It is explosive but also highly shock, heat and friction sensitive. In fact, detonation with a speed and power superior to that of TNTcan occur by a 2 kg weight falling onto solid picric acid from a height of 36 cm. Picric acid is toxic by all routes of entry, it's also a skin irritant and allergen and will produce toxic pro-ducts on decomposition. Picric acid is used primarily in the manufacture of explosives and as an intermediate in dye manufacturing. It is also present in many laboratories, for use as a chemical reagent.
Water is added to picric acid to act as a desensitizer.
The wetted product is significantly less shock sensitive than the dry acid. Picric acid is highly reactive with a wide variety of chemicals and extremely susceptible to the formation of picrate salts. Many of these salts are even more reactive and shock sensitive than the acid itself. Particular attention must be paid in order to prevent the formation of picrate salts during normal use of picric acid. Picric acid must never be allowed to dry out but even more importantly, it should never be allowed to dry out on metal or concrete surfaces.