Lead(II) nitrate (CAS 10099-74-8): storage and disposal
Lead(II) nitrate is an oxidising lead salt found in school, college and university prep rooms as a solid and as 0.5 M solution for precipitation work. It is classified as harmful if swallowed or inhaled, as able to damage fertility and the unborn child, and as very toxic to aquatic life. Those reproductive and organ-damage statements make it one of the stocks to account for most carefully.
- CAS number
- 10099-74-8
- Form
- Solid
- Storage class
- Toxic
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Harmful or irritant
Serious health hazard
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as toxic stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Two neighbours matter. It is an oxidiser as well as a lead salt, so it must be kept from organic materials, solvents and acids, and its separation from other chemicals should follow the compatibility requirements for oxidising lead salts. A locked cupboard with a stock record suits it better than an open prep shelf. Keep the solid and the 0.5 M bottles together in the same cupboard but in separate trays, so a leaking solution bottle does not run into powder. Store the solution bottles low. Because a school may only open the stock once a year, the date received on the label and the quantity remaining in the register are the controls that count.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Look at the white crystals first. Lead nitrate is a clean white solid, so grey or yellow-brown tinges, damp clumps or crusting round the neck suggest water has got in or that dust and paper have fallen into it. A 0.5 M bottle that has gone cloudy or left a white deposit at the bottom has taken something from the air or from a dirty pipette, and a label that has lost its concentration is a problem of its own. Check caps for corrosion, shelving for staining and trays for liquid. Contamination with paper or organic dust is a particular concern with an oxidising salt, so any bottle with visible debris in it needs reporting.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a toxic laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Everything here is a hazardous waste because of the lead and the aquatic hazard, and it should never go down a sink or out with ordinary rubbish. The solid and the 0.5 M solution are described separately, with volumes and bottle sizes on the record, and then packed in compatible groups apart from acids and organic waste. Laboratory pack waste uses 16 05 06*, while discarded inorganic stock outside a lab pack uses 16 05 07*. UN 1469 is the transport entry. Nobody should try to precipitate, filter or concentrate the solution first. Leave sound, labelled containers in their tray and request a specialist collection.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- OxidiserToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- AcidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Calcium hypochloriteToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Hydrochloric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Hydrogen peroxideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Nitric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Potassium nitrateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Potassium permanganateToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
- Sulfuric acidToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: solid, 0.5 M.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H302 Harmful if swallowed.
- H317 May cause an allergic skin reaction.
- H318 Causes serious eye damage.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility.
- H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
- H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
- P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P220 Keep away from clothing and other combustible materials.
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P272 Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
- P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P330 Rinse mouth.
- P333+P317 If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
- P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
- P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
What should happen to leftover 0.5 M lead nitrate after a practical?
It must never be poured away. It is classified as very toxic to aquatic life and as able to damage fertility and the unborn child. Collect it in a labelled container and include the volume in the collection request.
Why must it be stored away from acids?
The main incompatibility of lead(II) nitrate is with combustible materials and reducing agents because it is an oxidising salt. Acid segregation should follow the supplier safety data sheet for the particular stock. Acids are not the principal reason for its oxidiser storage requirements.
What does a cloudy 0.5 M bottle mean?
Something has got into it, such as dirt, a pipette or dissolved air. The reason matters less than the fact that the label may no longer describe the contents, so record it as it is and arrange collection.
How long can the solid stay on the shelf?
There is no set date. A dry, white, free-flowing solid in a sound labelled bottle is fine, but any damp, discolour or unreadable label means it should be sent for collection.
