Chemical SOP - Nitric Acid

Location(s):
CHESS Chemical Lab (Wilson 170)

Specified Hazards:
Harmful, corrosive, causes severe burns to the skin and other tissues.

1. Purchasing:  CHESS Laboratory personnel (Staff Scientists, Operators, and Technicians) have approval to purchase nitric acid.  The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for nitric acid is available in the folder outside the CHESS chemical room door (Wilson 170).  All staff members and operators must receive training from a senior CHESS staff member and familiarize themselves with the MSDS information before working nitric acid.  Quantities of this material will be limited to the smallest amount necessary to complete the experiment.

2. Storage:  Materials will be stored according to compatibility and label recommendations in a designated area:  CHESS Acid Cabinet or in the CHESS Chemical Lab Hood (if being used).  Storage areas will be regularly inspected by the CHESS chemical safety officer to ensure safety.

3. Authorized Personnel:  Use will be limited to the following personnel (when properly trained):
   CHESS Senior Staff Scientists
   Technical Staff
   Post doctoral employees
   CHESS Users (if they can demonstrate previous safety training)

4. Training Requirements:  CHESS staff training should include the following:
   Review of current MSDS
   Special training provided by the department
   Review of the departmental safety procedures
   Review of the Cornell Chemical Hygiene Plan
   Taking Chemical Safety for Laboratory Workers by Cornell (EH&S)
   Taking Chemical Waste (Hazardous Waste/RCRA) Training from Cornell (EH&S)

5. Use Location:  Materials shall be used only in the following designated areas in Wilson 170 (the CHESS Chemical Room) in the fume hood.  All other uses must be cleared by the CHESS Safety Committee.

6. Personal Protective Equipment:  All personnel are required to wear the following personal protective equipment whenever handling this material:  Face shield, Neoprene Gloves or Nitrile gloves, Lab Coat, Rubber Apron, and Closed Shoes (absolutely no sandals, open toed or open healed shoes).

7. Waste Disposal:  The authorized person using this material is responsible for the safe collection, preparation and proper disposal of waste unless otherwise stated below.  Waste shall be disposed of as soon as possible and in accordance with all laboratory and University procedures.
   Specific instructions:  Neutralize waste acid with sodium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate solutions until a pH of 5.5 or higher is achieved.  Drain dispose with large volume of water.

8. Decontamination:  Specific instructions:  Use a rag or paper towel with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution to decontaminate equipment or surfaces.

9. Exposures:  Emergency procedures to be followed (from MSDS):

   Skin Contact
   Symptoms:  Strong irritation, redness, burns.
   First aid:  Flood areas in contact with acid with large amounts of water using a safety shower or eyewash for 15-20 minutes.  Get immediate medical attention.

   Eye Contact
   Symptoms:  Strong irritation, redness, burns.
   First aid:  Flood areas in contact with acid with large amounts of water using a safety shower or eyewash for 15-20 minutes.  Get immediate medical attention.

   Inhalation
   Symptoms:  Severe irritation and burns of the respiratory tract.
   First aid:  Get immediate medical attention.  Remove exposed person to fresh air.  Use a bag valve mask or similar device to perform artificial respiration if needed.

   Ingestion
   Symptoms:  Burns of mucus membranes, vomiting, diarrhea
   First aid:  Get immediate medical attention.  Do NOT induce vomiting.  If vomiting occurs, keep head lower than hips to prevent aspiration.  Give large amounts of water or milk.
   (Note:  Never make an unconscious person vomit or drink fluids.)  If person is unconscious, turn head to side.

10. Spills:  The acid spill cleanup is available in the CHESS chemical room in the cabinet to the right of the door, marked, "SPILL KITS IN THIS CABINET".  Gloves, face shield, lab coat, and neoprene apron should be used when cleaning up spills.
    Wearing the personal protective equipment described above, sprinkle solid sodium carbonate or bicarbonate over the spill.  Scoop up the spill mixture and place it in a sturdy plastic container such as a rubber bucket.  In a fume hood slowly fill up the bucket with water.  Add additional sodium bicarbonate with stirring until a pH of 5.5 or higher is obtained.  Rinse the neutralized acid down the drain with large volumes of water.

11. Phone Numbers
    Cornell Campus Police - 911 (accidents, spills)
    Environmental Health and Safety - 5-8200
    Gannett Health Center - 5-5155

12. Other:  Incompatibilities:  A dangerously powerful oxidizing agent, fuming nitric acid is incompatible with most substances, especially strong bases, metallic powders, carbides, hydrogen sulfide, turpentine, and combustible organics.  Review the MSDS and other references concerning incompatible reactions.

Prepared by:  David J. Jones
Date:  9 July, 2001

Last Update: 2006-09-21