Is picric acid toxic?

Picric acid is toxic by skin contact, ingestion or inhalation causing skin discolouration, skin sensitisation and in high concentrations kidney and liver damage. However in addition to its toxicity, picric acid can present a risk of explosion when encountered as a dry solid (in particular when crystalline).

Why is picric acid explosive?

Potential Explosion Hazards Picric acid readily forms salts on contact with many metals (including copper, lead, mercury, zinc, nickel, and iron) that are more sensitive explosives than picric acid itself when subjected to heat, friction, or impact. Salts formed with ammonia and amines are also sensitive explosives.

How do you handle picric acid?

Best Practices for Safe Handling sold moistened (not as a dry solid). Do not use a new bottle until the old picric acid is used completely. picrates are much more sensitive to potential explosion than picric acid, itself. Never put picric acid in a metal container or use metal (unlined) lids.

Is picric acid a carcinogen?

Therefore picric acid has been classified in Carcinogen category 3B.

How is ether stored?

Ethers should be stored in tightly closed containers within properly labelled fire resistant metal cabinets, or bins, and on drip trays. They must be stored separate from oxidizers.

Which acid is used in explosive?

Picric acid is used in the production of explosives, matches, and electric batteries.

Why do your fingers become yellow with picric acid?

For medical use it is incorporated in a surface anesthetic ointment or solution and in burn ointments. Picric acid is a much stronger acid than phenol; it decomposes carbonates and may be titrated with bases. In a basic medium, lead acetate produces a bright yellow precipitate, lead picrate.

Is formaldehyde a human carcinogen?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen (2). In 2011, the National Toxicology Program, an interagency program of the Department of Health and Human Services, named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its 12th Report on Carcinogens (3).