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Chemical Datasheet

NITROGLYCERIN, DESENSITIZED, [LIQUID]

1.1 - Explosives which have a mass explosion hazard; D - Substances or articles which may mass detonate (with blast and/or fragment hazard) when exposed to fire. 6.1 - Poison

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 55-63-0
  • 0143
  • Explosive 1.1D
  • Poison
none
NIOSH Pocket Guide International Chem Safety Card
Nitroglycerine
  • NITROGLYCERIN
NFPA 704
Diamond Hazard Value Description
3
2 4
Blue Health 2 Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
Red Flammability 3 Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Yellow Instability 4 Readily capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or explosive reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.
White Special
Note: NFPA ratings shown are for nitroglycerin, CAS number 55-63-0.
(NFPA, 2010)
General Description
A pale yellow, viscous liquid that is slightly soluble in water and more dense than water. Sensitive to shock and heat. May explode under prolonged exposure to fire or heat. Primary hazard is the blast of an instantaneous explosion and not flying fragment or projectiles. Used medicinally.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable. Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 112 Polymerizable warning [Explosives* - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

MAY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS 1600 METERS (1 MILE) OR MORE IF FIRE REACHES CARGO. For information on "Compatibility Group" letters, refer to Glossary section. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Nitroglycerine:

Exposure Routes: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Symptoms: Throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; hypotension; flush; palpitations; methemoglobinemia; delirium, central nervous system depression; angina; skin irritation

Target Organs: Cardiovascular system, blood, skin, central nervous system (NIOSH, 2023)
Reactivity Profile
Nitroglycerin is incompatible with heat, ozone, shock, and acids, and is an OSHA Class A Explosive (1910.109) (NIOSH, 2022).

NITROGLYCERIN, DESENSITIZED, [LIQUID] is less subject to explosion when heated or shocked than ordinary nitroglycerin because of the addition of desensitizing materials, but is still dangerous. May begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation if mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides. Reacts with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. Sensitized toward decomposition by the presence of metal oxides.
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 112 Polymerizable warning [Explosives* - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions.

FIRE: If rail car or trailer is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 112 Polymerizable warning [Explosives* - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

CARGO FIRE: DO NOT fight fire when fire reaches cargo! Cargo may EXPLODE! Stop all traffic and clear the area for at least 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions and let burn. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat.

TIRE OR VEHICLE FIRE: Use plenty of water - FLOOD it! If water is not available, use CO2, dry chemical or dirt. If possible, and WITHOUT RISK, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles from maximum distance to prevent fire from spreading to cargo area. Pay special attention to tire fires as re-ignition may occur. Stand by, at a safe distance, with extinguisher ready for possible re-ignition. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 112 Polymerizable warning [Explosives* - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. DO NOT OPERATE RADIO TRANSMITTERS WITHIN 100 METERS (330 FEET) OF ELECTRIC DETONATORS. DO NOT CLEAN-UP OR DISPOSE OF, EXCEPT UNDER SUPERVISION OF A SPECIALIST. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Nitroglycerine:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: DAILY - Workers whose clothing may have become contaminated should change into uncontaminated clothing before leaving the work premises.

Provide: QUICK DRENCH - Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] (NIOSH, 2023)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Nitroglycerine:

Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin: SOAP WASH IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the skin, immediately wash the contaminated skin with soap and water. If this chemical penetrates the clothing, immediately remove the clothing, wash the skin with soap and water, and get medical attention promptly.

Breathing: RESPIRATORY SUPPORT - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep the affected person warm and at rest. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2023)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H5N3O9
Flash Point: Explodes (NIOSH, 2023)
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: 56°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Pressure: 0.0003 mmHg (NIOSH, 2023)
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: 1.6 (NIOSH, 2023) - Denser than water; will sink
Boiling Point: Begins to decompose at 122-140°F (NIOSH, 2023)
Molecular Weight: 227.1 (NIOSH, 2023)
Water Solubility: 0.1 % (NIOSH, 2023)
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 75 mg/m3 (NIOSH, 2023)

AEGLs (Acute Exposure Guideline Levels)

No AEGL information available.

ERPGs (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)

No ERPG information available.

PACs (Protective Action Criteria)

Chemical PAC-1 PAC-2 PAC-3
Nitroglycerin (55-63-0) 0.1 mg/m3 2 mg/m3 75 mg/m3
(DOE, 2018)

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
Nitroglycerin 55-63-0 10 pounds 313 P081

(EPA List of Lists, 2022)

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
Nitroglycerine 55-63-0 ACG 5000 pounds explosive ACG 400 pounds EXP/IEDP

(CISA, 2007)

OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard List

No regulatory information available.

Alternate Chemical Names