor airborne chemical concentrations.
 Use engineering controls if concentrations exceed  Where the potential exists for exposure over 2 ppm, use a
recommended exposure levels. NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an acid gas
 Provide eye wash fountains and emergency showers. cartridge which is specifically approved for Nitric Acid.
 Wash or shower if skin comes in contact with a hazardous Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece
material. powered-air purifying respirators.
 Always wash at the end of the workshift.  Leave the area immediately if (1) while wearing a filter or
 Change into clean clothing if clothing becomes cartridge respirator you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect
contaminated. Nitric Acid, (2) while wearing particulate filters abnormal
 Do not take contaminated clothing home. resistance to breathing is experienced, or (3) eye irritation
 Get special training to wash contaminated clothing. occurs while wearing a full facepiece respirator. Check to
 Do not eat, smoke, or drink in areas where chemicals are make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is,
being handled, processed or stored. replace the filter or cartridge. If the seal is no longer good,
 Wash hands carefully before eating, smoking, drinking, you may need a new respirator.
applying cosmetics or using the toilet.  Consider all potential sources of exposure in your workplace.
You may need a combination of filters, prefilters or cartridges
In addition, the following may be useful or required: to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as
vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals.
 Where possible, transfer Nitric Acid from drums or other  Where the potential exists for exposure over 20 ppm, use a
containers to process containers in an enclosed system. NIOSH approved supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure
mode. For increased protection use in combination with an
auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus or an
Personal Protective Equipment emergency escape air cylinder.
 Exposure to 25 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and
The OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard (29 CFR health. If the possibility of exposure above 25 ppm exists,
1910.132) requires employers to determine the appropriate use a NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus
personal protective equipment for each hazard and to train with a full facepiece operated in a pressure-demand or other
employees on how and when to use protective equipment. positive-pressure mode equipped with an emergency escape
air cylinder.
The following recommendations are only guidelines and may
not apply to every situation.
Fire Hazards
Gloves and Clothing If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
 Avoid skin contact with Nitric Acid. Wear personal and equipped as stated in the OSHA Fire Brigades Standard
protective equipment made from material which can not be (29 CFR 1910.156).
permeated or degraded by this substance. Safety
equipment suppliers and manufacturers can provide  Nitric Acid is not combustible, but it is a STRONG
recommendations on the most protective glove and clothing OXIDIZER that enhances the combustion of other
material for your operation. substances.
 Safety equipment manufacturers recommend Butyl,  Use water only in flooding quantities. DO NOT USE
Neoprene, Silver Shield®/4H®, Viton and Barrier® for gloves CHEMICAL or FOAM as extinguishing agents.
(use only Barrier® for fuming Nitric Acid), and Tychem®  Use water spray to reduce vapors.
CPF 3, F, BR, Responder®, and TK; and Trellchem® HPS  POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including
and VPS; or the equivalent, as protective materials for Nitrogen Oxides.
clothing.  Use water spray to keep fire-exposed containers cool.
 All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear)
should be clean, available each day, and put on before work.
NITRIC ACID Page 4 of 6

Spills and Emergencies Occupational Health Information

If employees are required to clean-up spills, they must be
Resources
properly trained and equipped. The OSHA Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response Standard (29 CFR The New Jersey Department of Health and Occupational
1910.120) may apply. Health Service, offers multiple services in occupational health.
These services include providing informational resources,
If Nitric Acid is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: educational materials, public presentations, and industrial
hygiene and medical investigations and evaluations.
 Evacuate personnel and secure and control entrance to the
area.
 Eliminate all ignition sources. For more information, please contact:
 Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a similar
noncombustible material and place into sealed containers for
disposal. New Jersey Department of Health
 Neutralize remaining liquid with Sodium Carbonate or mild Right to Know
caustic. PO Box 368
 Ventilate area of spill or leak. Trenton, NJ 08625-0368
 It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Nitric Acid as Phone: 609-984-2202
a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Department of Fax: 609-984-7407
Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the
federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific E-mail: rtk@doh.nj.gov
recommendations. Web address:
http://nj.gov/health/workplacehealthandsafety/right-to-
know
Handling and Storage
Prior to working with Nitric Acid you should be trained on its The Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets
proper handling and storage. are not intended to be copied and sold
for commercial purposes.
 Nitric Acid reacts with WATER to release heat.
 Nitric Acid reacts violently or explosively with most
METALS and POWDERED METALS (such as ANTIMONY,
BISMUTH, MANGANESE and TITANIUM); ALKALI METALS
(such as LITHIUM, SODIUM and POTASSIUM); ALKALINE
EARTH METALS (such as BERYLLIUM, MAGNESIUM and
CALCIUM); and METAL HYDRIDES to form flammable and
explosive Hydrogen gas.
 Nitric Acid may react violently or cause fires with
COMBUSTIBLES; ORGANICS (such as TURPENTINE,
CHARCOAL and other CARBON CONTAINING
COMPOUNDS); AMMONIA; CYANIDES; SULFIDES;
CARBIDES; OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as
PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES,
CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and
FLUORINE); STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC,
SULFURIC and NITRIC); STRONG BASES (such as
SODIUM HYDROXIDE and POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE);
and ALCOHOLS.
 Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated
area away from LIGHT.
NITRIC ACID Page 5 of 6

