Key Points

Fire

• Explosive
• Vigorous reactions occur with oxidising and reducing materials
• Combustion of picric acid produces toxic oxides of carbon and nitrogen when heated to decomposition. Shock-sensitive compounds are formed with metals, particularly copper, lead, mercury and zinc
• In the event of a fire involving picric acid, use coarse water spray and liquid tight chemical protective clothing with breathing apparatus

Health

• Exposure by any route may be dangerous
• CHIP: Explosive and toxic
• Inhalation may cause cough, sore throat and respiratory irritation
• Ingestion may cause mucosal ulceration and severe gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain
• Dermal exposure may cause irritation and yellow staining.
• Ocular exposure may cause pain, blepharospasm, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, palpebral oedema and photophobia
• Systemic effects include dizziness, headache, weakness, bradycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, pyrexia, hyperthermia, coma convulsions, pulmonary oedema and death.

Environment

• Avoid release into the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

 

All sections are available to download in PDF format.

• Incident Management (PDF, 106 KB)
  Picric Acid - Incident Management
  Added/updated: 24 May 2011