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PICRIC ACID, WETTED WITH NOT LESS THAN 30% WATER BY MASS

4.1 - Flammable solid
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The Chemical Identifier fields include common identification numbers, the NFPA diamond U.S. Department of Transportation hazard labels, and a general description of the chemical. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
CAS Number UN/NA Number
  • 88-89-1
DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • Flammable Solid
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Picric acidexternal_link
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
4
3 4
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 4 Burns readily. Rapidly or completely vaporizes at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature.
Yellow Instability 4 Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
White Special
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A paste or slurry consisting of the yellow crystalline solid mixed with water. The dry compound is a sensitive high explosive. The mixture with water is considered safe for storage, handling and shipping. Can be detonated with a number 8 electric blasting cap. The primary hazard is blast where the entire load explodes instantaneously and not from flying projectiles fragments. Can explode under prolonged exposure to heat.

The Hazard fields include special hazard alerts air and water reactions, fire hazards, health hazards, a reactivity profile, and details about reactive groups assignments and potentially incompatible absorbents. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Reactivity Alerts
none
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames. DRIED OUT material may explode if exposed to heat, flame, friction or shock; treat as an explosive (ERG Guide 112). Keep material wet with water or treat as an explosive (ERG Guide 112). Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2024)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Some are toxic and may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Specifically, Dinitrophenol, wetted (UN1320); Dinitrophenolates, wetted (UN1321), Sodium dinitro-o-cresolate, wetted (UN1348); and Barium azide, wetted (UN1571) are known to be toxic. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2024)
Reactivity Profile
PICRIC ACID, WETTED WITH NOT LESS THAN 30% WATER BY MASS undergoes vigorous reactions with both oxidizing or reducing agents. Burns if ignited by a flame and continues to burns quietly if the quantity is small or, if large, is thinly spread over an area. The dry compound can explode if shocked or exposed to heat. Wetting significantly reduces the tendency to explode. Readily forms salts on contact with many metals (including copper, lead, mercury, zinc, nickel, iron). The salts are sensitive explosives when subjected to heat, friction, or impact. Contact with concrete floors may form the friction-sensitive explosive calcium picrate [Urbanski, 1964, vol. 1, p. 518]. Contact with metallic zinc or lead can cause detonation. Salts with ammonia, amines and complexes with hydrocarbons are less sensitive [Kirk-Othmer, 1965, vol. 8, p. 617].
Belongs to the Following Reactive Group(s)
Potentially Incompatible Absorbents

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below. More info about absorbents, including situations to watch out for...

  • Cellulose-Based Absorbents
  • Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

The Response Recommendation fields include isolation and evacuation distances, as well as recommendations for firefighting, non-fire response, protective clothing, and first aid. The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.
Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial evacuation for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)
Firefighting
Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

CARGO FIRE: DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches cargo! Cargo may EXPLODE! Stop all traffic and clear the area for at least 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions and let burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat.

TIRE OR VEHICLE FIRE: Use plenty of water - FLOOD it! If water is not available, use CO2, dry chemical or dirt. If possible, and WITHOUT RISK, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles from maximum distance to prevent fire from spreading to cargo area. Pay special attention to tire fires as re-ignition may occur. Stand by, at a safe distance, with extinguisher ready for possible re-ignition. (ERG, 2024)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material.

SMALL SPILL: Flush area with large amounts of water.

LARGE SPILL: Wet down with water and dike for later disposal. KEEP "WETTED" PRODUCT WET BY SLOWLY ADDING FLOODING QUANTITIES OF WATER. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 113 [Flammable Materials (Wet / Desensitized Explosive)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
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.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. IMMEDIATELY call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. Generally, the induction of vomiting is NOT recommended outside of a physician's care due to the risk of aspirating the chemical into the victim's lungs. However, if the victim is conscious and not convulsing and if medical help is not readily available, consider the risk of inducing vomiting because of the high toxicity of the chemical ingested. Ipecac syrup or salt water may be used in such an emergency. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

The Physical Property fields include properties such as vapor pressure and boiling point, as well as explosive limits and toxic exposure thresholds The information in CAMEO Chemicals comes from a variety of data sources.

Note: For Vapor Density and Specific Gravity, comparing the value to 1.0 can tell you if the chemical will likely sink/rise in air or sink/float in fresh water (respectively). Short phrases have been added to those values below as an aid. However, make sure to also consider the circumstances of a release. The Vapor Density comparisons are only valid when the gas escaping is at the same temperature as the surrounding air itself. If the chemical is escaping from a container where it was pressurized or refrigerated, it may first escape and behave as a heavy gas and sink in the air (even if it has a Vapor Density value less than 1). Also, the Specific Gravity comparisons are for fresh water (density 1.0 g/mL). If your spill is in salt water (density about 1.027 g/mL), you need to adjust the point of comparison. There are some chemicals that will sink in fresh water and float in salt water.
Chemical Formula:
  • (NO2)3C6H2OH
Flash Point: 302°F (NTP, 1992)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: 572°F (NTP, 1992)
Melting Point: 251 to 253°F (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Pressure: less than 1 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 7.9 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.763 (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: greater than 572°F at 760 mmHg (Sublimes/explodes) (NTP, 1992)
Molecular Weight: 229.12 (NTP, 1992)
Water Solubility: 1 to 10 mg/mL at 75°F (NTP, 1992)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 75 mg/m3 [From NPG: Picric acid] (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Picric acid (88-89-1) 0.3 mg/m3 17 mg/m3 100 mg/m3
(DOE, 2024)

The Regulatory Information fields include information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Title III Consolidated List of Lists, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard List (see more about these data sources).

EPA Consolidated List of Lists

Regulatory Name CAS Number/
313 Category Code
EPCRA 302
EHS TPQ
EPCRA 304
EHS RQ
CERCLA RQ EPCRA 313
TRI
RCRA
Code
CAA 112(r)
RMP TQ
Picric acid 88-89-1 313

(EPA List of Lists, 2024)

CISA Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS)

RELEASE THEFT SABOTAGE
Chemical of Interest CAS Number Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Min Conc STQ Security
Issue
Trinitrophenol 88-89-1 ACG 5000 pounds explosive ACG 400 pounds EXP/IEDP

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

This section provides a listing of alternate names for this chemical, including trade names and synonyms.
  • C.I. 10305
  • CARBAZOTIC ACID
  • 2-HYDROXY-1,3,5-TRINITROBENZENE
  • 1-HYDROXY-2,4,6-TRINITROBENZENE
  • LYDDITE
  • MELINITE
  • NITROXANTHIC ACID
  • PA
  • PERTITE
  • PHENOL TRINITRATE
  • PICRAL
  • PICRIC ACID
  • PICRIC ACID, WETTED WITH NOT LESS THAN 30% WATER BY MASS
  • PICRONITRIC ACID
  • SHIMOSE
  • TRINITROPHENOL
  • TRINITROPHENOL, WETTED WITH NOT LESS THAN 30% WATER BY MASS
  • 1,3,5-TRINITROPHENOL
  • 2,4,6-TRINITROPHENOL

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