Picric acid

RTECS #
TJ7875000
CAS #
88-89-1
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Updated
September 2013
Molecular Weight
229.12
Molecular Formula
C6H3N3O7
Synonyms
1,3,5-Trinitrophenol
2,4,6-Trinitrofenol (Dutch)
2,4,6-Trinitrofenolo (Italian)
2,4,6-Trinitrophenol
2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl (OSHA)
2-Hydroxy-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene
Acide picrique (French)
Acido picrico (Italian)
C.I. 10305
Carbazotic acid
Kyselina pikrova (Czech)
Melinite
Nitroxanthic acid
Phenol trinitrate
Phenol, 2,4,6-trinitro-
Picric acid (ACGIH:OSHA)
Picronitric acid
Pikrinezuur (Dutch)
Pikrinsaeure (German)
Pikrynowy kwas (Polish)

Mutation Data and Reference

System TestRoute/Organism/TissueDoseReference
mutation in microorganisms/Salmonella typhimurium5 µmol/plate (+/-enzymatic activation step)MUREAV 90,91,1981
mutation in microorganisms/Escherichia coli1800 ppm (-enzymatic activation step)MUREAV 47,75,1978
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctionoral/Drosophila melanogaster1250 µmol/LMUREAV 90,91,1981
sex chromosome loss and nondisjunctionparenteral/Drosophila melanogaster1500 ppmENMUDM 7,677,1985

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/OrganismDoseEffectReference
intraperitoneal/mouse lethal dose (50 percent kill): 56300 µg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure thresholdNYKZAU 56,450,1960
oral/cat lowest published lethal dose: 250 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935
oral/cat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 500 mg/kgENTOX* -,438,2005
oral/guinea pig lethal dose (50 percent kill): 100 mg/kgENTOX* -,438,2005
oral/guinea pig lowest published lethal dose: 100 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935
oral/rabbit lowest published lethal dose: 120 mg/kgBehavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold

Gastrointestinal: Hypermotility, diarrhea

Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature increase
XPHBAO 271,151,1941
oral/rabbit lethal dose (50 percent kill): 120 mg/kgENTOX* -,438,2005
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 200 mg/kgEye: Chromodacryorrhea

Behavioral: Tremor

Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold
JTEHD6 37,313,1992
oral/rat lethal dose (50 percent kill): 200 mg/kgENTOX* -,438,2005
subcutaneous/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 60 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935
subcutaneous/pigeon lowest published lethal dose: 200 mg/kgHBAMAK 4,1289,1935
unreported route/Dog lowest published lethal dose: 60 mg/kgCardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression

Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes
XPHBAO 271,151,1941

Reviews

OrganizationStandardReference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 47,75,1978
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWENTOX* -,438,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEWMUREAV 741,32,2012

Standards and Regulations

OrganizationStandardReference
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-airtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (skin)DTLVS* 3,212,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIAMAK-TMW 0.1 mg/m3;KZW 0.2 mg/m3, inhal, skin, 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARKtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, skin, MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCEVME 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, skin, sen, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREAtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, short term exposure limit 0.3 mg/m3, skin, 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICOtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 0.3 mg/m3, 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALANDtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERUtime-weighted average 0,1 mg/m3, JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLANDMAC(time-weighted average) 0.1 mg/m3, MAC(short term exposure limit) 0.3 mg/m3, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLANDceiling concentration 0.1 mg/m3, inhal, skin, sen, JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDSMAC-TGG 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINEStime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEYtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3, Skin, JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOMtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3;short term exposure limit 0.3 mg/m3, OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (skin)CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)8H time-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

OrganizationStandardReference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO PICRIC ACID-airtime-weighted average 0.1 mg/m3 (Sk);short term exposure limit 0.3 mg/m3 (Sk)NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983Hazard Code 59450; Number of Industries 20; Total Number of Facilities 2224; Number of Occupations 26; Total Number of Employees Exposed 37003; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 21627
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974Hazard Code 59450; Number of Industries 17; Total Number of Facilities 2097; Number of Occupations 14; Total Number of Employees Exposed 21627

Status in Federal Agencies

OrganizationReference
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: D melanogaster Sex-linked lethal
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018