NITRIC OXIDE

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
0 3 0 ox	Health	3	Can cause serious or permanent injury.
	Flammability	0	Will not burn under typical fire conditions.
	Instability	0	Normally stable, even under fire conditions.
	Special	OX	Possesses oxidizing properties.

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.

• Explosive
• Strong Oxidizing Agent
• Water-Reactive
• Air-Reactive

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].

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)

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)

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.

• Oxidizing Agents, Strong

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Expanded Polymeric Absorbents

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

• AMIDOGEN, OXO-
• MONONITROGEN MONOXIDE
• NITRIC OXIDE
• NITRIC OXIDE (NO)
• NITRIC OXIDE TRIMER
• NITRIC OXIDE, COMPRESSED
• NITROGEN MONOOXIDE
• NITROGEN MONOXIDE
• NITROGEN OXIDE
• NITROGEN OXIDE (N4O4)
• NITROGEN OXIDE (NO)
• NITROGEN(II) OXIDE
• NITROSYL RADICAL