Potassium nitrate

Agent Name
Potassium nitrate
CAS Number
7757-79-1
Formula
K-N-O3
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Potassium nitrate formula graphical representation
Synonyms
Collo-Bo; Kalii nitras; Kaliumnitrat [German]; Niter; Nitrate of potash; Nitre; Nitric acid, potassium salt; Saltpeter; Vicknite; [ChemIDplus] Saltpetre; Nitre; [JECFA] Potassium salt nitric acid; [OECD SIDS] UN1486
Category
Nitrates and Nitrites
Description
Colorless or white solid; "Cooling, saline pungent taste" [Merck Index] Slightly hygroscopic; [HSDB] White crystalline solid; [Aldrich MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Used to manufacture glass, temper steel, and cure food; Used in fireworks, fluxes, matches, explosives, rocket propellants, fertilizers, and baths for silver and copper plating; [HSDB] Used to support combustion in gas cartridges used as pyrotechnic fumigants in the burrows of rodents, skunks, coyotes, and ground-nesting wasps; [Reference #1]
Comments
A strong oxidizing agent that enhances the combustion of other materials; A skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritant; Causes methemoglobinemia when ingested; [ICSC] May cause anemia, methemoglobinemia, and nephritis on prolonged exposure; [Merck Index] Acceptable daily intake of 0-3.7 mg/kg for uses in food as an antimicrobial preservative and color fixative; [JECFA] An oxidizer that can intensify fire; May cause irritation; Targets the blood and CNS; [Aldrich MSDS] See "NITRATES and NITRITES."
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References

Adverse Effects

Methemoglobinemia
MetHgb is secondary toxic effect

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: