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Chemical Datasheet

NITRIC OXIDE

2.3 - Poisonous gas 5.1 - Oxidizer 8 - Corrosive

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 10102-43-9   (NITRIC OXIDE)
  • 1660
  • Poison Gas
  • Oxidizer
  • Corrosive
  • NTX
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Nitric oxide
  • NITRIC OXIDE
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
0
3 0
ox
Blue Health 3 Can cause serious or permanent injury.
Red Flammability 0 Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
Yellow Instability 0 Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
White Special OX Possesses oxidizing properties.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A colorless gas. Noncombustible but accelerates the burning of combustible material. Vapors heavier than air. Very toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Heating the containers may cause them to rupture violently and rocket.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Combines very rapidly with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water to form nitric acid and nitric oxide, reacts with alkalis to form nitrates and nitrites [Merck 11th ed. 1989].
Fire Hazard
Burns only when heated with hydrogen. With carbon disulfide, it reacts explosively with emission of light. When mixed with chlorine monoxide, can be explosive. Explodes on contact with nitrogen trichloride. When mixed with ozone, it will explode. Will react with water or steam to produce heat and corrosive fumes. Reacts vigorously with reducing materials. When heated to decomposition, highly toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides are emitted. May ignite other combustible materials (wood, paper, oil, etc.). Mixture with fuels may explode. Container may explode in heat of fire. Vapor explosion and poison hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Reacts with oxygen to form poisonous nitrogen dioxide. Avoid storing in direct sunlight, or areas of high fire hazard.

Incompatible with aluminum, boron, carbon disulfide, hypochlorite, chromium, fluorine, fuels, hydrocarbons, nitrogen trichloride, ozone, phosphorus, uns-dimethyl hydrazine, uranium, acetic anhydride, ammonia, barium oxide, boron trichloride, methyl chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, dichloroethylene, ethylene, iron, magnesium, manganese, olefins, potassium, propylene, sodium, sulfur, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, uns-tetrachloroethaneand reducing agents. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Can cause death or permanent injury after a very short exposure to small quantities. Irritant of eyes, nose, throat; can cause unconsciousness. Nitric oxide forms acids in the respiratory system which are irritating and cause congestion in the lungs. Concentrations of 60-150 ppm cause immediate irritation of the nose and throat with coughing and burning in the throat and chest. 6-24 hours after exposure, labored breathing and unconsciousness may result. Concentrations of 100-150 ppm are dangerous for short exposure of 30-60 minutes. Concentrations of 200-700 ppm may be fatal after very short exposure. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
NITRIC OXIDE can serve as both an oxidizing agent and as a reducing agent. Sustains the combustion of powdered aluminum [Mellor 5:209-212. 1946-47]. Enflames or explodes when mixed with vapors of carbon disulfide [Mellor 8, Supp. 2:232. 1967]. Reacts vigorously with sodium monoxide above 100°C [Mellor 2, Supp. 2:629. 1961]. Reacts on contact with oxygen at room temperature to form brown gaseous nitrogen dioxide. Reacts with alkalis to form nitrates and nitrites [Merck 11th ed. 1989]. The liquid is very sensitive to detonation in the presence of water.
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.

Response Recommendations

Isolation and Evacuation
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

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

SPILL: See ERG Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances on the UN/NA 1660 datasheet.

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
Wear positive pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing. Move container from fire area if you can do so without risk. Stay away from ends of tanks. Spray cooling water on containers that are exposed to flames until well after fire is out. For massive fire in cargo area, use unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.

For small fires, use dry chemical or carbon dioxide. For large fires, use water spray, fog, or foam. (EPA, 1998)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from ERG Guide 124 [Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive - Oxidizing]:

Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. Ventilate the area. (ERG, 2024)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Nitric oxide:

Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body.

Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection.

Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift).

Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated.

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)
Chemical CAS Number State QS QC SL C3 TF TP RC TK RF
Nitric oxide 10102-43-9 Vapor >480
> indicates greater than.

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

First Aid
Warning: Can cause permanent injury after very short exposure to small quantities. Delayed pulmonary edema can occur even following minimal early symptoms. Caution is advised.

Signs and Symptoms of Nitric Oxide Exposure: Acute exposure to nitric oxide may result in changes of the pulmonary system including pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and emphysema. Mild or violent coughing, hyperpnea (rapid, deep breathing), and dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing) may occur. Fatigue, drowsiness, restlessness, anxiety, mental confusion, nausea and abdominal pain may be seen. Also weak rapid pulse, dilated heart, circulatory collapse, and loss of consciousness may be noted.

Emergency Life-Support Procedures: Acute exposure to nitric oxide may require decontamination and life support for the victims. Emergency personnel should wear protective clothing appropriate to the type and degree of contamination. Air-purifying or supplied-air respiratory equipment should also be worn, as necessary. Rescue vehicles should carry supplies such as plastic sheeting and disposable plastic bags to assist in preventing spread of contamination.

Inhalation Exposure:
1. Move victims to fresh air. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to nitric oxide.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
4. Rush to a health care facility.

Dermal/Eye Exposure:
1. Remove victims from exposure. Emergency personnel should avoid self-exposure to nitric oxide.
2. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
3. If eye exposure has occurred, eyes must be flushed with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes.
4. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
5. Rush to a health care facility.

Ingestion Exposure:

Note: Ingestion of nitric oxide gas is not expected to be a significant route of exposure.
1. Evaluate vital signs including pulse and respiratory rate, and note any trauma. If no pulse is detected, provide CPR. If not breathing, provide artificial respiration. If breathing is labored, administer 100% humidified oxygen or other respiratory support.
2. Obtain authorization and/or further instructions from the local hospital for performance of other invasive procedures.
3. Rush to a health care facility. (EPA, 1998)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • NO
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: -262.5°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Pressure: 26000 mmHg at 68°F (EPA, 1998)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): 1.04 (EPA, 1998) - Heavier than air; will sink
Specific Gravity: 1.27 at -238.36°F (EPA, 1998) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: -241.1°F at 760 mmHg (EPA, 1998)
Molecular Weight: 30.01 (EPA, 1998)
Water Solubility: 5 % (NIOSH, 2024)
Ionization Energy/Potential: 9.27 eV (NIOSH, 2024)
IDLH: 100 ppm (NIOSH, 2024)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

Final AEGLs for Nitric oxide (10102-43-9) *
Exposure Period AEGL-1 AEGL-2 AEGL-3
10 minutes NR NR NR
30 minutes NR NR NR
60 minutes NR NR NR
4 hours NR NR NR
8 hours NR NR NR
NR = Not recommended due to insufficient data
Short-term exposures to below 80 ppm NO should not constitute a health hazard
* AEGL values for nitrogen dioxide should be used for emergency planning.
(NAC/NRC, 2024)

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Nitric oxide (10102-43-9) 0.5 ppm 12 ppm 20 ppm
(DOE, 2024)

Regulatory Information

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
Nitric oxide 10102-43-9 100 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds @ P076 10000 pounds
Nitrogen oxide (NO) 10102-43-9 100 pounds 10 pounds 10 pounds @ P076 10000 pounds

(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
Nitric oxide; [Nitrogen oxide (NO)] 10102-43-9 1.00 % 10000 pounds toxic 3.83 % 15 pounds WME

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

Chemical Name CAS Number Threshold Quantity (TQ)
Nitric Oxide 10102-43-9 250 pounds

(OSHA, 2019)

Alternate Chemical Names