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Public Health Statement for Ammonia (Amoníaco)Contents: This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about ammonia. This information is important because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.
HighlightsAmmonia is found throughout the environment in the air, soil, and water, and in plants and animals including humans. Exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause irritation and serious burns on the skin and in the mouth, throat, lungs, and eyes. At very high levels, ammonia can even cause death. Ammonia has been found in at least 137 of the 1,647 current or former National Priority Sites list identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What is ammonia?Ammonia occurs naturally and is produced by human activity. It is an important source of nitrogen which is needed by plants and animals. Bacteria found in the intestines can produce ammonia. About 80% is used in fertilizers; it also is used as a refrigerant gas, and in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, pesticides, detergents, and other chemicals. Small amounts of ammonia occur naturally from decomposition of organic matter. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a very distinct odor. This odor is familiar to many people because ammonia is used in smelling salts, many household and industrial cleaners, and window-cleaning products. Ammonia gas can be dissolved in water. This kind of ammonia is called aqueous ammonia. Liquid ammonia, on the other hand, is ammonia gas that is condensed to a liquid form, with no water present. Liquid ammonia will readily vaporize to ammonia gas. Ammonia is applied directly into soil on farm fields, and is used to make fertilizers for farm crops, lawns, and plants. Many household and industrial cleaners contain ammonia. Ammonia may also be known by the following synonyms: Anhydrous ammonia, Aqua ammonia, Aqueous ammonia [Note: Often used in an aqueous solution], AM-Fol, Ammonia anhydrous, Ammonia gas, Ammoniac [French], Ammoniaca [Italian], Ammoniak Kconzentrierter, Ammoniak [German], Ammoniakgas, Amoniak [Polish], CCRIS 2278, Caswell No. 041, EINECS 231-635-3, EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 005302, HSDB 162, Liquid Ammonia, Nitro-sil, R 717, Spirit of hartshorn, UN 1005 (anhydrous gas or >50% solution), UN 2073 (>44% solution), or UN 2672 (between 12% and 44% solution)
What happens to ammonia when it enters the environment?
How might I be exposed to ammonia?
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure from Ammonia:
Activities with risk of exposure to Ammonia:
Household Products listing Ammonia as an Ingredient:Below is listed the brand, category, form, and percent Ammonia content.
How can ammonia affect my health?No health effects have been found in humans exposed to typical environmental concentrations of ammonia. Exposure to high levels of ammonia in air may be irritating to your skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and cause coughing and burns. Lung damage and death may occur after exposure to very high concentrations of ammonia. Some people with asthma may be more sensitive to breathing ammonia than others. Swallowing concentrated solutions of ammonia can cause burns in your mouth, throat, and stomach. Splashing ammonia into your eyes can cause burns and even blindness.
Ammonia and Chronic Bronchitis - The American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria for chronic bronchitis is: cough at least 4 X/day, 4 days/week, 3 months/year for 2 years (sputum production on most days for at least 3 months out of the year). Causes include silica, coal dust, grain dusts, cotton dusts, welding fumes, firefighting, and dust in livestock confinement buildings. The length of exposure necessary to cause chronic bronchitis is probably years or decades, not days or months. Chronic bronchitis has been described in boiler cleaners exposed to vanadium pentoxide. Bronchitis and bronchiectasis are the most common causes of hemoptysis.Symptoms of Ammonia Induced Chronic Bronchitis:
How likely is ammonia to cause cancer?There is no evidence that ammonia causes cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the EPA, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), have not classified ammonia for carcinogenicity.
How can ammonia affect children?Children are less likely than adults to be exposed to concentrated levels of ammonia because most exposures occur at work. The effects on children are likely to be the same as for adults. We do not know if exposure to ammonia causes birth defects, or if it can pass to the fetus across the placenta or to infants via breast milk.
How can families reduce the risk of exposure to ammonia?
Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to ammonia?
There are tests to measure ammonia in blood and urine. These tests can not definitely determine whether you have been exposed because ammonia is normally found in our bodies. top
Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health from Ammonia exposure?The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has salts typically found in foods do not pose a risk to human health. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set an acceptable eight-hour exposure limit at 25 parts of ammonia per one million parts of air (ppm) and a short-term (15 minutes) exposure level at 35 ppm.
ReferencesAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 2004. Toxicological Profile for Ammonia. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
Where can I get more information?ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. For more information, contact: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry top Ammonia MSDS InformationSECTION I - Material Identity
SECTION II - Manufacturer's Information
MSDS Preparer's Information
Alternate Vendors
SECTION III - Physical/Chemical Characteristics
SECTION IV - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data
SECTION V - Reactivity Data
SECTION VI - Health Hazard Data
SECTION VII - Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
SECTION VIII - Control Measures
SECTION IX - Label Data
SECTION X - Transportation Data
SECTION XI - Site Specific/Reporting Information
SECTION XII - Ingredients/Identity Information
Complete Toxicological Profile for AMMONIA Human Health Effects AMMONIA Human Health Effects:
Human Toxicity Excerpts: SYMPTOMATOLOGY (AMMONIA GAS & WATER ONLY): 1. Vapors cause irritation of eyes & resp tract. High concn cause conjunctivitis, laryngitis, & pulmonary edema or pneumonitis. Sensation of suffocation ... induced by spasm of glottis or by laryngeal edema. 2. Contact with skin can cause burns & vesication. If squirted into eyes ... rise in intraocular pressure may mimic narrow-angle glaucoma. Corneal edema & semidilated fixed pupils ... /are/ typical. 4. If systemic absorption becomes extensive, coma may arise ... preceded by ... hypertonus & convulsions. AMMONIA HAS A GREATER TENDENCY THAN OTHER ALKALIES TO PENETRATE & DAMAGE THE IRIS, & TO CAUSE CATARACT /IN SEVERE BURNS/. IRITIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY HYPOPYON OR HEMORRHAGES ... EXTENSIVE LOSS OF PIGMENT & SEVERE GLAUCOMA. /WORKER/ COMPLAINED OF CHRONIC COUGH & INCR DYSPNEA ON EFFORT. BILATERAL INFILTRATES ... SEEN ON CHEST X-RAY, & LUNG FUNCTION INDICES REFLECTED ... VENTILATORY & DIFFUSION ABNORMALITIES. AFTER THREE YR AWAY FROM AMMONIA EXPOSURE ... WORKER HAD PERSISTENT EVIDENCE OF PULMONARY DAMAGE. SIX VOLUNTEERS INHALED AMMONIA AT 21 & 35 MG/CU M FOR 10 MIN. 5 REPORTED FAINT TO MODERATE IRRITATION & 1 REPORTED NO IRRITATION AT 35 MG/CU M. ... ANOTHER GROUP ... WAS EXPOSED FOR 5 MIN TO 22, 35, 50 & 94 MG/CU M. ... THE 94 MG/CU M ... CAUSED EYE IRRITATION WITH LACRIMATION, NOSE & THROAT IRRITATION & IN 1 ... CHEST IRRITATION. Inhalation causes ... secretion of saliva and retention of urine. Exposure to high gas concentrations may cause temporary blindness and severe eye damage. Direct contact of the eyes with liquid anhydrous ammonia will produce serious eye burns. Hyperammonemic associated encephalopathy developed in an adult receiving essential amino acids. Evidence that her encephalopathy was related to her hyperammonemia included (1) elevated CSF glutamine and serum ammonia levels, (2) the absence of any other drug or metabolic cause of encephalopathy, and (3) resolution of her encephalopathy and abnormal ammonia levels with discontinuation of the hyperalimentation. The serum ammonia levels of patients receiving essential amino acid fluid should be monitored. If the levels remain elevated or if toxicity develops, consideration should be given to switching to an alternate fluid. The effect of various ammonia concn in an enclosed atmosphere on man's adrenocortical system was investigated in five experiments on 20 young healthy test subjects. The most pronounced changes in the adrenocortical system developed when the ammonia content was 5 mg/cu m. The effect of addition of ammonia to cultures of ... human ... blood lymphocytes was studied. The concn of ammonia in the lymphocyte cultures represented normal (0.01-0.5 mg/dl), subtoxic (0.5-1 mg/dl), and toxic (1-10 mg/dl) concn of ammonia in blood. Viability of the lymphocytes and their mitogenic reactivity were measured. In general, 1.0 and 10 mg/dl of ammonia (toxic concn) affected viability and mitogenic responsiveness of all lymphocytes. Therapeutic or normal blood level: 0.05-0.17 mg %; 0.5-1.7 ug/ml 6 cases were reported of acute ammonia gas exposure following rupture of a pipe containing ammonia. Varying degrees of symptoms of acute inflammation of the respiratory tract and chemical skin burns were observed. Residual chronic bronchitis was evident in 2 cases. One worker died one month after the accident and the autopsy revealed acute laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchopneumonia, and pulmonary edema. The kidneys showed congestions and early hemorrhagic nephritis, which was attributed to toxemia secondary to chemical skin burns. During controlled human exposures at about 500 ppm for 30 minutes the following were observed: irregular minute ventilation with a cyclic pattern of hypernea, increases in blood pressure and pulse rate, variable lacrimation, and general complaints of upper respiratory irritation, some of these persisting for 24 hours following exposure. 