Hazardous substance ecological fact sheet and Ecotoxicity Profile Picric Acid

Abstract

Picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol; picronitric acid; carbazotic acid; C.I. 10305; nitroxanthic acid) is a pale yellow solid which is highly soluble in water. The chemical explodes when rapidly heated or by percussion. Picric acid is used in the manufacture of explosives, colored glass and matches; in the leather industry; in electric batteries; in etching copper; as a textile mordant and as a reagent. Picric acid most likely enters the aquatic environment in effluents from industries where it is manufactured or used, and spills.