Print
Chemical Datasheet

NITROGLYCERIN, SOLUTION IN ALCOHOL, WITH NOT MORE THAN 1% NITROGLYCERIN

3 - Flammable liquid

Chemical Identifiers

CAS Number UN/NA Number DOT Hazard Label USCG CHRIS Code
  • 55-63-0
  • 1204
  • Flammable Liquid
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 flammable, colorless solution of nitroglycerin in alcohol. If allowed to dry out, the remaining nitroglycerin is explosive.

Hazards

Reactivity Alerts
Air & Water Reactions
Highly flammable.
Fire Hazard
Excerpt from 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. CAUTION: Ethanol (UN1170) can burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.) Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks, etc.). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids will float on water. (ERG, 2020)
Health Hazard
Excerpt from 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. (ERG, 2020)
Reactivity Profile
Nitroalkanes, such as NITROGLYCERIN, range from slight to strong oxidizing agents. If mixed with reducing agents, including hydrides, sulfides and nitrides, they may begin a vigorous reaction that culminates in a detonation. Nitroalkanes are milder oxidizing agents, but still react violently with reducing agents at higher temperature and pressures. Nitroalkanes react with inorganic bases to form explosive salts. The presence of metal oxides increases the thermal sensitivity of nitroalkanes. Nitroalkanes with more than one nitro group are generally explosive. Nitroalkanes are insoluble in water. Flammable/combustible material. May be ignited by heat, sparks or flames.

Nitroglycerin is incompatible with the following: Heat, ozone, shock, acids. Note: An OSHA Class A Explosive (1910.109). (NIOSH, 2022).
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 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail car or tank truck 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, 2020)
Firefighting
Excerpt from 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient. CAUTION: For fire involving UN1170, UN1987 or UN3475, alcohol-resistant foam should be used. CAUTION: Ethanol (UN1170) can burn with an invisible flame. Use an alternate method of detection (thermal camera, broom handle, etc.).

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam.

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS OR CAR/TRAILER LOADS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2020)
Non-Fire Response
Excerpt from 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

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. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2020)
Protective Clothing
Excerpt from ERG Guide 127 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection. (ERG, 2020)
DuPont Tychem® Suit Fabrics
No information available.
First Aid
Excerpt from 127 Polymerizable warning [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible)]:

Call 911 or emergency medical service. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Move victim to fresh air if it can be done safely. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Wash skin with soap and water. In case of burns, immediately cool affected skin for as long as possible with cold water. Do not remove clothing if adhering to skin. Keep victim calm and warm. (ERG, 2020)

Physical Properties

Chemical Formula:
  • C3H5N3O9 (solution in ethanol)
Flash Point: data unavailable
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL): data unavailable
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL): data unavailable
Autoignition Temperature: data unavailable
Melting Point: data unavailable
Vapor Pressure: data unavailable
Vapor Density (Relative to Air): data unavailable
Specific Gravity: data unavailable
Boiling Point: data unavailable
Molecular Weight: data unavailable
Water Solubility: data unavailable
Ionization Energy/Potential: data unavailable
IDLH: 75 mg/m3 [From NPG: Nitroglycerine] (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