ltf Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 I'm sorry if there's any topic like this all ready but it is realy urgent,I was dissolving wood in HNO3 in order to make potassiom picrate. suddenly a red gas apeared whom I think is NO2, I was without a gas mask that time and afraid that I'm hurt, I don't have a single symptum specified in the msds sheet about NO2 but I'm worried like hell, does someone knows what to do?I cant go to the doctor cause pyro is not legal here. tnx I guess a day or two from now this topic will not be usefull but I'm really worrid so forgive me..
Aikimike999 Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Hi, How much is it possible that you've been exposed to? If you do develop any of the symptoms then, illegal or not, go to the doctors! Your health is more important than anything else! Hope everything turns out OK. Regards, Mike
Mumbles Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 About the only "cure" for NOx exposure is fresh air. If you have to do something, stand outside for a half an hour or so and breath. If you have any trouble breathing, tightness of the chest, or anything like that, go to the doctor. Say something spilled onto some wood if you really must. The symptoms of NOx exposure come fairly fast. If you don't have anything yet, you'll be fine. Might have a sore throat or something for a day or two, but nothing serious.
DeAdFX Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 While making some Nitrous acid (HNO2) I had a huge cloud of NO2 form. I inhaled some of cloud but I was ok. As long as you don't bnreathe NO2 every day you should be ok. This was since christmas break (2-3weeks). I haven't shown any sort of symptoms since that incident. I assume you will be ok too.
ltf Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 Thanks a alot everybody, my throut is a little sore but nothing serious. Next time I'm dealing with HNO3 I'm wearing a mask for sure, I guess it's still a risk for me to decide what will be dangerous and what will not. Well, last question, the acid/wood mix is still red, and I think is still producing NO2, when will it stop to produce NO2 so I can neutrilize and dump it. Are there any signs?I started the reaction about 5 hours ago. It is now dark red and there's a big chunk of wood in the acid. thanks again I hope next time will work better.
weknowpyro Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Well if there is no red fumes coming off it then, its only probably producing a small amount of vapour and the red colour on the wood is probably condensed NO2. I would suggest cooling the mix down in an ice bath so that the reaction is slowed down and then it should be easier for you to neutralize the solution.
DeAdFX Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 The red color could also be nitrated wood junk. But as weknow said cool the mix before neutralization to beon the safe side.
ltf Posted January 24, 2007 Author Posted January 24, 2007 The mix was neutralized with NaOH and washed to the toilet. White-yellow christels apeared, they are not soluble in water. Can somone tell me what is it? I can't get it out of my beaker and I'm afraid it's sodium picrate.
asilentbob Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 I was under the impression that this route is hardly ever mentioned because the yield is like <1% with tons of byproducts... BUT by all means, experiment. Probably byproducts from the wood and sodium nitrate.(IE. random very slightly nitrated oils, starchs, etc.)
Chemguy Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 you should be ok, I have inhaled N02 before, and quite like the smell in low concentrations, I am wary of it though, nasty stuff when strong . You seem to have done all the right things
ltf Posted January 25, 2007 Author Posted January 25, 2007 Well, I'm all right. This stuff had dissolved after a night in water and is now in the sewage...Thanks a lot everybody.
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