Nitric Acid Is Everywhere—and It’s Far More Dangerous Than You Might Think

Nitric acid is one of the most widely used industrial chemicals in the world. It’s also one of the most dangerous. Highly corrosive and capable of producing toxic fumes, nitric acid is a key ingredient in everything from fertilizer and rocket fuel to semiconductors and explosives. Yet despite its hazardous nature, nitric acid often flies under the radar. It’s handled daily in factories, frequently transported through communities, and often stored near homes, schools, and hospitals.

Most people don’t realize how common nitric acid is in the products and industries that surround us. Even fewer understand what happens when something goes wrong. A leak, a spill, or a simple lapse in safety protocol can quickly become a life-threatening emergency, not only for workers but for entire neighborhoods.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at nitric acid: what it is, how it’s used, and what dangers it presents to workers, families, and communities across the United States.

What Is Nitric Acid?

Nitric acid (HNO₃) is a highly corrosive mineral acid that appears colorless when pure but often has a yellowish or reddish tint due to the presence of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a toxic byproduct that forms when the acid decomposes. It's one of the most important chemicals in industrial manufacturing, valued for its strong oxidizing properties and its ability to react with a wide range of substances.

There are several types of nitric acid used in various industries, including:

Commercial-grade nitric acid (typically 56–68% concentration)
Fuming nitric acid, a much more concentrated form that emits dense, toxic vapors and is used in specialized applications, like rocket fuel or military-grade propellants

Because nitric acid is so reactive, it must be stored and handled with extreme care. It can cause severe burns when it comes into contact with someone’s skin, emit harmful gases when released into air, and even react violently with certain organic materials or metals. Inhaling nitric acid fumes, particularly nitrogen dioxide, can lead to serious lung injuries or death.

Why Understanding Nitric Acid Matters

You don’t need to work in a lab to be affected by nitric acid. This chemical plays a crucial role in industries that touch nearly every part of modern life: agriculture, construction, electronics, transportation, pharmaceuticals, and more. It’s used to create fertilizers that grow our food, etch the circuit boards in our phones, and clean the metals used in vehicles and appliances. That means the risk of exposure, whether direct or indirect, is a whole lot more widespread than many people realize.

Workers in industrial plants are often the first and most severely affected by accidents involving nitric acid. But communities near these facilities face risks too. Leaks, spills, and chemical releases can send toxic clouds of nitrogen dioxide into the air, contaminate water sources, or force emergency evacuations. And because nitric acid is so essential to production in high-demand industries, plants that use it are often located near urban centers, shipping routes, and residential neighborhoods.

The bottom line is this: nitric acid isn’t just a chemical used in remote labs or specialized factories. It’s embedded in our economy, our infrastructure, and in some cases, our communities. That makes understanding its dangers—and demanding accountability when companies mishandle nitric acid—not just a workplace issue but a matter of public safety.

Where Nitric Acid Is Found & How It’s Used

Nitric acid is a foundational building block for a wide range of industries, many of which produce goods we rely on every day. Its chemical versatility makes it indispensable but also means it’s present in many high-risk industrial environments.

While consumer-facing products generally don’t contain nitric acid itself, many items are made using nitric acid during the manufacturing process. These include:

Fertilizers used in landscaping or gardening
Nylon-based products, like clothing, carpets, or car interiors
Electronics and semiconductors found in phones and computers
Pharmaceuticals and synthetic dyes

Most of the risk from these products comes during production, not use. But for workers in factories or warehouses—or anyone exposed to runoff, residue, or improper disposal—the danger can be very real.

Fertilizer Production

The single largest consumer of nitric acid is the fertilizer industry. It’s used to make ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃), a nitrogen-rich compound essential for modern agriculture. While ammonium nitrate helps crops grow, it’s also known for its volatility. Under certain conditions, it can detonate, making it a dual-use material that has been involved in some of the most catastrophic industrial explosions in history.

One of the most deadly of these incidents in modern history was the 2020 Beirut explosion, which was caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate. The massive blast, which happened on August 4, 2020, resulted from the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been confiscated and improperly stored at the Port of Beirut for six years. At least 218 people died, about 7,000 more were injured, and approximately 300,000 people were displaced as a result of the explosion, which led to an estimated $15 billion USD in damage. The incident was one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history, and the single largest ammonium nitrate detonation ever.

Explosives & Propellants

The mining, construction (blasting), military, and aerospace sectors all rely on nitric acid-derived materials for controlled detonations and propulsion.

Nitric acid is a critical component in the production of various explosives, including:

TNT (trinitrotoluene)
Nitroglycerin
ANFO (ammonium nitrate and fuel oil)

Even under controlled conditions, the production and storage of these materials can pose serious safety hazards. Mishandling or exposure to heat and pressure can lead to deadly explosions, especially if safety systems fail.

Plastics & Synthetic Materials

Nitric acid plays a key role in the production of nylon, one of the most widely used synthetic fibers. It’s used to manufacture chemical intermediates like adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine, which are crucial for making nylon and other resins. This means nitric acid is part of the supply chain for products like clothing, carpeting, packaging materials, and car parts. The manufacturing process requires precise chemical control to avoid releases or accidental contact with hazardous byproducts—and sometimes, it falls short.

Metal Processing & Refining

Nitric acid is commonly used in metal processing and refining industries, including electronics manufacturing, jewelry manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, and the aerospace industry.

Within these sectors, nitric acid is essential for:

Pickling stainless steel to remove rust, scale, and contaminants
Etching metal surfaces in electronics and jewelry production
Purifying precious metals, like gold and silver

These processes release harmful vapors and often occur in enclosed industrial settings where workers are vulnerable to inhalation or accidental splashes if not properly protected.

Aerospace & Defense

The aerospace industry uses fuming nitric acid in the creation of rocket propellants due to its high reactivity. This form is extremely concentrated, highly corrosive, and emits dangerous red or yellow vapors. Handling fuming nitric acid requires specialized containment and ventilation systems. Accidents involving this chemical can lead to instant, irreversible injuries or toxic exposure on a large scale.

Pharmaceuticals & Specialty Chemicals

In the pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing sectors, nitric acid plays an important role in the creation of various ingredients that are used to make other substances.

Nitric acid is an intermediate in the synthesis of:

Dyes
Pharmaceutical ingredients
Nitro-based medications
Laboratory reagents

Even small-scale labs or chemical producers may handle nitric acid, making proper lab safety protocols critical. Improper storage or chemical disposal can cause harm far beyond the lab itself.

Water Treatment & Pollution Control

In water treatment and pollution control, nitric acid is sometimes used to:

Neutralize alkaline substances
Support nitrate-based water treatment processes

If these systems fail or are overwhelmed by stormwater runoff or chemical spills, nitric acid can enter public water systems, posing risks to both human health and the environment.

Semiconductor & Electronics Manufacturing

Nitric acid is a cleaning and etching agent used in the production of microchips and silicon wafers. It's a standard part of the high-precision process of making smartphones, computers, and other digital devices. The precision and cleanliness required in this industry means workers handle nitric acid under tightly controlled conditions, but even minor exposure can cause long-term harm if safety systems fail.

How Common Is Human Contact with Nitric Acid?

Most people will never knowingly see—much less handle—nitric acid in its raw form, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t exposed to it or affected by it. From factory workers and contractors to people living near industrial plants, nitric acid exposure is far more common than many people realize.

Workers in High-Risk Industries

The most frequent and direct contact with nitric acid happens on the job. Workers in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, aerospace, and chemical processing often handle nitric acid as part of their daily tasks.

This includes but is not limited to:

Blending and storing nitric acid solutions
Using nitric acid for cleaning or etching metals
Mixing nitric acid into fertilizers or explosive precursors
Transporting nitric acid via tanker trucks or pipelines

Because it’s used in so many industries, thousands of U.S. workers are at risk of exposure. Without proper personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and ventilation, these workers can suffer serious injuries from spills, splashes, inhalation, or even container explosions.

Contract workers and third-party vendors may be especially vulnerable. They are sometimes excluded from the same rigorous safety training or gear provided to full-time employees, despite working in the same hazardous conditions.

Accidental Exposure in Nearby Communities

It’s not just those inside the plant who are at risk. People who live, work, or go to school near nitric acid–handling facilities can also be affected, especially when leaks, spills, or chemical releases occur.

Some of the most dangerous nitric acid incidents happen during:

Transportation accidents involving tanker trucks or rail cars
Equipment malfunctions or pipe ruptures at chemical plants
Natural disasters (like hurricanes or floods) that damage storage tanks
Incidents stemming from the improper storage of nitric acid–based fertilizers or explosives

When nitric acid is released into the air, it quickly decomposes into nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), a reddish-brown gas that can travel far from the site of the spill. NO₂ is highly toxic and can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and long-term respiratory damage, especially in children, the elderly, and those with asthma or heart conditions. Even if you never see or touch nitric acid, you can still breathe it in without knowing, especially if plant operators don’t monitor or report leaks accurately, or if weather conditions spread the fumes before an evacuation is called.