2 cases of ocular injuries with a rise in intraocular pressure and cataract formation after ammonia of unknown concentration had been squirted into the victims' eyes during robberies /were reported/. In both cases, the more severely affected eyes showed marked injection and edema of the conjunctiva; diffuse corneal damage; semidilated, oval, and fixed pupils; and a marked increase of the intraocular pressure which persisted and was controlled only with drugs. Glaucoma was observed to be associated with an open angle. Cataract formation was seen in both cases. Visual acuity was reduced to little more than light perception. One human subject /was exposed/ for 4 hours to an ammonia concentration of 530-560 ppm in order to study biochemical and blood pressure changes. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine remained unchanged through the exposure. The carbon dioxide combining power of the blood plasma remained unaltered. Repeated blood pressure readings during the experiment showed a linear drop from 127 mm to 102 mm. No reference /was made/ to postexposure blood pressures, and data were not given on any subjective reactions or pulmonary function during or after exposure. During the exposure period, the serum nonprotein nitrogen gradually increased from 27 mg/100 g blood to 57 mg/100 g blood and the blood ammonia rose from nondetectable levels to values of 36.4 mg/100 g blood. 700 ppm causes eye irritation, and permanent injury may result if prompt remedial measures are not taken; 5000 ppm can cause immediate death from spasm, inflammation, or edema of the larynx. Contact of the liquid with skin freezes the tissue and then produces a caustic burn. Ammonia toxicity is a major factor in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy associated with chronic liver disease. Ammonia levels in patients with severe liver disease are frequently elevated both in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Hepatic encephalopathy results in neuropathological damage similar (Alzheimer type II astrocytosis) to that found in patients with congenital hyperammonemia resulting from inherited urea cycle enzymes defects. Cerebrospinal fluid and brain glutamine are significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients with encephalopathy following portocaval anastomosis. In both cases, glutamine is elevated in a region-dependent manner. The eyes of volunteers were exposed to a range of concentrations of sulfur dioxide, ammonia, butan-2-one, pentan-2-one, formaldehyde, 3-methyl-butan-2-one, or acrolein for up to 15 seconds inside close fitting goggles. The subjects also inhaled 10 breaths of 1 liter of each agent through a mouthpiece while wearing a nose clip. Eye irritancy increased with increasing bronchoconstriction. The bronchoconstrictive response occurred at concentrations below the threshold for eye irritation. The sensitivity of the lung to the irritant gases was estimated to be about 1.5 times greater than that of the eye. /The data indicated/ that although some organs may be relatively more sensitive than others, some irritant gases are specific for certain organs. /To investigate/ the etiology of altered mental status following transurethral prostatectomy, serum electrolyte and blood ammonia levels were measured in 33 patients before and immediately after transurethral prostatectemy. The irrigating fluid was 3% sorbitol in 12 patients and 1.5% glycine in 21. Serum electrolyte changes were similar in both groups. Elevated blood ammonia levels were observed in eight of the 21 patients receiving glycine irrigation. Three of these patients demonstrated clinical signs of encephalopathy. Absorption of glycine during transurethral prostatectomy appears to produce hyerammonaemia in some patients and may contribute to the encephalopathy. The relationship between ammonia accumulation during submaximal exercise and altitude acclimatization was investigated in 12 healthy male volunteers with an average age of 20 years. All the subjects lived at sea level and had not been exposed to altitudes greater than 1,500 meters for 6 months prior to the study. The study included 21 days at sea level and 14 days at high altitude (4,300 