GLOSSARY

ACGIH is the American Conference of Governmental Industrial LEL or Lower Explosive Limit, is the lowest concentration of
Hygienists. They publish guidelines called Threshold Limit a combustible substance (gas or vapor) in the air capable of
Values (TLVs) for exposure to workplace chemicals. continuing an explosion.
mg/m3 means milligrams of a chemical in a cubic meter of air.
Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs) are established
It is a measure of concentration (weight/volume).
by the EPA. They describe the risk to humans resulting from
once-in-a lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals.
A mutagen is a substance that causes mutations. A mutation
is a change in the genetic material in a body cell. Mutations
Boiling point is the temperature at which a substance can
can lead to birth defects, miscarriages, or cancer.
change its physical state from a liquid to a gas.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. It classifies
A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
substances according to their fire and explosion hazard.
The CAS number is unique, identifying number, assigned by
NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
the Chemical Abstracts Service, to a specific chemical.
Health. It tests equipment, evaluates and approves
respirators, conducts studies of workplace hazards, and
CFR is the Code of Federal Regulations, which are the
proposes standards to OSHA.
regulations of the United States government.
NTP is the National Toxicology Program which tests chemicals
A combustible substance is a solid, liquid or gas that will burn.
and reviews evidence for cancer.
A corrosive substance is a gas, liquid or solid that causes
OSHA is the federal Occupational Safety and Health
destruction of human skin or severe corrosion of containers.
Administration, which adopts and enforces health and safety
standards.
The critical temperature is the temperature above which a
gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of the pressure applied.
PEOSHA is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational
Safety and Health Act, which adopts and enforces health and
DEP is the New Jersey Department of Environmental
safety standards in public workplaces.
Protection.
Permeated is the movement of chemicals through protective
DOT is the Department of Transportation, the federal agency
materials.
that regulates the transportation of chemicals.
ppm means parts of a substance per million parts of air. It is a
EPA is the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal
measure of concentration by volume in air.
agency responsible for regulating environmental hazards.
Protective Action Criteria (PAC) are values established by
ERG is the Emergency Response Guidebook. It is a guide for
the Department of Energy and are based on AEGLs and
emergency responders for transportation emergencies
ERPGs. They are used for emergency planning of chemical
involving hazardous substances.
release events.
Emergency Response Planning Guideline (ERPG) values
A reactive substance is a solid, liquid or gas that releases
provide estimates of concentration ranges where one
energy under certain conditions.
reasonably might anticipate observing adverse effects.
STEL is a Short Term Exposure Limit which is usually a 15-
A fetus is an unborn human or animal.
minute exposure that should not be exceeded at any time
during a work day.
A flammable substance is a solid, liquid, vapor or gas that will
ignite easily and burn rapidly.
A teratogen is a substance that causes birth defects by
damaging the fetus.
The flash point is the temperature at which a liquid or solid
gives off vapor that can form a flammable mixture with air.
UEL or Upper Explosive Limit is the highest concentration in
air above which there is too much fuel (gas or vapor) to begin a
IARC is the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a
reaction or explosion.
scientific group.
Vapor Density is the ratio of the weight of a given volume of
Ionization Potential is the amount of energy needed to
one gas to the weight of another (usually Air), at the same
remove an electron from an atom or molecule. It is measured
temperature and pressure.
in electron volts.
The vapor pressure is a force exerted by the vapor in
IRIS is the Integrated Risk Information System database on
equilibrium with the solid or liquid phase of the same
human health effects that may result from exposure to various
substance. The higher the vapor pressure the higher
chemicals, maintained by federal EPA.
concentration of the substance in air.
 Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet

