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EC number: 231-554-3 | CAS number: 7631-99-4
Oxidising properties
Administrative data
Link to relevant study record(s)
- Endpoint:
- oxidising solids
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- August 1999
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- guideline study without detailed documentation
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- EU Method A.17 (Oxidising Properties (Solids))
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- test mixture (not specified)
- Parameter:
- maximum burning rate
- Result:
- 5.4 mm/s
- Remarks on result:
- other: 40% test material
- Interpretation of results:
- other: Oxidising
- Conclusions:
- In an EC A.17 test it was determined that sodium nitrate (anhydrous, < 0.125 mm) has oxidising properties.
- Endpoint:
- oxidising solids
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- 2003
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Well documented study according to UN test O1
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- other: United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, third revised edition, test O.1: Test for oxidizing solids (section 34.4.1)
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Conical pile test.
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 162 s
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 152 s
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- reference: 3:7 mixture potassium bromate + cellulose
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 116 s
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- reference: 2:3 mixture potassium bromate + cellulose
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 39 s
- Interpretation of results:
- other: No oxidising properties
- Remarks:
- According to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
- Conclusions:
- The test material (prills) does not have oxidizing properties in the sense of the criteria specified in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
- Endpoint:
- oxidising solids
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 2003
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Report contains a theoretical approach on oxidizing properties of potassium nitrate.
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Two different methods exist for oxidizing properties
UN RTDG, Manual of Tests and Criteria, third revised revision, test O.1 (conical pile test). This method determined the dangerous properties of a substance as offered for transport. In case of a prilled fertilizer, the test is conducted on the prilled material.
The second method is the EC 92/69/EEC A.17 test. This method always determines the intrinsic dangerous properties of a material. Therefore, prilled fertilizers needs to be ground and sieved to a certain particle (125 µm) prior to testing. - GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Remarks on result:
- not measured/tested
- Remarks:
- Conclusion based on theoretical approach
- Conclusions:
- Sodium nitrate (crystals) is a weak oxidizer. Sodium nitrate is not able to propagate a combustion. It cannot cause spontaneous ignition. Upon mixing or in contact with a combustible material, an ignition source is needed to initiate a fire. This fire will propagate faster than in a situation where only a combustible material is present. Sodium nitrate cannot deflagrate and is thermally stable. A dust explosion is not possible. In itself sodium nitrate does not pose a safety risk. This risk only exists when other dangerous substancs are present.
- Endpoint:
- oxidising solids
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 2009
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- guideline study
- Remarks:
- Well documented study report. Test performed according to UN test O.1 by a trusted laboratory. Good description of the test material. No GLP.
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- other: UN RTDG fourth revised edition, test O.1 (section 34.4.1)
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Test described in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, fourth revised edition, test O.1: Test for oxidizing solids (section 34.4.1). Also known as the conical pile test.
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Sample tested:
- reference: 3:7 mixture potassium bromate + cellulose
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 116 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 108 s
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSA
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 164 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 142 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSA
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 69 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 53 s
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSA-J
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 164 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 108 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSA-J
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 67 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 32 s
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSA-R
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 160 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 135 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSA-R
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 99 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time:41 s
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSI
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 152 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 103 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- SSI
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 44 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: minimum burning time: 37 s
- Interpretation of results:
- other: Oxidising
- Conclusions:
- Sodium nitrate prills (granules >= 0.85 mm; >=90.8%): not oxidising.
- Endpoint:
- oxidising solids
- Type of information:
- other: UN RTDG
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- UN numbers are assigned by the United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. They are published as part of their Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, also known as the Orange Book. These recommendations are adopted by the regulatory organization responsible for the different modes of transport and considerd as a trusted source.
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- other: UN RTDG
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Sample tested:
- other: not specified
- Parameter:
- other: not specified
- Remarks on result:
- other: Oxidising
- Interpretation of results:
- other: oxidising
- Remarks:
- According to transport classification
- Conclusions:
- Based on the transport classification, it was concluded that sodium nitrate has oxidising properties.
Referenceopen allclose all
Maximum burning rate reference mixture (60%): 3.3 mm/s
All test sample/cellulose mixtures exhibit burning times greater than those of all reference substance/cellulose mixtures. Based on the results of the investigation it was concluded that the test material does not have oxidizing properties in the sense of the criteria specified in the UN RTDG.
For transport purposes, prilled sodium nitrate is not an oxidizing substance when tested according to UN, but after grinding it to a powder, this material certainly has oxidising properties.
The 1:1 mixtures exhibit an average burning time that is longer than the average burning time of the 3:7 reference mixtures. The 4:1 mixtures burn incompletely. At the end of the burning period, a considerable amount of sample is left unreacted. The mixture is not capable of reacting completely within the time limit indicated by the reference burning time. Some sparks or minor flames are observed.
Transport classification is based on UN test O.1 of the UN-MTC, Part III, sub section 34.4.1 or on experience in the handling and use of the substance.
Transport data can be used for REACH as well.
Description of key information
Based on the transport classification (Class 5.1. O2. PG III) and the EC A.17 test result, it was concluded that sodium nitrate crystals have oxidising properties.
Prilled sodium nitrate do not have oxidizing properties according to the outcome of the conical pile UN O.1 test result.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Oxidising properties:
- yes
Additional information
Transport classification can be used for REACH as well.
Packaging group III equals CLP Category 3.
The oxidising properties of a solid depend on its particle size and the composition: the smaller the particles, the higher the oxidising capacity.
Article 9 from Regulation 1272/2008 allows manufacturers and importers to take into account the forms or physical states in which the substance is placed on the market and in which it can be reasonably be expected to be used when evaluating hazard information for classification. Based on this adequate, reliable and scientifically valid information for sodium nitrate prills and following Art. 9 of Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, sodium nitrate prills are not classified as oxidiser solids.
Justification for classification or non-classification
Based on transport classification, sodium nitrate (crystals) has to be classified for the hazard 'Oxidising solid-Category 3' according to CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
The size and form of the particles determine the classification of the substance for the hazard oxidizing properties. It is therefore advised that each registrant determines the oxidizing properties of the substance that they place on the market, in accordance with the CLP Regulation, by performing the UN O.1 study.
Based on the available information, sodium nitrate (prills or granular) does not need to be classified for this hazard.
Information on Registered Substances comes from registration dossiers which have been assigned a registration number. The assignment of a registration number does however not guarantee that the information in the dossier is correct or that the dossier is compliant with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (the REACH Regulation). This information has not been reviewed or verified by the Agency or any other authority. The content is subject to change without prior notice.
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