meters). The subjects were divided into an active group that exercised for a total of 40 minutes daily and a sedentary group. Plasma metabolites and ventilation were studied after three submaximal 30 minute cycling exercise periods. There were no significant differences in maximal oxygen uptake for the active and sedentary groups either at sea level or at high altitude. Values for maximal oxygen uptake decreased by 32% for both groups after 24 hr at high altitude. The maximum oxygen uptake values for the sedentary soldiers decreased another 16% after 13 days at high altitude whereas the values for the active subjects did not change after the first 24 hours at high altitude. Oxygen uptake was significantly higher for both groups at sea level than after acute or chronic high altitude exposure. The respiratory exchange ratio during exercise increased after acute exposure to high altitude, but no between group differences were observed. Resting plasma ammonia levels were comparable at all altitudes. Postexercise plasma ammonia levels were elevated in the sedentary group only after chronic high altitude exposure. No significant group differences were noted at any altitude for resting or postexercise plasma glucose and insulin concentrations or the free fatty acid to glycerol ratio. Exposure to high concn can cause temporary blindness and eye damage; 46.8 ppm recognition odor in air; good warning properties; direct contact with liquid causes severe eye burns and skin burns. Dose effect relationship 100 ppm 8 hr MAC, 300 ppm 1 hr MAC, 408 ppm least concn causing throat irritation; 698 ppm least concn causing immediate eye irritation; 1,720 ppm least level causing cough response; 5,000-10,000 rapidly fatal for short exposure 2: 3% burns on wet skin. ... Irritation of the respiratory tract and conjunctivae /was found/ in workers inhaling 100 ppm ammonia, and 20 ppm caused complaints and discomfort in uninjured workers. Studies of the effect on man of exposures in the 5-20 ppm range are meager; however, general field experience with a large number of workers exposed to ammonia from blueprinting and copying machines indicates a maximum acceptable concentration without severe complaints of 20-25 ppm. Patients who survive for more than 24 hours are likely to recover. Although complete pulmonary recovery is the usual outcome, residual bronchoconstriction, bronchiectasis, and small airway disease have been reported. Fibrous obliteration of the small airways, thought to be a late stage of bronchiolitis obliterans, is felt to be the cause of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that occasionally develops. Eye damage varying in degree to total blindness may be the permanent residual effect of an exposure to ammonia. Cataract formation, permanent corneal ulceration, and lenticular opacification have been reported. A typical case history illustrates the time course and type of injury following a nonfatal acute ammonia exposure. A 61 year old manager of an anhydrous ammonia company was accidentally sprayed in the face and chest with anhydrous ammonia when a valve malfunctioned. Immediate blepharospasm prevented him from moving away from the jet of ammonia. An employee led him to a water tank where he washed his face and chest for 15 minutes. He was taken to the local emergency room, arriving there 1 hour after the injury. Upon arrival he was aphonic and dyspneic with inspiratory stridor. He was coughing serosanguinous material. An emergency tracheostomy was performed. The chest radiograph was normal. He was treated with bronchodilators, steroids, and empiric antibiotics for treatment of second-degree burns over his thighs and chest. He recovered over a 15 day period with eventual removal of the tracheostomy. Serial chest radiographs were normal. His vision was unimpaired and he had no pulmonary complaints at the time of discharge.
Human Toxicity Values: LCLo Human inhalation 7,000 mg/cu m/3 hr
Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations: The vapor even in low concn is extremely irritating to skin, eyes and respiratory passages. Caution: Potential symptoms of overexposure are eye, nose and throat irritation; dyspnea, bronchospasm and chest pain; pulmonary edema; pink frothy sputum; skin burns, vesiculation. Strong irritant to eyes, skin, respiratory tract. Pungent odor. Liquid produces severe burns. Inhalation of high concn causes violent coughing, severe lung irritation, and pulmonary edema. Death can result if rapid escape is not possible. Swallowing liquid is corrosive to mouth, throat, stomach. Not a systemic poison.
