Manual

Chemical Safety Data: Nitric Acid
Common synonyms | |
Formula | Br2 (aq.) |
Physical properties | Form: amber coloured liquid smelling strongly of bromine
Stability: Stable
Melting point: close to 0 C (depends upon bromine concentration)
Boiling point: close to 100 C (depends upon bromine concentration - bromine is lost as the temperature is raised)
Specific gravity: typicallyaround 1.03, but changes slightly with bromine concentration |
Principal hazards | *** Bromine vapour is released from bromine water solutions when they are open to the air. This vapour is harmful if inhaled.
*** Bromine water is harmful if you swallow it and can cause eye damage if splashed into the eyes. Prolonged contact with the skin may lead to burns. |
Safe handling | Wear safetyglasses. Work in a well ventilated area. Do not leave bromine water in the open laboratory, unless the solution is covered to prevent vapourization of bromine. |
Emergency | Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with water. If irritation persists, call for medical help.
Skin contact: Wash off with soap and water.
If swallowed: Call for medical help. |
Disposal | Very small amounts canbe flushed down the sink unless local rules prohibit this. Spills should be neutralised with soda ash. |
Protective equipment | Safety glasses. |
Further information | Bromine water
Bromine (pure)
Chemicals in the HSci database
More extensive safety data |

Common synonyms | None |
Formula | HNO3 |
Physical properties | Form: colourless to light yellow fuming liquid athigh concentrations, colourless liquid at lower concentrations
Stability: Stable, but reacts violently with many metals. This material is a strong oxidizer, so must be kept away from organic materials.
Boiling point: depends upon concentration
Water solubility: miscible in all proportions
Specific gravity: 2.12 |
Principal hazards | Contact with the eyes can cause serious long-termdamage
Concentrated and moderately concentrated solutions are very corrosive and can cause serious skin damage
Fumes from concentrated nitric acid are very damaging if inhaled |
Safe handling | Always wear safety glasses. Do not allow even dilute nitric acid solution to come into contact with your skin. Ensure that good ventilation is available, especially if using concentrated acid. |Emergency | Eye contact: Immediately flush the eye with plenty of water. Continue for at least ten minutes and call for immediate medical help.
Skin contact: Wash off with plenty of water. Remove any contaminated clothing. If the skin reddens or appears damaged, call for medical aid.
If swallowed: Drink plenty of water and call for immediate medical help |
Disposal | Small amounts of dilutenitric acid can be flushed down a sink with a large quantity of water, unless local rules prohibit this. Larger amounts should be neutralised before disposal. |
Protective equipment | ALWAYS wear safety glasses when handling nitric acid or its solutions. If you need to use gloves, butyl rubber, neoprene, or polyethylene are suitable for handling solutions at concentrations of up to 70% |Further information | Nitric acid
Chemicals in the HSci database
More extensive safety data |

Chemical Safety Data: Bromine water

Chemical Safety Data: Phenol

Common synonyms | Hydroxybenzene, benzenol, phenyl alcohol |
Formula | C6H5OH |
Physical properties | Form: colourless crystals
Stability: Stable, flammable
Melting point: 40 - 42 C
Boiling point: 185 C
Specificgravity: 1.07 |
Principal hazards | ** Warning: Phenol presents several hazards and must be handled with great care.
*** Phenol is toxic if you inhale or swallow it. It also passes readily through skin, so will be harmful if you touch it.
*** Phenol belongs to the class of "systemic poisons", which means that it can damage parts of the body far away from where it entered the body. This...