text: <unk> (II) nitrate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula<unk> (NO3)2. It commonly occurs as a colourless crystal or white powder and, unlike most other<unk> (II) salts, is soluble in water.
  Known since the Middle Ages by the name plumb dulcis, the production of<unk> (II) nitrate from either metallic<unk>  or<unk>  oxide in nitric acid was small-scale, for direct use in making other<unk>  compounds.  In the 19th century<unk> (II) nitrate began to be produced commercially in Europe and the United States.  Historically, the main use was as a raw material in the production of pigments for<unk>  paints, but such paints have been superseded by less toxic paints based on titanium dioxide.  Other industrial uses included heat stabilisation in nylon and polyesters, and in coatings of photothermographic paper. Since around the year 2000,<unk> (II) nitrate has begun to be used in gold cyanidation.<unk> (II) nitrate is toxic, an oxidising agent, and is categorised as probably carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Consequently, it must be handled and stored with the appropriate safety precautions to prevent inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. Due to its hazardous nature, the limited applications of<unk> (II) nitrate are under constant scrutiny.
option_0: Lead
option_1: Cobalt
option_2: Nickel
option_3: Mercury
option_4: Mercury 
option_5: Organophosphorus
option_6: Ostium
option_7: Thiol