What Happens If Someone Is Exposed to Nitric Acid?

Exposure to nitric acid—whether through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion—can cause immediate, severe harm. Because it’s a highly corrosive and toxic substance, even brief contact may result in life-altering injuries or long-term health complications.

Some of the immediate physical effects include:

Skin Contact: Nitric acid can cause deep chemical burns on contact. Affected skin often turns yellow due to the formation of xanthoproteic acid, a hallmark of nitric acid burns. Severe exposure may result in blistering, tissue death, or permanent scarring.
Eye Exposure: Splashes to the eyes can result in intense pain, vision loss, or even temporary or permanent blindness.
Inhalation: Breathing in nitric acid vapors or its decomposition products (especially nitrogen dioxide, NO₂) can cause:
- Coughing and choking
- Chest tightness
- Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
- Delayed respiratory failure in severe cases
Ingestion: Though rare, accidental ingestion (often in lab settings) leads to burning of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, often with fatal consequences.

Long-term health risks associated with nitric acid exposure include:

Chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, and decreased lung function
Increased sensitivity to other irritants or pollutants
Scarring of lung tissue and long-term oxygen dependence in severe cases
Possible increased cancer risk from repeated NO₂ exposure

Even low-level or short-term exposures can have lasting effects. Workers, first responders, and nearby residents exposed to vapor plumes or leaks may suffer delayed symptoms, especially if they weren’t wearing protective gear or didn’t know they’d been exposed until after the fact.

Signs of Nitric Acid Exposure

Whether you’re a worker on-site or a resident living nearby, recognizing the early signs of nitric acid exposure is important. Because nitric acid vapors can spread invisibly and cause delayed symptoms, many people don’t realize they’ve been exposed until serious harm has already occurred.

First, look for visual and environmental clues, such as:

Yellow-brown or reddish cloud: A visible plume of nitrogen dioxide gas, which forms when nitric acid is released into the air. This is a strong warning sign of a chemical leak or spill.
Strong, acrid odor: A sharp, biting chemical smell, similar to chlorine or burning plastic, may signal that nitric acid or its byproducts are present in the air.
Corroded metal or dead vegetation: Signs near a facility or after a spill may indicate long-term acid contamination.

Physical Symptoms of Nitric Acid Exposure Based on Type of Exposure

Nitric acid exposure symptoms vary depending on the type of exposure. Below are some common warning signs to look out for.

Skin Contact:

Burning sensation, pain, or blistering
Yellow discoloration (from protein breakdown)
Ulceration or permanent tissue damage if untreated

Eye Exposure:

Intense pain and tearing
Redness and swelling
Vision disturbances or loss

Inhalation of Vapors or NO₂ Gas:

Coughing, choking, or difficulty breathing
Chest tightness and wheezing
Throat irritation or hoarseness
Headache or dizziness
Nausea or vomiting in cases of high exposure

Delayed symptoms are also possible. If you suspect you or someone else has been exposed to nitric acid, watch for shortness of breath hours after exposure, which is a possible sign of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Ongoing respiratory distress, which may worsen over days, is also another sign of nitric acid exposure that can take time to appear. Seek medical treatment right away if you or someone else is experiencing any symptoms related to nitric acid exposure.

Emergency tip: If you see a yellow gas cloud, smell something harsh or metallic, or begin coughing or feeling dizzy near a facility that uses nitric acid, move upwind immediately and seek medical attention, even if your symptoms feel mild.

Long-Term Environmental Exposure to Nitric Acid

Communities near nitric acid plants may experience chronic, low-level exposure to acid vapors or nitrogen oxides, especially if emissions are not well-controlled.

Over time, this can:

Irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs
Increase the risk of respiratory illnesses
Damage local vegetation and soil
Lower air and water quality

Because nitric acid doesn’t always leave a strong or obvious smell, people may not realize they’re being exposed. That’s why environmental monitoring and public reporting are so important. Unfortunately, many facilities self-report safety data or fail to notify nearby residents after incidents, leading to inaccuracies, falsified reports, or lack of communication about safety hazards.

Major Accidents & Public Safety Concerns

Despite stringent industrial regulations, nitric acid continues to be involved in high-profile accidents across the U.S., often with devastating results.

