How to Stay Safe When Working With Nitric Acid Formulas

Did you know that world fertilizer consumption was expected to reach 199 million tons in 2019? And in the coming years, that figure will only increase.

A major component in the production of fertilizers is nitric acid. in fact, this highly corrosive mineral acid is important in a number of industrial processes. The problem with nitric acid is that it is very dangerous to work with.

When working with nitric acid formulas, it’s very important to follow the necessary safety precautions. This is to ensure that hazardous exposures don’t occur. Keep reading to find out how to stay safe when working with nitric acid.

What Is Nitric Acid?

Nitric acid is a mineral acid made up of nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen. Its chemical formula is HNO3. You may be wondering – is nitric acid a strong acid? The answer to that is yes, which means it completely dissociates into it’s its ions in water.

Nitric acid is a colorless liquid. It is corrosive and very toxic. Nevertheless, it is a common laboratory chemical. It is also important for the manufacture of fertilizers and even explosives.

Solutions containing nitric acid at a high concentration give off fumes. These fumes are white or red in color and very corrosive. They are also toxic if inhaled.

Nitric acid reacts with ammonia to form ammonium nitrate –  a major component of modern fertilizers. Nitric acid is also used in the manufacture of nitroglycerin and trinitrotoluene (TNT). Both of which are powerful explosives.

What Is It Used For?

As stated above, nitric acid is used in the production of fertilizers and explosives. However, its uses don’t end there.

Nitric acid has a number of industrial uses. It is used to manufacture several kinds of polymers such as polyurethane. Polyurethane products are used in insulation, footwear, and protective coatings.

Nitric acid is also used in the production of rocket fuel, inks and dyes, ammunition, and commercial cleaning agents. 

Dangers of Working With Nitric Acid Formulas

Understanding nitric acid and how to work with it safely is important for mitigating any possible health hazards that may occur.

Due to its extreme corrosivity, nitric acid can cause severe chemical burns if it comes in contact with the skin. Inhaling nitric acid fumes is also very dangerous. These fumes are toxic and can damage the mucous membranes and tissues of the respiratory tract.

Furthermore, inhaling these fumes may cause muscle spasms, severe inflammation, pulmonary edema (fluid build-up in the lungs), and even death.

If nitric acid fumes come in contact with the eyes, this will result in serious burns. Depending on the level of exposure, this can lead to permanent eye damage and even blindness. Ingestion of nitric acid can cause severe burns in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.

Chronic exposure to nitric acid fumes can lead to erosion of the teeth, skin damage, and kidney damage.

Nitric acid is reactive if exposed to certain compounds. These include:

  • Combustible chemicals (e.g. petrol)
  • Metals (e.g. aluminum)
  • Flammable chemicals (e.g. acetone)
  • Metal compounds (e.g. steel)
  • Bases (e.g. sodium hydroxide)
  • Reducing agents (e.g. ammonia)

If nitric acid comes in contact with organic chemicals or ammonia, an explosion may occur. Because of this, it’s extremely important to keep it away from all of the above-mentioned compounds.

Nitric Acid Safety Guide

When working with nitric acid in the lab, it’s important to follow strict safety protocols. Due to it’s toxic and highly corrosive nature, nitric acid must be handled very carefully. Those working in factories or labs are most at risk of nitric acid exposure. 

It’s recommended to wear protective equipment when handling nitric acid. This includes safety glasses, gloves, a face shield. If proper ventilation (such as a fume hood) is not available, then use a vapor respirator. Washing facilities should also be close by in case exposure occurs. 

All containers of nitric acid should remain closed when not in use and all reactive metals/organic compounds should be stored in a separate facility.

When diluting nitric acid, you should always add the acid to the water and not the other way around. Why? Well, when acid and water are mixed they react vigorously, giving off lots of heat.

If you add water to the acid, the water will begin to boil and this may cause some of the acid to splash up – increasing the chance of injury. However, if you slowly add the acid to the water, this won’t happen. Because nitric acid is a strong acid, it’s even more important to follow this rule.

If nitric acid comes in contact with either your skin or eyes, you should immediately rinse the area with water for at least 15 minutes. It’s also important to remove all contaminated clothing and wash well with soap.

If you inhale nitric acid fumes, you should seek medical attention. If you ingest it, the best thing to do is rinse your mouth out with water. Then, drink a glass of water or milk and seek medical attention immediately.

How to Store Nitric Acid

Nitric acid should be stored in a cool, dry, secure area, away from any reactive materials such as metals or organic compounds. Store your nitric acid in sealed, glass containers, away from direct sunlight.

Your containers should also be clearly labeled to avoid confusion. When disposing of nitric acid, be sure to follow federal, state, and local environmental control regulations.

Stay Safe While Working With Nitric Acid

Working with nitric acid formulas can be dangerous if you don’t know how to handle them properly. However, if you follow this guide, you’ll be safe from any possibility of injury.

Now you’re aware of what chemicals react with nitric acid and the correct way to store it and handle it in the lab. You also know exactly what you need to do if exposure occurs.

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