Perhaps the most common use of nitric acid in the production of nitrogen fertilizers. U.S. Departure year to total approximately 11 million tonnes from around 65 factories in the country. Meanwhile in the UK more than one million tonnes is produced annually.Nitric acid is a colorless liquid that may be yellowish or reddish in storage time due to the construction of nitrogen oxides. It is a highly corrosive liquid, a strong oxidant, a poison and is capable of dissolving more metals.Aside that an important component in the production of fertilizers, nitric acid is also a key chemical component in the manufacture of explosives, dyes, plastics, metallurgy and as a detergent in food, dairy and processing industries.Nitric acid as a very important chemical in many industries, although considered to be hazardous than most chemicals in 6 of 9 in the classification systems have is found in large quantities and many of those working in occupations with nitric acid and its applications in the enterprise risk. It is therefore important that information on safety, proper handling and training of security procedures gives workers.Inhalation of nitric acid fumes can cause respiratory problems, and in fatal cases can lead to pulmonary edema and pneumonia. Nose, throat and airways, coughing and choking can be seen when someone accidentally inhaled nitric acid vapors. Ingestion can be very dangerous, due to property corrosive nitric acid. Will result in immediate pain and burns of the mouth, throat, esophagus and the rest of the gastro-intestinal tract.Nitric acid is an irritant and contact with the eyes causes severe burns and may even cause permanent eye damage. Direct contact with skin, on the other hand, causes pain, redness and severe burns. Concentrated nitric acid solutions turn yellow skin caused by a reaction with keratin blisters.Constant ugly as prolonged exposure to vapors may cause erosion of teeth and lung damage. It is a rare case of prolonged exposure to nitric acid corrosion is caused by high reactivity and strength of the chemical. Patients with pre-existing health of the skin, eyes and cardiovascular system are sensitive to the effects of acid and its conditions.Apart aggravate these health effects, treatment of the chemical properties of nitric acid is also special and safe for reactions to occur with other chemicals that can lead to increased flammability of combustible materials, fires and explosions. Leaks and spills can also cause corrosion and other potential effects accidents.Knowledge of nitric acid and safety awareness and proper management must be an integral part of standard operating procedure and a good production should always use protection practices.Workers clothing, including safety glasses and gloves. Gloves, polyethylene, neoprene and butyl rubber are suitable for treatment in 70% concentration of nitric acid solutions. The work area should also have good ventilation when using more concentrated acid. The area of the facility and quickly should be soaked in the vicinity of the work area.It is the responsibility of the company to its employees with appropriate protective equipment and expertise nitric acid treatment. However, it is the duty of the worker to always follow safety procedures and exercise extreme measures to deal with hazardous chemicals such as nitric acid.
