Density0.7
0.9
1.1
1.23
1.30
1.32
1.41
1.47
1.49
1.50
1.54
1.56NITRO DERIVATIVES OF PHENOL^495TABLE 116RATE OF DETONATION OF PICRIC ACID (m/sec)According to
Kast* [70]- 5980
6465
6885
7110
According to
Friedrich * *[63]According to
Roth***[64] -4020
4635
6190
-.-
6930
4560
5430
6940
--
7504
- For unconfined charges of 21 mm diameter and a 1 g detonator.
** In a metal pipe 10-15 mm in diameter.
*** In a bakelite pipe 4.5-8.2 mm in diameter.
Cybulski [65] found the rate to be 7260 m/sec at a density of 1.7g/cm^3. As
the highest rate of detonation values from 7100 to 7500 m/sec are accepted.
TOXICITY
In the unanimous opinion of a number of authors picric acid is more toxic than
the nitro derivatives of toluene, xylene or naphthalene. It is, however, much less
toxic than nitro derivatives of benzene.
According to Lazarev [31], the single lethal dose for a cat is 0.5 g per kg of
its weight. A daily dose of 0.05-0.2 g per kg causes death after 9 days.
Saladini [66] pointed out that small doses of picric acid cause no ill-effects in
man.
Koelsch [67], from observation of 1200 workers engaged in handling picric acid,
described the symptoms of poisoning as follows: a yellow colouration of unpro-
tected parts of the skin and hair, irritation of the mucous membranes and of the
upper parts of the respiratory tract and the digestive tract. In addition, a constant
bitter taste and a lack of appetite appear. Cases of acute or chronic poisonings were
not observed.
Similar results of observations carried out at the Institute of Occupational Diseases
in Leningrad were reported by Matussevich [68]. He also mentioned the nails
turning yellow.
Lebedev [39] described the signs of mild poisoning by picric acid as follows:
yellow coloration of the skin, the teeth, the saliva and nasal mucus, bitter taste,
lack of appetite, occasionally nausea and vomiting. A decrease in the acidity of the
gastric juice is also possible, as well as conjunctivities, irritation of the upper re-