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potassium nitrate

Also known as: POTASSIUM NITRATE · 7757-79-1 · Saltpeter · Nitre

CAS No.: 7757-79-1
Formula: KNO3
Molar mass: 101.103 g/mol
PubChem CID: 24434

GHS pictograms

Oxidizing

Harmful / Irritant

Health hazard

2D structure of potassium nitrate — 2D structure · PubChem CID 24434

Summary

potassium nitrate (KNO3), CAS 7757-79-1. Common in labs and industry. Read on for hazards, storage, PPE and mixing rules.

Background

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Hazards

Oxidizing (GHS03)

May cause or intensify fire.

Harmful / Irritant (GHS07)

May cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation.

Health hazard (GHS08)

Serious long-term health effects (CMR, respiratory sensitizer).

Hazard statements

H272: May intensify fire
H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure
H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]
H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
H303: May be harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]
H371: May cause damage to organs [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]

Storage

Temperature

Keep at room temperature, below 30 °C, out of direct heat.

Ventilation

Store somewhere well-ventilated and away from any ignition source.

Containers

Metal drums or tinted glass, tightly sealed.

Keep away from

Strong acids, strong bases and powerful oxidizers.

Personal protective equipment

Gloves

Nitrile or butyl, at least 0.4 mm thick.

Eye protection

Safety goggles with side shields.

Respirator

A2 organic-vapor cartridge if the room isn't well ventilated.

Occupational exposure limits (HSE)

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EU harmonised classification (ECHA C&L)

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Transport

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FDA recalls & enforcement

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Compatibilities

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Practical safety notes

Oxidizing. Keep away from combustibles, organics, reducers and fuels.
Irritant / harmful. Ventilate the workspace and avoid skin contact.
Serious health hazard (carcinogen, mutagen, reprotoxic, respiratory sensitizer). Substitute if possible; otherwise closed systems and medical surveillance.

Derived from the GHS classification shown above. These notes are generic guidance and do not replace the manufacturer's SDS or your local risk assessment.

FAQ

Is potassium nitrate flammable?+

potassium nitrate (CAS 7757-79-1) does not carry the GHS02 flame pictogram in our records. Always confirm with the manufacturer's SDS section 9 (flash point) before assuming a product is non-flammable.

What PPE should I wear when handling potassium nitrate?+

Safety glasses with side shields and nitrile gloves are the baseline. Work inside a fume hood or use a suitable respirator. Check SDS section 8 for material-specific breakthrough times.

How should potassium nitrate be stored?+

Store potassium nitrate (CAS 7757-79-1) in tightly closed original containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials.

Is potassium nitrate dangerous for the environment?+

No specific environmental pictogram (GHS09) is listed in our records for potassium nitrate, but any chemical waste should be handled through your site's hazardous-waste procedure, not poured down the drain.

Where can I find the official Safety Data Sheet for potassium nitrate?+

Official, up-to-date SDS documents are published by each manufacturer (Sigma-Aldrich, Merck, Thermo Fisher, VWR, Carl Roth, etc.) and by regulators such as ECHA and NIOSH. This page is an educational summary and does not replace the manufacturer's SDS.

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