Ingredient Dictionary

NITRIC ACID

Nitric acid is a nitrogen oxoacid of formula HNO3 in which the nitrogen atom is bonded to a hydroxy group and by equivalent bonds to the remaining two oxygen atoms.

Definition

Nitric acid is a nitrogen oxoacid of formula HNO3 in which the nitrogen atom is bonded to a hydroxy group and by equivalent bonds to the remaining two oxygen atoms. It has a role as a reagent and a protic solvent. It is a conjugate acid of a nitrate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 411VRN1TV4 · registered name Nitric acid · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Nitric Acid is the inorganic acid that conforms to the formula:

Cosmetic roles

Base that dissolves other ingredientsSOLVENT

Safety & regulatory references

Korea’s toxic-substance GHS classification: Danger · H314 (category 1) · H330 (category 1) · H271 (category 1) · +1 more

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

NITRIC ACIDINCI나이트릭애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)

CAS No.chemical registry number: 7697-37-2
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID5029685
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID509685

IUPAC: Nitric acid
Molecular formula: HNO3
Molecular weight: 63.012 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Nitric acid, other than red fuming appears as a pale yellow to reddish brown liquid with reddish brown vapors and a suffocating odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals or tissue. Accelerates the burning of combustible material and may cause ignition of combustible materials upon contact. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result i · Nitric acid, red fuming appears as a pale yellow to reddish brown liquid generating red-brown fumes and having a suffocating odor. Very toxic by inhalation. Corrosive to metals or tissue. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations or short term exposure to high concentrations may result in adverse health effects. Rate of onset: Immediate Persistence: Hours - days Odor threshold: ~1 ppm Source/u
Odour: Characteristic choking odor · Acrid, Sweet to acrid
Boiling point: 181 °F at 760 mmHg (NIOSH, 2024) · 83 °C
Melting point: -44 °F (NIOSH, 2024) · -41.6 °C
Solubility: Miscible (NIOSH, 2024) · Very soluble in water
Density: 1.5 at 77 °F (NIOSH, 2024) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.5129 g/cu cm at 20 °C
Melting/freezing point: -41.6 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 121 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.89 ㎜Hg(20℃)
Water solubility: 500000 ㎎/ℓ(20 ℃)
Vapour density: 2.2
Relative density: 1.5128
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -0.21
Viscosity: 0.746 cP(25℃)
Molecular weight: 63.0119

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 46 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Processing aids not otherwise specified7
pH regulating agent4
Intermediate4
Soil amendments4
Degradant/impurity (EPA)2
Pigment2
Catalyst2
Cleaning agent2

16 other uses

Ion exchange agent2
Oxidizing agent2
Dehydrating agent (desiccant)2
Reducing agent1
Dye1
Propellants, non-motive (blowing agents)1
Surface modifier1
Energy releasers (explosives, motive propellant)1
Plating agent1
Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent1
Solvent1
Solids separation (precipitating) agent, not other1
Corrosion inhibitor1
No specific technical function1
Preservative1
Etching agent1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

8 skin studies and 3 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 11 studies

Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Skin Irritation · Screening
Skin Corr. 1A
Skin Irritation · Screening
Skin Corr. 1A
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Category 8.2A (Category 1A)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Category 8.2B (Category 1B)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Eye Dam. 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 1
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across