ABC of Safety in the Biological Sciences
PICRIC ACID [(NO2)3C6H2OH]
SYNONYMS
2,4,6trinitrophenol, picronitric, nitroxanthic acid.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
Avoid eye contact.
Avoid skin contact can cause eczema.
Avoid inhalation of the vapour.
Keep away from heat or naked flames.
Keep away from reducing agents and combustible material.
Store the powder under water.
Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
CHARACTERISTICS
Yellow crystals, normally stored under water because of the
explosive nature of the crystals when they are dry.
HEALTH HAZARD DATA
A combustible substance that is a contact explosive when the
crystals are dry. The powder should be stored under water. It is
a strong oxidising agent and reacts violently with combustible
material and reducing agents, with fire and explosion hazards.
It is toxic and can be absorbed into the body by inhalation (vapour)
or ingestion (liquid). It is highly corrosive to eyes. It is an
irritant to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and prolonged
exposure to skin may cause dermatitis. It is a neurotoxin and
can cause convulsions. It can be absorbed through the skin and
discolours the skin, yellow. Inhalation causes sore throat,
bronchitis, dry hacking cough and haemoptysis. Ingestion causes
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
TREATMENTS
Skin remove contaminated clothing and immediately wash the
affected area with large amounts of water until all evidence of
the chemical has been removed (approximately 15 minutes). If
irritation or pain persists or eczema develops, seek medical
advice. Decontaminate clothing before re-use.
Eyes immediately wash the affected eye with large amounts of
water until all evidence of the chemical has been removed
(approximately 15 minutes). If irritation or pain persist seek
medical advice.
Inhalation remove from the area of exposure to fresh air. Keep
warm and allow to rest. Seek immediate medical advice. Ingestion
rinse the mouth with water and give plenty of water to drink.
Induce vomiting by administering Ipecac syrup. Seek immediate
medical attention.
INCOMPATIBILITY
Picric acid is incompatible with:
Combustible material violent reaction.
Oxidising agents - violent reaction.
Reducing substances violent reaction.
Heating produces an explosion risk.
Picric acid reacts with copper, lead and zinc to form compounds
that are sensitive to mechanical shock.
Do not allow the powder to dry out explosive.
It has been reported as reacting with calcium salts in concrete
to form friction sensitive explosive compounds.
STORAGE
Store the powder under water in a cool, dry atmosphere away from
direct sunlight, combustible material and reducing agents and
other incompatible substances.
HANDLING
Use a fume hood that will keep the level of exposure below the
recommended threshold limit, ie. 0.1 mgm3. If
exposure is expected to exceed this limit then a respirator is
recommended. Wear protective clothing. A long sleeved laboratory
coat or gown, rubber gloves, safety goggles and a face mask as a
minimum standard.
DISPOSAL
WEAR:
Butyl rubber gloves, laboratory coat, self contained breathing
apparatus and protective shoes.
SPILLS:
On skin and clothing: wash skin with a strong soap solution
immediately. Rinse well. Contaminated clothing should be removed
and cleaned at once or destroyed by burning.
Small spills: absorb liquid on paper towels or vermiculite;
sweep solid spills on to paper. Put on an iron pan in a fume
hood and allow to evaporate. Burn the paper or vermiculite in
the absence of other inflammables. Wash the site thoroughly with
a strong soap solution.
Large spills: absorb or mix with vermiculite, sodium bicarbonate
or sand. Package this in a paper carton and burn in an open pit.
Use wood scraps and crumpled paper to augment burning. Wash the
site thoroughly with a strong soap solution.
PACKAGE LOTS: Either
1 Pour os sift on to sodium bicarbonate or a sand, soda ash
mixture (90/10). Mix and package in heavy paper cartons with
plenty of paper packing to serve as fuel. Burn in an
incinerator.
OR
2 Mix with a flammable solvent and spray into a firebox of an
incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber.
NOTE:
Destruction by chemical decomposition is recommended for dinitro,
trinitro and other compounds with explosive potential. Add the
material, slowly, while stirring, to 30 times its weight of a
solution prepared by dissolving 1 part sodium sulphide in 6
parts water. For unstable acidic materials (eg. picric acid)
dissolve in 25 times its weight in a solution from 1 part sodium
hydroxide and 21 parts sodium sulphide in 200 parts water. Some
hydrogen sulphide and ammonia is evolved.
ENVIRONMENT:
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