Drug Warnings: Caution: Irritating to skin and mucous membranes. /Ammonia water-10%/
Medical Surveillance: The following medical procedures should be made available to each employee who is exposed to ammonia at potentially hazardous levels: (1) A complete medical history and physical examination: the purpose is to detect existing conditions that might place the exposed employee at increased risk, and to establish a baseline for future health monitoring. Examination of the eyes and respiratory tract should be stressed. The skin should be examined for evidence of chronic disorders; (2) 14" x 17" chest roentgenogram: Ammonia causes human lung damage. Surveillance of the lungs is indicated; (3) FVC and FEV (1 sec): Ammonia is a respiratory irritant. Persons with impaired pulmonary function may be at increased risk from exposure. Periodic surveillance is indicated. Medical examinations should be repeated on an annual basis, except that an X-ray is necessary only when indicated by the results of pulmonary function testing, or by signs and symptoms of respiratory disease.
Populations at Special Risk: IN EVENT AN INDIVIDUAL'S LIVER FUNCTION IS GREATLY REDUCED, ANY SOURCE OF AMMONIA, SUCH AS ... INHALATION ... CAN LEAD TO HEPATIC COMA WITH INCREASED CIRCULATING AMMONIA. Persons with corneal disease, and glaucoma, or chronic respiratory diseases may suffer increased risk.
Probable Routes of Human Exposure: Routes of entry: Inhalation of gas, ingestion, skin and eye contact. WHEN AMMONIA IS USED AS DEVELOPER IN PHOTOCOPYING PROCESSES ... BLUEPRINT & DIAZO, IT MAY BE RELEASED INTO WORKPLACE. ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURES OF HUMANS MAY ARISE FROM FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT CONTAINING EITHER LIQ OR GASEOUS AMMONIA. ... LIQ AMMONIA EXPOSURES MAY BE COMPLICATED BY FREEZING OF TISSUES & BY INJECTION OF A LIQ STREAM UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. ANALYSIS OF DATA OBTAINED IN PLANT SURVEYS FOUND THE LIMIT OF DETECTION TO BE BELOW 5 PPM & THE COMPLAINT LEVEL TO BE 20-25 PPM. NIOSH estimates that approximately half a million USA workers have potential exposure to ammonia.
Emergency Medical Treatment:
Emergency Medical Treatment: For more specific material safety information for Ammonia, please consult the Anhydrous Ammonia MSDS Information above. Antidote and Emergency Treatment: Call for medical aid. Vapor poisonous if inhaled. ... Move to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. ... Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Flush affected areas with plenty of water. Do not rub affected areas. If in eyes, hold eyelids open, and flush with plenty of water. If swallowed and victim is conscious, have victim drink water or milk. Inhalation: Move victim to fresh air and give artificial respiration if necessary. Oxygen may be useful. Observed for laryngeal spasm and perform /SRP: intubation or/ tracheostomy if indicated. Skin or eyes: flood immediately with running water for 15 min. Treat subsequently as thermal burn. For immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If victim is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep victim quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Ammonia and related compounds/ For basic treatment: Establish a patent airway. Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for signs of pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with normal saline during transport ... Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patient can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool. ... Do not attempt to neutralize. /Ammonia and related compounds/
Animal Toxicity Studies:
Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts: DEATH MAY RESULT PARTLY FROM ASPHYXIA & PARTLY FROM ELECTROLYTE & CELLULAR METABOLIC ACTION OF AMMONIA. TERMINAL SIGNS INCLUDE CYANOSIS, POSSIBLE VIOLENT STRUGGLING & BELLOWING ... & CLONIC CONVULSIONS. CLINICAL SIGNS INCLUDE REDDENED MUCOUS MEMBRANES, LACRIMATION, COUGHING, SNEEZING, DECR EGG PRODUCTION IN BIRDS, NASAL DISCHARGE ... & DYSPNEA DUE TO PULMONARY EDEMA. FLUID SOUNDS MAY BE DETECTED IN THE LUNGS. ... CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE FOR SEVERAL WK TO 470 MG/CU M ... TO EYES OF ... RABBITS ... PRODUCED OPACITY OVER 1/4 TO 1/2 OF CORNEA IN RABBITS. AMMONIA ... CROSSES THE OVINE PLACENTA. THE FETUS CAN ACCUMULATE (& APPARENTLY DETOXIFY) MORE AMMONIA THAN THE DAM BECAUSE FETAL TISSUES HAVE LARGER CONCN THAN THOSE OF THE DAM WHEN THE DAM IS POISONED BY UREA. STATIC EXPOSURES OF CATS & RABBITS FOR 1 HR ... AT 7000 MG/CU M RESULTED IN DEATH OF APPROX 50% ... POSTMORTEM EXAM SHOWED SEVERE EFFECTS ON UPPER RESP TRACT ... LESS SEVERE EFFECTS IN LOWER RESP TRACT INCL DAMAGE TO BRONCHIOLES & ALVEOLAR CONGESTION, EDEMA, ATELECTASIS, HEMORRHAGE, EMPHYSEMA & FLUID. /49 & 51/ RATS WERE ... EXPOSED CONTINUOUSLY FOR 90 DAYS AT ... 