Registration Dossier
Registration Dossier
Data platform availability banner - registered substances factsheets
Please be aware that this old REACH registration data factsheet is no longer maintained; it remains frozen as of 19th May 2023.
The new ECHA CHEM database has been released by ECHA, and it now contains all REACH registration data. There are more details on the transition of ECHA's published data to ECHA CHEM here.
Diss Factsheets
Use of this information is subject to copyright laws and may require the permission of the owner of the information, as described in the ECHA Legal Notice.
EC number: 231-818-8 | CAS number: 7757-79-1
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
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:
- 2003
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- guideline study
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- other: UN test O.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, third revised edition, test O.1: Test for oxidizing solids (section 34.4.1). Also known as the conical pile test.
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 170 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: irregular and incomplete burning
- Key result
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 140 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: incomplete burning
- 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 oxidizing properties according to the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
- Conclusions:
- The test material (prills/granules) 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:
- Potassium nitrate (crystals) is a weak oxidizer. Potassium 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. Potassium nitrate cannot deflagrate and is thermally stable. A dust explosion is not possible. In itself potassium 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:
- NPP
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 141 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: Minimum burning time: 106 s
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- NPP-MJ
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 169 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: Minimum burning time: 150 s
- Sample tested:
- 1:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- NPP-TA
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 143 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: Minimum burning time: 90 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- NPP
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 67 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: Minimum burning time: 50 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- NPP-MJ
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- > 126 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: Minimum burning time: 73 s
- Sample tested:
- 4:1 sample-to-cellulose ratio
- Remarks:
- NPP-TA
- Parameter:
- mean burning time
- Result:
- 96 s
- Remarks on result:
- other: Minimum burning time: 54 s
- Interpretation of results:
- other: no oxidising properties
- Remarks:
- >=98.8% of prills at >=0.85 mm
- Conclusions:
- Potassium nitrate Prills (granules >= 0.85 mm, anhydrous, >=98.8%): not oxidising.
- Endpoint:
- oxidising solids
- Type of information:
- other: RTDG
- Adequacy of study:
- weight of evidence
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Data from UN, considerd as a trusted source. 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.
- Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
- reference to same study
- Guideline:
- other: not mentioned
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Method followed unknown. 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.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Sample tested:
- other: not specified
- Parameter:
- other: not specified
- Remarks on result:
- other: Oxidising
- Interpretation of results:
- other: Classified under UN1486: Hazard class 5.1 (oxidising substance)
Referenceopen allclose all
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 investigated material do not have oxidizing properties in the sense of the criteria specified in the UN RTDG.
For transport purposes, prilled potassium 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.
NPP: Some sparks or minor flames are observed
NPP-MJ: only smouldering and very minor flames are observed
Transported substances should be tested for oxidising properties and classified accordingly (Class 5.1). The results can be used for REACH purposes as well. UN1486: Hazard class 5.1 (oxidising substance); PGIII.
Description of key information
Based on the transport classification, Class 5.1. O2. PG III, it was concluded that potassium nitrate crystals have oxidising properties.
Prilled potassium nitrate do not have oxidizing properties according to the outcome of the conical pile UN Test O.1 result.
Key value for chemical safety assessment
- Oxidising properties:
- yes
Additional information
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 potassium nitrate prills and following Art. 9 of Regulation (EC) 1272/2008, potassium nitrate prills are not classified as oxidiser solids.
Justification for classification or non-classification
Based on the transport classification, potassium nitrate (crystals) has to be classified for the hazard 'Oxidising solid-Category 3' according to CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Based on the available information, prilled potassium nitrate does not have to be classified for the hazard 'Oxidising solid-Category 3' according to CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
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.
Reproduction or further distribution of this information may be subject to copyright protection. Use of the information without obtaining the permission from the owner(s) of the respective information might violate the rights of the owner.