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Chemical collection and stock control for UK schools, universities and hospitals

Lithium nitrate (CAS 7790-69-4): storage and disposal

Lithium nitrate is a white solid kept in school, college and university stores, classified as an oxidiser that may intensify fire, harmful if swallowed and a cause of serious eye irritation. It carries UN number 2722. Two things make it different from the lithium chloride beside it in a flame test set: it is an oxidiser, and it draws water from the air so readily that old jars are often wet.

CAS number
7790-69-4
Form
Solid
Storage class
Oxidiser
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Oxidising pictogramOxidising
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant

What to do this week

  1. Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as oxidiser stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
  3. 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

An oxidiser jar has no business inside a mixed flame test box. Give it a separate, labelled oxidiser space on non-combustible shelving, away from flammable stock, acids, alkalis, corrosives and the cabinet of harmful stock. The salt pulls water from the air, so a loose lid shows quickly. Keep the cap tight, date the jar on arrival and clear paper, card or wooden liners from underneath, since wet oxidiser soaking into combustible material is the situation to avoid. Teachers who take the box to the bench should leave the nitrate behind in the store and issue only what the lesson needs.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Start with what looks wrong: crystals that have clumped, a jar with liquid in the base or a cap that has fused to the neck. This salt is quick to take up water, so a wet jar is common in older stores, and the liquid can creep out and stain the shelf or any card beneath it. Because the stock is an oxidiser, damp staining on paper, card or wood near the jar deserves attention. Corroded caps, a label attacked by seepage and an unknown date of receipt are also typical. Altered stock is still lithium nitrate and should be set apart with its condition recorded.

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 oxidising laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

A wet jar changes how it is packed, so the first thing to tell the collection team is the condition: dry, caked or liquid. Keep it upright with the cap tight and do not decant it into a fresh container. Oxidiser grouping keeps it apart from flammable stock, acids, alkalis and organic material inside the lab pack. It is hazardous waste, and 16 05 06* is the entry in a lab pack, with 16 05 07* where it is a discarded inorganic chemical outside one. It must not go into a sink, a drain, general waste or a skip, and no one should try to dry it out or treat it first.

Waste codes and transport details for Lithium nitrate
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 07*
Hazardous wasteYes

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

  • FlammableOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • AcidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • AlkaliSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
  • ToxicToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
  • CorrosiveCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • Acetic acidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • AcetoneOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Ammonia solutionSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
  • EthanolOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • FormalinToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
  • HexaneOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Hydrochloric acidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • Mercury(II) chlorideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
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  • MethanolOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Nitric acidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • Potassium hydroxideSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
  • Sodium cyanideToxic and oxidising stock are stored apart. A reaction could release toxic vapours.
  • Sodium hydroxideSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
  • Sulfuric acidMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
  • Thionyl chlorideCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.
  • TolueneOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Zinc chlorideCorrosive stock can react with oxidisers, releasing heat or fumes.

Common quantities we collect

Usually held as: solid.

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

  • H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser.
  • H302 Harmful if swallowed.
  • H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary statements
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301+P317 IF SWALLOWED: Get medical help.
  • P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P330 Rinse mouth.
  • P337+P317 If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
  • P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

Why is our lithium nitrate liquid at the bottom of the jar?

The salt takes water from the air very readily, so a loose lid or repeated opening in a damp room leaves a wet base. It is still lithium nitrate and still an oxidiser, so keep it upright, away from paper and card, and describe it for collection.

Can it stay in the flame test box?

It should not. It is an oxidiser that may intensify fire, so it belongs in its own labelled oxidiser space. Take it to the bench only for the lesson and return it straight away.

What should be kept away from it?

Flammable stock, acids, alkalis, corrosives and harmful stock held in locked cabinets, as well as anything organic or combustible such as card liners. Use non-combustible shelving and keep the jar closed.

Guidance only. Check your own risk assessment and your supplier's safety data sheet.

Hazard data source: PubChem GHS Classification, retrieved 31 Oct 2026. Formula LiNO3. EC number 232-218-9.

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