Picric Acid

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Use water in large amounts. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest. Refer for medical attention.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap. Seek medical attention if you feel unwell.

Rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Refer for medical attention .

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

· CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.

· ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Picric acid:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

General First Aid:

General First Aid:

General First Aid:

The primary hazard is from blast effect where the entire load can explode instantaneously and not from flying projectiles and fragments. /Trinitrophenol, dry/

Closed containers may rupture violently when heated.

Explosive decomposition may occur under fire conditions.

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.

Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.

Use water spray to cool unopened containers.

Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol foam extinguishers ... If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. Containers may explode. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors or shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position ... The only respirators recommended for fire fighting are self-contained breathing apparatuses that have full facepieces and are operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

For more Fire Fighting Procedures (Complete) data for Picric acid (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Keep wetted with water. Do not allow material to become dry.

Keep in a cool place and remote from fire.

Store in a flammable materials storage area. Prior to working with this chemical you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. Store in an explosion-proof refrigerator away from oxidizers, reducing agents, and metals. Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Sources of ignition, such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where this chemical is handled, used, or stored. Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of this chemical should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. Use only non-sparking tools and equipment, especially when opening or closing containers of this chemical. Wherever this chemical is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proof electrical equipment and fittings.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated detached location. Do not allow material to become dry. Isolate from organic materials; transition and heavy metals.

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Wear respiratory protection. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Remove all sources of ignition. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Sweep up and shovel. Contain spillage, and then collect with an electrically protected vacuum cleaner or by wetbrushing and place in container for disposal according to local regulations.

Evacuate persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. Remove all ignition sources. Dampen spilled material with alcohol to avoid dust, then transfer material to a suitable container for eventual disposal. Collect powdered material in the the mose convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Ventilate area after clean-up is complete. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. ...

Prompt cleanup and removal are necessary. During cleanup, avoid shock, friction, or heat. With extreme caution, shovel into suitable dry container.

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Generators of waste (equal to or greater than 100 kg/mo) containing this contaminant, EPA hazardous waste number D003, must conform with USEPA regulations in storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste.

Product: Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber but exert extra care in igniting as this material is highly flammable. Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company; Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.

Controlled incineration in a rotary kiln incinerator equipped with particulate abatement and wet scrubber devices. Recommendable method: Incineration. Not recommendable method: Landfill. Peer review: Extreme care. Picric acid is a very shock sensitive high explosive when dry. Do not allow it to remain in contact with metals. Deliberately exploding picric acid using a detonator and booster explosive is an effective disposal method. Never treat a large amount at one time.

For more Disposal Methods (Complete) data for Picric acid (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Fifty mg/kg of picric acid injected ip into rats 30 min before morphine, meperidine, methadone, pentazocine, etonitazene, aminopyrine, sodium salicylate and pentobarbital potentiated analgesia and sleeping time induced by these drugs, but had no effect on pentylenetetrazole and amphetamine.

LC50; Species: Nitocra spinipes (Harpacticoid Copepod) age 2-4 wk, adult; Conditions: saltwater, static, 20 °C; Concentration: 72000 ug/L for 96 hr /formulation/

EC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age 6-24 hr newborn, clone 1; Conditions: freshwater, static, 20 °C, dissolved oxygen >80%; Concentration: 104000 ug/L for 24 hr; Effect: intoxication, immobilization /formulation/

EC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water Flea) age 6-24 hr newborn, clone 1; Conditions: freshwater, static, 20 °C, dissolved oxygen >80%; Concentration: 55000 ug/L for 48 hr; Effect: intoxication, immobilization /formulation/