262 MG/CU M & FOR 65 DAYS AT 455 MG/CU M /RESPECTIVELY/. ... 262 MG/CU M ... /PRODUCED/ MILD NASAL DISCHARGE IN ABOUT 25% ... ALL 51 RATS EXPOSED AT 455 MG/CU M SHOWED MILD DYSPNEA & NASAL IRRITATION. THERE WERE 32 DEATHS BY DAY 25 & 50 BY DAY 65. ... RATS ... /EXPOSED/ TO 470 MG/CU M ... CONTINUOUSLY FOR 90 DAYS ... HISTOPATHOLOGY ... FOUND FOCAL OR DIFFUSE INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS IN ALL ... WITH EPITHELIAL CALCIFICATION IN RENAL TUBULES & BRONCHI, EPITHELIAL PROLIFERATION OF RENAL TUBULES, MYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS & FATTY LIVER /IN SOME/ ... SWINE EXPOSED FOR 2 TO 6 WK AT 100 PPM DEVELOPED CONJUNCTIVAL IRRITATION & THICKENING OF NASAL & TRACHEAL EPITHELIUM WITHOUT INJURY TO BRONCHI OR ALVEOLI. Pullets exposed to 200 ppm atmospheric ammonia for 17 days had reduced feed intake & reduced growth rate when compared to controls. After the ammonia exposure period at point of lay, percent egg production was less & mortality was greater for exposed group than controls. Lesions occurring in resp tract of mice after exposure to 10 sensory irritants (incl ammonia), at concn which elicited a resp decrease of 50% (RD50), were compared with respect to type & severity. The RD50 of ammonia was 303 ppm. Exposure for 6 hr/day for 5 days produced lesions in nasal cavity with distinct anterior-posterior severity gradient. Lesions produced by the irritants ranged from slight epithelial hypertrophy or hyperplasia to epithelial erosion, ulceration, & necrosis with variable inflammation of subepithelial tissues. Turkeys were given an aerosol vaccine to determine their ability to clear a virulent inhaled pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli, while maintained in presence of atmospheric ammonia at 2 concn (10 & 40 ul/l of air). More Escherichia coli were found in lungs, air sacs, & livers of turkeys exposed to ammonia. Turkeys not exposed to ammonia had better clearance of Escherichia coli. Vaccination against Escherichia coli improved the rate of clearance of Escherichia coli in birds not exposed to ammonia. Ammonia intoxication decreases the hyperpolarizing action of postsynaptic inhibition in cat spinal cord. The effect of ammonia intoxication on postsynaptic inhibition can be considered as a cause of the encephalopathy produced because postsynaptic inhibition is altered without a change in tissue energy state, the resting membrane potential, the whole neuron resistance, the action potential & the excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Symptoms of injury are more variable on herbaceous plants than on woody species, ranging from irregular, bleached, bificial, necrotic lesions to reddish interveinal streaking or dark upper surface discoloration. Fifty pounds of gas used /as a fumigant/ in two dairy sheds killed starlings, sparrows, mice and pigeons after 7 min of fumigation. ... Rapid dispersal of the gas eliminates danger of milk contamination or adverse residual effects on cattle. ... The search for the peripheral toxins responsible for the CNS impairment present in hepatic encephalopathy has ... shown that the administration of ammonia, mercaptans and octanoic acid in normal rats reproduced behavioral and electrophysiological changes similar to those seen in galactosamine induced encephalopathy. The present report shows that a subacute administration of the above toxins induced a marked alteration of the GABA receptor complex which may account for the CNS derangement of hepatic encephalopathy. Decreased ammonia toxicity with increased salinity may be partially explained, at least for low salinity levels, by the fact that there is a slight decrease in the ammonia fraction of total ammonia as ionic strength increases in dilute saline solutions. Although total ammonia toxicity was reduced at elevated CO2 levels, the inverse was true when