Common Name: NITRIC ACID

Synonyms: Aqua Fortis; Hydrogen Nitrate
CAS No: 7697-37-2
Molecular Formula: HNO3
RTK Substance No: 1356
Description: Colorless to yellow liquid, or reddish if fuming Nitric Acid, with a characteristic, irritating odor

HAZARD DATA
Hazard Rating Firefighting Reactivity
4 - Health REACTIVE LIQUID Nitric Acid reacts with WATER to release heat.
Nitric Acid is not combustible, but it is a Nitric Acid reacts violently or explosively with most METALS and
0 - Fire STRONG OXIDIZER that enhances the POWDERED METALS (such as ANTIMONY, BISMUTH,
combustion of other substances. MANGANESE and TITANIUM); ALKALI METALS (such as LITHIUM,
2 - Reactivity SODIUM and POTASSIUM); ALKALINE EARTH METALS (such as
Use water only in flooding quanitities. DO BERYLLIUM, MAGNESIUM and CALCIUM); and METAL HYDRIDES
DOT#: UN 3031 NOT USE CHEMICAL or FOAM as to form flammable and explosive Hydrogen gas.
UN 3032 extinguishing agents. Nitric Acid may react violently or cause fires with COMBUSTIBLES;
ERG Guide #: 157 Use water spray to reduce vapors. ORGANICS (such as TURPENTINE, CHARCOAL and other
CARBON CONTAINING COMPOUNDS); AMMONIA; CYANIDES;
Hazard Class: 8 POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN
SULFIDES; CARBIDES; OXIDIZING AGENTS (such as
FIRE, including Nitrogen Oxides. PERCHLORATES, PEROXIDES, PERMANGANATES,
(Corrosive)
Use water spray to keep fire-exposed CHLORATES, NITRATES, CHLORINE, BROMINE and FLUORINE);
containers cool. STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and
NITRIC); STRONG BASES (such as SODIUM HYDROXIDE and
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE); and ALCOHOLS.

SPILL/LEAKS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Isolation Distance: Odor Threshold: 0.29 to 0.98 ppm
Flash Point: Nonflammable
Small Spill: 30 meters (100 feet)
Vapor Density: 2.2 (air = 1)
Large Spill: 150 meters (500 feet)
Vapor Pressure: 48 mm Hg at 68oF (20oC)
Fire: 800 meters (1/2 mile)
Specific Gravity: 1.5 (water = 1)
Absorb liquids in dry sand, earth, or a similar noncombustible Water Solubility: Soluble
material and place into sealed containers for disposal.
Boiling Point: 181oF (83oC)
Neutralize remaining liquid with Sodium Carbonate or mild
Freezing Point: -44oF (-42oC)
caustic.
Ionization Potential: 11.95 eV
Nitrogen Oxides are toxic to animal life.
Molecular Weight: 63.02
pH: 1

EXPOSURE LIMITS PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

OSHA: 2 ppm, 8-hr TWA Gloves: Butyl, Neoprene, SilverShield®/4H®, Viton and Barrier® (>8-hr
NIOSH: 2 ppm, 10-hr TWA; 4 ppm STEL breakthrough) (only Barrier® for fuming Nitric Acid)
ACGIH: 2 ppm, 8-hr TWA; 4 ppm STEL Coveralls: Tychem® CPF3, F, BR, Responder® and TK; and Trellchem®,
IDLH: 25 ppm HPS and VPS (>8-hr breakthrough)
Respirator: >2 ppm - full facepiece APR with acid gas filters specific
The Protective Action Criteria values are: for Nitric Acid
PAC-1 = 0.16 ppm PAC-2 = 24 ppm PAC-3 = 92 ppm >20 ppm - SCBA

HEALTH EFFECTS FIRST AID AND DECONTAMINATION

Eyes: Severe irritation, burns and possible eye Remove the person from exposure.
damage Flush eyes with large amounts of water for at least 30 minutes. Remove
Skin: Irritation and burns contact lenses if worn. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation: Nose, throat and lung irritation with Quickly remove contaminated clothing and wash contaminated skin with
coughing and severe shortness of breath large amounts of water. Seek medical attention.
(pulmonary edema) Begin artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and CPR if necessary.
Transfer promptly to a medical facility.
Medical observation is recommended as symptoms may be delayed.
March 2016