Bismuth subnitrate

Bismuth subnitrate	Last updated: 07/09/2025
(Also known as: bismuth white; basic bismuth nitrate; bismuth oxynitrate; bismuthyl nitrate)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

An inorganic compound used as an oral drug mainly for its antacid properties

Examples of veterinary uses

Substance is used in the management and control of mastitis in cattle.

Examples of species treated

Cattle

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

None

Chemical formula

BiH₂N₃O₉

Canonical SMILES

[NH+](O)([O-])O[Bi](O[N+](=O)[O-])O[N+](=O)[O-]

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

HWSISDHAHRVNMT-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/Bi.H2NO3.2NO3/c;3*2-1(3)4/h;1-2H;;/q+3;3*-1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibacterial

Substance groups

Inorganic compound

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Mode of action is largely mechanical, forming a physical barrier in the teat canal to prevent bacterial invasion. In gastrointestinal applications, bismuth compounds (including subnitrate) are known to have cytoprotective, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties

Molecular targets

[No specific molecular target - multiple mechanisms, primarily physical and chemical interactions]

CAS RN

1304-85-4

EC number

215-136-8

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

16683874

Therapeutic Class

Genito urinary system & sex hormones: Products for teats and udder

ATCvet Code

QG52X

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All food producing species)

Molecular mass

397.01

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

bismuth hydroxide nitrate oxide

CAS name

bismuth hydroxide nitrate oxide

Forever chemical

Other status information

Annex II EEC/2377/90

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Related substances & organisms

bismuth subcarbonate

Commercial

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

Legal Class (GB/UK)

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1700s, first recorded usage; 2002, first EU approval

Example products (past and present) using this active

Orbeseal Dry Cow Intramammary Suspension

Zoetis UK Ltd

GB National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Cepralock Intramammary Suspension

MSD Animal Health UK Ltd

GB National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Noroseal Intramammary Suspension

Norbrook Laboratories Ltd

GB National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as a solution for intramammary injections

Commercial production

The production of bismuth subnitrate begins with bismuth oxide, typically derived from refining bismuth metal. This oxide is dissolved in nitric acid, forming a solution of bismuth nitrate. Impurities insoluble in nitric acid are filtered out, and the resulting filtrate is transferred to a hydrolysis tank. There, deionized water is added to initiate hydrolysis, which precipitates bismuth subnitrate as a fine white powder while leaving behind a bismuth nitrate mother liquor. The precipitate is then washed, dried, and milled to achieve the desired particle size and purity.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for the amount of life cycle GHGs produced by bismuth subnitrate are not available in the public domain. However, whilst estimates vary, emissions are likely to be around 7–14 kg CO₂e per kg of bismuth subnitrate produced. This estimate assumes conventional energy sources and standard industrial practices. If renewable energy or recycled bismuth is used, emissions could be significantly lower.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Decomposes before melting

Boiling point (°C)

Decomposes before boiling

Degradation point (°C)

260

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Largely unabsorbed but any unabsorbed bismuth is excreted in the faeces

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause loss of appetite, headache, skin rashes and rarely mild jaundice
Possible blood and kidney toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Oxidising agent
IMDG Transport Hazard Class 5.1

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN1477

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group II (moderate danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

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English

bismuth subnitrate

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Record last updated:	07/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242