considering non-ionized ammonia alone; more NH3 is required in low CO2, high pH water to exert the same toxic effect as seen in fish in high CO2, low pH water. The explanation presented for the decreased toxicity of NH3 in low CO2 water was that CO2 excretion across the gills would reduce pH, and therefore NH3 concentration, in water flowing over the gills. In experiments with Potamogeton lucens, /it was/ observed that ammonia, which forms a readily available nitrogen source for the plant, can be toxic when present at high concentrations ... causing appreciable injury to detached branches. /Results of/ an unstated number of rabbits and cats for 1 hour to initial concentrations of 3.5-8.7 mg/l (approximately 5,200-12,800 ppm) /of ammonia/ with an average concentration of 7.0 mg/l (approximately 10,360 ppm was reported to be the "approximate LC50." The static method of gassing used probably resulted in an average concentration of half the initial concentrations or less. Also evaluated was the gas absorption of the nasobuccopharyngeal section of the respiratory tract. Rabbits /which/ inhaled directly through a tracheal cannula, and a second group inhaled normally through nose, mouth, and throat. The mean survival time in the second group was reported to be almost twice that of the first group, 33 hr versus 18 hr. On microscopic examination, the trachea was congested and edematous. The mucosa was necrotic and sloughed off in 80-90% of the animals in which the upper respiratory tract had been bypassed, while the trachea was normal in appearance in the second group of test animals. Similar differential findings, but to a lesser degree, were shown in the bronchial mucosa. The damage to the bronchioles and alveoli surprisingly appeared to be identical in both groups. It was described as congestion, edema, hemorrhage, and atelectasis with emphysema. The upper respiratory tract acted as a protection only to the trachea and bronchi, and that small airways and alveoli were less resistant to ammonia injury in many cases within 10 minutes. Between the 6th and 10th postexposure days, 7 of the 80 died, compared with no deaths in controls. Autopsies were not performed. 12 guinea pigs /were exposed/ to about 170 ppm ammonia for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for up to 18 weeks. Chamber concentrations were monitored and ranged from 140-200 ppm. The exposed animals and 6 controls were weighed weekly. No adverse effects were observed by autopsy of the 4 exposed and 2 control animals killed after 6 weeks or after 12 weeks. In 4 animals exposed for 18 weeks, there was congestion of spleens, livers, and kidneys with early degenerative changes in suprarenal glands. Increased blood destruction was suggested by higher quantities of hemosiderin in the spleens. In the upper tubules of the kidneys there was cloudy swelling with precipitated albumin in the lumen and some casts. These changes were also seen in the lower tubules of 2 animals. The cells of the suprarenal glands were swollen and the cytoplasm in some areas had lost its normal granular structure. One pig exposed to 280 ppm of ammonia showed immediate irritation of the nose and mouth and abnormal respiratory patterns, and by the 36th hour of exposure had convulsions and extremely shallow and irregular breathing. Convulsions continued for 3 hours after exposure ended but the animal appeared normal several hours later. In each of 2 trials, 4 exposure groups of 9 pigs each were continuously exposed to ammonia for 5 weeks. Data from both trials were combined for analysis. Concentrations of ammonia were measured daily, and the average exposures of the groups were 12, 61, 103, and 145 ppm. Feed consumption and average daily weight gain were adversely affected by increasing ammonia concentrations. Pigs exposed to the 3 higher concentrations had excessive nasal, lacrymal, and oral secretions, but these were less pronounced in those exposed to 61 ppm. Pigs exposed to 61 ppm appeared to adjust within 3-4 days, so that their secretory rate was only slightly higher than that of animals exposed to 12 ppm. Pigs in the 2 higher concentrations coughed approximately 3 times as much as those in the lower, and coughing at 61 ppm was slightly more frequent than at 12 ppm. Five animals from each exposure group were autopsied and all gross and microscopic findings were normal. Arginine