Nitric acid - HNO3
Find here the essential information on nitric acid (HNO3) or hydrogen nitrate: characteristics, effects on health, detection devices & systems - HNO3 gas detector - and proper respiratory protective equipment (nitric acid respirator gas mask or powered air respirator with E-P3 combined filter).
Nitric acid (HNO3) properties
Nitric acid (HNO3) - also known as hydrogen nitrate - is mainly used in the food industry for nitrogen fertilizers production. It is also used to produce explosives and nitrous compounds. This substance can be used in pharmaceutics, in the steel industries and also for metals treatment (pickling, scraping).
| CAS | TWA (8 hours) | STEL (15 minutes) | LEL | IP | Density / Air | Filter / SCBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7697-37-2 | - | 1 ppm | - | 11.95 eV | 2.2 | E-P3 |
Nitric acid effects on health
At normal temperature and pressure conditions, nitric acid (HNO3) is a colorless liquid with a suffocating smell and can be detected at extremely low concentrations. It is toxic by inhalation (H331), corrosive for the respiratory tracts and can cause severe chemical burns and damage the eyes. The IARC* classified this gas in category 1 as it revealed links between chronic exposure and several forms of cancer.
*IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer (depends on WHO World Health Organization)
HNO3 gas detector (Nitric acid)
Nitric acid respiratory protection (HNO3)
As nitric acid is irritating to the eyes, workers have to wear a full-face mask for short-term applications or a powered air purifying respirator - which is more comfortable - with E-P3 combined filter up to 30 times the OEL.