LC50; Species: Americamysis bahia (Opossum Shrimp) age 4 days, juvenile; Conditions: saltwater, static, 20 °C, pH > or =7.0-8.0, dissolved oxygen 70-121%; Concentration: 13000 ug/L for 96 hr /> or =99% purity/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Picric acid (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 2250(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that picric acid is expected to have slight mobility in soil(SRC). The pKa of picric acid is 0.42(3), indicating that this compound will exist entirely in the anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4). Volatilization of the anion from moist soil is not expected because anions do not volatilize(SRC). Picric acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a vapor pressure of 7.5X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C(5). A 23% of Theoretical BOD using activated sludge in the Japanese MITI test(6) suggests that biodegradation is not an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 2250(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that picric acid is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). A pKa of 0.42(3) indicates picric acid will exist entirely in the anion form at pH values of 5 to 9 and, therefore, volatilization from water surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC). The picric acid concentration in sterile pore water decreased from 2000 umoles/L to <1500 umoles/L at 20 °C after 28 days, suggesting that hydrolysis or other unknown abiotic breakdown processes contribute to picric acid transformation(4). According to a classification scheme(5), BCFs of <2.2 measured in carp (Cyprinus carpio)(6) suggest bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Under simulated solar radiation, the picric acid concentration in seawater decreased from 3510.55 umoles/L to 3206.05 umoles/L after 47 days exposure(4). Mixed cultures of phenol adapted microorganisms exhibited little or no oxygen uptake in the presence of picric acid(7-8), suggesting that picric acid is resistant to degradation under aerobic conditions(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), picric acid, which has a vapor pressure of 7.5X10-7 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase picric acid is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 110 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.4X10-13 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase picric acid may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Picric acid contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by ingestion.

inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Picric acid is a yellow solid. It is used in explosives, matches, electric batteries, in the leather industry, for etching copper, in the manufacture colored glass, and as a textile mordant. It is also a reagent for preparation of organic derivatives for chemical identification. HUMAN STUDIES: Picric acid dust or fumes cause irritation of eyes, and this may be aggravated by sensitization. Skin contact with the dry powder of picric acid or ammonium picrate powder caused sensitization dermatitis among workers. The face was usually involved, especially around the mouth and sides of the nose. Edema, papules, vesicles, and finally desquamation developed. Potential symptoms of overexposure also include yellow stained hair and skin, weakness, myalgia, anuria, polyuria, bitter taste, GI disturbances, hepatitis, hematuria, albuminuria, and nephritis. Systemic poisoning following the absorption of picric acid caused symptoms of headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Yellow coloration of the skin and conjunctiva have occurred, and there have been reports of darkened or port wine-colored urine. During the 1920's and 30's picric acid was used both alone and in combination with butyl aminobenzoate as an antiseptic surgical dressing for treatment of burns. A serious dysfunction of the central nervous system following topical application of picric acid was reported. Approximately 4% of the patients treated with picric acid were sensitive and developed a local dermatitis. ANIMAL STUDIES: Blood gas analysis indicated severe acidosis during acute intoxication. After an acute lethal dose of picric acid, dogs died from respiratory paralysis. Autopsy results demonstrated the presence of yellow staining of the subcutaneous fat, lung, intestines and blood vessels. Swelling of the liver and glomerulitis were also observed. Sublethal doses of picric acid less than or equal to 50 mg/kg in dogs have resulted in transitory changes in the kidney, including glomerulitis and other changes in kidney ultrastructure. Mutagenic assays of picric acid were carried out with histidine-requiring strains of Salmonella typhimurium. Picric acid (10 micrograms per plate) demonstrated mutagenicity (both frame shift and base substitution-type mutations) only after metabolic activation. Picric acid was reported to be positive for the induction of sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: No significant inhibition of growth was observed for rainbow trout exposed to 0.45 and 0.05 mg/L picric acid. American oysters exposed to 0.45 and 0.05 mg/L picric acid showed significant inhibition of shell deposition during exposure period. Discoloration of nacre layer of the shell and body mass was observed in oysters.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Juvenile rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) were exposed to sublethal doses of picric acid and picramic acid for 42 days. No significant inhibition of growth was observed for rainbow trout exposed to 0.45 and 0.05 mg/L picric acid. American oysters exposed to 0.45 and 0.05 mg/L picric acid showed significant inhibition of shell deposition during exposure period. Discoloration of nacre layer of the shell and body mass was observed in oysters exposed to both compounds by the end of 42 days.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Picramic acid was more toxic than picric acid to rainbow trout and American oysters. Sublethal no growth median effective concentrations (EC50) and shell deposition ED50 for oysters showed that both compounds caused adverse effects at much lower concentrations than indicated by the LD50 values. The 144 hr shell deposition EC50s were 27.9 mg/L for picric acid and 5.6 mg/L for picramic acid. Sediment adsorption studies in estuarine water indicated that both compounds are not readily adsorbed. Oysters, which filter large quantities of particulate matter, would more likely be affected by picric acid and picramic acid.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ A toxicity database for ordnance compounds was generated using eight compounds of concern /including picric acid/ and marine toxicity tests with five species from different phyla. Toxicity tests and endpoints included fertilization success and embryological development with the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata; zoospore germination, germling length, and cell number with the green macroalga Ulva fasciata; survival and reproductive success of the polychaete Dinophilus gyrociliatus; larvae hatching and survival with the redfish Sciaenops ocellatus; and survival of juveniles of the opossum shrimp Americamysis bahia (formerly Mysidopsis bahia). ... The most sensitive toxicity test endpoints overall were the macroalga zoospore germination and the polychaete reproduction tests. The most toxic ordnance compounds overall were tetryl and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene. These were also the most degradable compounds, often being reduced to very low or below-detection levels at the end of the test exposure. Among the dinitro- and trinitrotoluenes and benzenes, toxicity tended to increase with the level of nitrogenation. Picric acid and RDX were the least toxic chemicals tested overall.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Toxicological and chemical studies were performed with a silty and a sandy marine sediment spiked with 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT), 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine (tetryl), or 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid). Whole sediment toxicity was analyzed by the 10-day survival test with the amphipod Ampelisca abdita, and porewater toxicity tests assessed macro-algae (Ulva fasciata) zoospore germination and germling growth, sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata) embryological development, and polychaete (Dinophilus gyrociliatus) survival and reproduction. ... The ... picric acid LC50 in the sandy sediment /was/ 144 mg/kg dry weight ... . The fine-grained sediment spiked with picric acid generated a U-shaped concentration-response curve in the amphipod test, with increased survival both in the lowest and highest concentration. Grain-size distribution and organic carbon content strongly influenced the behavior of ordnance compounds in spiked sediments. ... Porewater toxicity varied with its sedimentary origin and with ordnance compound. The sea urchin embryological development test tended to be the least sensitive. /Picric acid was the least/ toxic chemical in all porewater tests ... .