Some of the most notable nitric acid incidents in the U.S. include:

Chemical Leak at an Ohio Explosives Plant: On June 11, 2025, a 5,000-gallon tank released about 3,000 gallons of nitric acid in Vinton County, Ohio. According to news reports, approximately 750 nearby residents were evacuated, and a no-fly zone was set up near the area as a large, orange chemical cloud formed in the air above the facility. While no injuries were reported, officials warned people in the area about the potential hazards of nitric acid exposure and urged anyone experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
Semi-Truck Accident Involving a Toxic Spill: On February 14, 2023, a semi-truck that was transporting nitric acid crashed on I-10 in Buckeye, Arizona. The incident caused the nitric acid to leak from the truck, prompting an emergency order urging people within half a mile from the accident site to leave, while those within a mile were ordered to shelter in place. The shelter-in-place order was eventually expanded to include anyone within three miles of the crash before it was lifted entirely. The incident resulted in one casualty: the truck driver, who was later found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .31%, nearly 8 times the legal limit of .04%.
Chemical Release at Elgin, SC Plant: On July 27, 2022, a chemical release from a plant in Elgin, South Carolina, resulted in a vapor mixture of nitric acid and nitrogen oxides being released into the air. The incident prompted several evacuations and an hours-long shutdown of I-20. The company that owned the plant, Weylchem U.S., did not say what triggered the leak. No injuries were reported and, after several hours, officials reopened the five-mile stretch of highway that had been closed.

While these are some of the biggest nitric acid disasters in recent history, they are not isolated incidents. They are part of a larger pattern, one of negligence and failure to follow appropriate safety standards.

In fact, some of the most common causes of these incidents include:

Aging infrastructure and corroded pipelines
Improper storage temperatures and incompatible containers
Inadequate maintenance or inspection protocols
Contractor miscommunication or lack of training
Natural disasters (flooding, earthquakes, or hurricanes) damaging chemical tanks

Notably, when employers ignore safety regulations, they put workers and entire communities at risk.

Workers & the Law: Rights, Responsibilities & Failures

Workers who handle nitric acid, including those in high-volume or high-concentration environments, are entitled to a safe workplace under U.S. law. Unfortunately, legal protections are often ignored or undermined, especially for non-union, contract, or temporary labor.

Under OSHA regulations and related laws, companies must:

Provide appropriate PPE (e.g., chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, respirators)
Train workers on proper handling, spill response, and emergency procedures
Ensure proper storage and ventilation systems
Conduct routine inspections and maintain safety data sheets (SDS)
Provide medical evaluations and monitoring for high-exposure environments

Failure to meet these standards is a violation of federal law and may establish grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

What Happens After a Workplace Exposure or Accident?

If a worker is exposed to nitric acid:

They should report the incident immediately
Their employer must provide access to medical care and file a report with OSHA
A third-party investigation may be launched, especially if injuries are serious or widespread

Unfortunately, many companies downplay or deny the extent of chemical exposure, including toxic exposure to nitric acid or its fumes. Injured workers may face retaliation for speaking up. Their workers’ compensation claims may be delayed or denied. They may find that their long-term medical costs are not fully covered by insurance. That’s why legal representation matters.

Firms like Arnold & Itkin fight to ensure injured workers receive the medical care, lost wages, and compensation they deserve, not just from their employers but from any negligent third parties, as well. Even those who were exposed to nitric acid outside of a work environment could be entitled to compensation for any related injuries or damages.

Nitric Acid: Widespread, Essential & Still Dangerous

Nitric acid is one of the most widely used industrial chemicals in the world. It plays a central role in producing fertilizers, explosives, metals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals—touching nearly every aspect of modern life. But it’s also highly toxic, corrosive, and unstable, and when things go wrong, the consequences can be devastating. Workers and surrounding communities are too often left in the dark when it comes to nitric acid exposure risks, safety failures, or delayed emergency responses. From painful chemical burns to long-term lung damage or community-wide evacuations, the stakes are incredibly high, yet many companies fail to uphold even the most basic safety standards.

At Arnold & Itkin, we believe that no one should suffer because a company chooses profits over safety. If you or someone you love was exposed to nitric acid at work, at home, or near an industrial plant, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. When someone else's negligent or wrongful conduct causes you harm, you deserve answers and accountability. We’ve helped clients across the country stand up to the most powerful corporations and win life-changing results. If you’re looking for clarity, action, and justice, we’re here to help.

Your fight is our fight. Let us help you move forward.