POTASSIUM NITRATE
MSDS Number: P5950 --- Effective Date: 12/08/96
1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Saltpeter; niter; Nitric acid, potassium salt
CAS No.: 7757-79-1
Molecular Weight: 101.1
Chemical Formula: KNO3
Product Codes: J.T. Baker:
3190, 3191, 3192, 3194, 8005
Mallinckrodt:
3651, 6370, 6390, 6715, 7028
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------- ---------
Potassium Nitrate 7757-79-1 99 - 100% Yes
3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
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DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE.
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. CAUSES IRRITATION
TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
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Health Rating: 1 - Slight
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 3 - Severe (Oxidizer)
Contact Rating: 1 - Slight
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT
Storage Color Code: Yellow (Reactive)
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Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------
Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Symptoms may include coughing,
shortness of breath.
Ingestion:
Causes irritation to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms may include
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause gastroenteritis and abdominal
pains. Purging and diuresis can be expected. Rare cases of nitrates being
converted to the more toxic nitrites have been reported, mostly with
infants.
Skin Contact:
Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact:
Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Under some circumstances methemoglobinemia occurs in individuals when the
nitrate is converted by bacteria in the stomach to nitrite. Nausea,
vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart beat, irregular breathing, convulsions,
coma, and death can occur should this conversion take place. Chronic
exposure to nitrites may cause anemia and adverse effects to kidney.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
No information found.
4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical attention.
Ingestion:
Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention.
Skin Contact:
Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while
removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention. Wash
clothing before reuse. Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes,
lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention
immediately.
5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire:
Not combustible, but substance is a strong oxidizer and its heat of
reaction with reducing agents or combustibles may cause ignition.
Explosion:
Some nitrates may explode when shocked, exposed to heat or flame, or by
spontaneous chemical reaction. Sealed containers may rupture when heated.
Sensitive to mechanical impact.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Dry chemical, carbon dioxide, Halon, water spray, or fog. If water is
used, apply from as far a distance as possible. Water spray may be used to
keep fire exposed containers cool. Do not allow water runoff to enter
sewers or waterways.
Special Information:
Wear full protective clothing and breathing equipment for high-intensity
fire or potential explosion conditions. This oxidizing material can
increase the flammability of adjacent combustible materials.
6. Accidental Release Measures
Remove all sources of ignition. Ventilate area of leak or spill. Wear
appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8.
Spills: Clean up spills in a manner that does not disperse dust into the
air. Use non-sparking tools and equipment. Reduce airborne dust and prevent
scattering by moistening with water. Pick up spill for recovery or disposal
and place in a closed container.
7. Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area.
Protect against physical damage and moisture. Isolate from any source of
heat or ignition. Avoid storage on wood floors. Separate from
incompatibles, combustibles, organic or other readily oxidizable materials.
Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain
product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions
listed for the product.
8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
None established.
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee
exposures as low as possible. Local exhaust ventilation is generally
preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its
source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please
refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of
Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
For conditions of use where exposure to the dust or mist is apparent, a
half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn. For emergencies or instances
where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-face positive-pressure,
air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not
protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Wear impervious protective clothing, including boots, gloves, lab coat,
apron or coveralls, as appropriate, to prevent skin contact.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where dusting or
splashing of solutions is possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and
quick-drench facilities in work area.
9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
White crystals.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
36 gm/l00 ml water
Specific Gravity:
2.1
pH:
ca. 7
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
400C (752F)
Melting Point:
333C (631F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
3.00
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
Negligible @ 20C
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.
10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Oxides of nitrogen and toxic metal fumes may form when heated to
decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Heavy metals, phosphites, organic compounds, carbonaceous materials, strong
acids, and many other substances.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flames, ignition sources and incompatibles.
11. Toxicological Information
Oral rat LD50: 3750 mg/kg. Investigated as a mutagen, reproductive
effector.
--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Potassium Nitrate (7757-79-1) No No None
12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
No information found.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.
13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as
hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use
or contamination of this product may change the waste management options.
State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal
regulations.
Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state
and local requirements.
14. Transport Information
Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: POTASSIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1486
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 200LB
International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: POTASSIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1486
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 200LB
International (Air, I.C.A.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: POTASSIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1486
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 200LB
15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Potassium Nitrate (7757-79-1) Yes Yes Yes Yes
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Potassium Nitrate (7757-79-1) Yes Yes No Yes
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Potassium Nitrate (7757-79-1) No No No Nitrate Cmpd
--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Potassium Nitrate (7757-79-1) No No No
Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: No Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes (Pure / Solid)
Australian Hazchem Code: 1[T]
Poison Schedule: No information found.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of
the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains
all of the information required by the CPR.
16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings:
Health: 1 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 0
Other: Oxidizer
Label Hazard Warning:
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE. HARMFUL
IF SWALLOWED, INHALED OR ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN,
EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Label Precautions:
Keep from contact with clothing and other combustible materials.
Store in a tightly closed container.
Do not store near combustible materials.
Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Avoid breathing dust.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. If inhaled, remove to
fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is
difficult, give oxygen. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin
with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated
clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. In all cases, get medical
attention.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
Pure. New 16 section MSDS format, all sections have been revised.
Disclaimer:
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Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good
faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This
document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling
of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals
receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in
determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER,
INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE
PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC.
WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS
INFORMATION.
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Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)