Headache. Nausea. Vomiting.

Redness.

Headache. Dizziness. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhoea.

irritation eyes, skin; sensitization dermatitis; yellow-stained hair, skin; lassitude (weakness, exhaustion), myalgia, anuria, polyuria; bitter taste, gastrointestinal disturbance; hepatitis, hematuria (blood in the urine), albuminuria, nephritis

The following link will take the user to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Test Status of Agents Search page, which tabulates the results and current status of tests such as "Short-Term Toxicity Studies", "Long-term Carcinogenicity Studies", "Developmental Studies", "Genetic Toxicology Studies", etc., performed with this chemical. Testing status for picric acid is available.[Available from, as of March 27, 2018: https://ntpsearch.niehs.nih.gov/?e=True&ContentType=Testing+Status]

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of picric acid can be estimated to be 2250(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that picric acid is expected to have slight mobility in soil. The pKa of picric acid is 0.24(3), indicating that this compound will exist entirely in anion form in the environment and anions generally do not adsorb more strongly to soils containing organic carbon and clay than their neutral counterparts(4).

Trinitrophenol

A Commercial Grade

5000

A Commercial Grade

400

Explosive chemical that can be released at a facility.

Used as an explosive, dye, fungicide, copper etching agent, and chemical intermediate for metal picrates; it is used in the manufacturing of leather products, batteries, colored glass, textile mordants, rocket fuel, and photographic emulsions; [HSDB]

An OSHA Class A Explosive (1910.109)

Battery Manufacturing [Category: Industry]

Explosives, matches; in leather industry; electric batteries; etching copper; manufacture colored glass; textile mordant. Reagent for preparation of organic derivatives for identification.

Used in synthesis of dyes.

Picric acid was used as solvent for extraction of insulin from human tissue.

(1972) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 4.54X10+5 G

(1975) PROBABLY GREATER THAN 4.54X10+5 G

Production volumes for non-confidential chemicals reported under the Inventory Update Rule. [Table#3803]

Prepared by sulfonating phenol then treating with nitric acid ... ; by treating benzene with nitric acid and mercuric nitrate: Teeters, Mueller, United States of America patent 2455322 (1948 to Allied Chem.); by nitration of 2-tert-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol ... .

Nitration of phenolsulfonic acid, obtained by heating phenol with concentrated sulfuric acid.

Grades: technical paste; pure paste.

Usually found in solution with 10 - 20% water.

Phenol, 2,4,6-trinitro-: ACTIVE

The explosive power of picric acid is somewhat superior to that of TNT, both as regards to the strength and the velocity of detonation.