Lithium Nitrate

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Appearance: White solid. Danger! Strong oxidizer. Contact with other material may cause a fire. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. May cause central nervous system effects. May cause cardiac disturbances. May cause kidney damage. May cause methemoglobinemia. Hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). Target Organs: Blood, kidneys, central nervous system, cardiovascular system.

Potential health effects

Eye: Causes eye irritation. Skin: Causes skin irritation. Ingestion: May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. May cause muscle tremor and impaired motor function. May cause circulatory system failure. May cause cardiac disturbances. May cause methemoglobinemia, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), convulsions, and death. Methemoglobinemia is characterized by dizziness, drowsiness, headache, shortness of breath, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient - 1 - oxygenation of the blood), rapid heart rate and chocolate-brown colored blood. May cause tremors and convulsions. Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. May cause methemoglobinemia, cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood), convulsions, tachycardia, dyspnea (labored breathing), and death. Chronic: Chronic ingestion may cause dizziness, ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, tremors, and mental confusion. Prolonged absorption may affect electrolyte balance and impair kidney function. Dehydration, weight loss, skin effects, and thyroid disturbances have been reported.