Picric acid

Synonyms & Trade Names

Phenol trinitrate, 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol [Note: An OSHA Class A Explosive (1910.109).]

Physical Description

Yellow, odorless solid. [Note: Usually used as an aqueous solution.]

Incompatibilities & Reactivities

Copper, lead, zinc & other metals; salts; plaster; concrete; ammonia [Note: Corrosive to metals. An explosive mixture results when the aqueous solution crystallizes.]

Symptoms

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

Respirator Recommendations

NIOSH/OSHA

Up to 0.5 mg/m³:
(APF = 5) Any quarter-mask respirator.
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Up to 1 mg/m³:
(APF = 10) Any particulate respirator equipped with an N95, R95, or P95 filter (including N95, R95, and P95 filtering facepieces) except quarter-mask respirators. The following filters may also be used: N99, R99, P99, N100, R100, P100.
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(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator

Up to 2.5 mg/m³:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 25) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a high-efficiency particulate filter.

Up to 5 mg/m³:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
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(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator that has a tight-fitting facepiece and is operated in a continuous-flow mode
(APF = 50) Any powered, air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece and a high-efficiency particulate filter
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece

Up to 75 mg/m³:
(APF = 2000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus

Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator with an N100, R100, or P100 filter.
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Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus

Important additional information about respirator selection