administration (5 m moles/kg/day) to albino rats for 7 days, revealed that this vital basic amino acid possesses latent potentiality for the accentuation of urea cycle or at least for arginase activity. The mitigation of ammonia toxicity was observed to be more effective in the gastrocnemius and red vastus as compared to white vastus. Ammonia and lactate levels were decreased in blood by arginine and thereby delayed the onset of fatigue by preventing ammonotoxemia and lactic acidemia. The short-term effects of ammonia vapor on mucociliary function in the maxillary sinus of rabbits anesthetized with urethane were investigated by a photoelectric technique. Challenges with 1.5 ml ammonia increased mucociliary activity dose dependently, the maximal response being 26.6 + or - 1.6%. The increase appeared within 1.3 + or - 0.3 seconds after exposure. Atropine and hexamethonium decreased the effects of NH3, indicating that part of the response was mediated by cholinergic effector neurons, but a noncholinergic effect clearly remained. Pretreatment with large doses of capsaicin (13 mg ia) abolished the response, whereas the neuropeptide substance P antagonist (d-Pro2, D-Trp7,9) inhibited the noncholinergic response. Challenges with ammonia vapor decreased respiratory rate. An identical response was noticed during injections with the C fiber stimulant capsaicin. Ammonia vapor trigger a mucociliary protective reflex in the airways, involving capsaicin-sensitive C fibers; the increase of mucociliary activity is probably due to the combined effect on the mucociliary system of both neuropeptide substance P and acetylcholine released from the afferent and efferent part of the reflex arc, respectively. The effects of exposure of animals to ammonia on their delayed type of dermal response, the mitogenic and antigenic responses of their lymphocytes, and the bactericidal and phagocytic activities of their alveolar macrophages were examined. ... The response of normal blood lymphocytes to phytohemaglutinin in medium containing 1 or 10 mg of ammonia/dl was significantly affected. There was no significant difference in the bactericidal or phagocytic activities of alveolar macrophages collected from animals exposed to ammonia and control animals. However, ammonia added to the culture of alveolar macrophages from normal animals significantly inhibited their bactericidal activity. The effect of addition of ammonia into the tissue cultures represented toxic, subtoxic, and normal concn of ammonia in the bovine blood during clinical and subclinical urea toxicosis. ... Viability of the lymphocytes was measured by the trypan blue exclusion test and their mitogenic reactivity by incorporation of (3)H thymidine into DNA of lymphocytes. Approximately 30% bovine lymphocytes were killed by ammonia in medium during 72 hr of incubation. Ammonia also affected the response of lymphocytes to stimulation with PHA or Con A as well as mixed lymphocyte culture reaction. The mitogenic response of lymphocytes was also reduced when lymphocytes were preincubated with ammonia for even 1 hr. The mitogenic response was not restored when the number of lymphocytes preincubated with ammonia was reconstituted to the initial concn to compensate for the killed lymphocytes before stimulation with PHA. Therefore, addition of ammonia to the culture either killed lymphocytes or permanently impaired their function. Recent studies of dairy cattle provide speculative evidence that, high protein feeding or forms of protein that lead to elevated ammonia concn in tissue, decrease conception rates, and increase the calving to conception intervals of dairy cows. Acute symptoms of ammonia (NH3) toxicity to brown trout sac fry and 12 day old fry were described by researchers, who exposed fry to concn ranging from 0.08 to 50.0 mg/l NH3. Symptoms caused by NH3 exposures were: rapid spasm like movements at concn of 2.0 mg/l NH3 and higher within 16-17 minutes of exposure; after 40 minutes these symptoms were also observed at 0.4 mg/l NH3. After 2.5 hr these abnormal movements ceased, and at 10 hr heart activity was decreased and fish lost movement ability at the higher (> 2.0 mg/l NH3) concn. Other symptoms included inability to react to mechanical stimulation and disorders in rhythm of mouth movements culminating in the mouth's staying rigidly open. Eight rats and four mice /were exposed/ for 16 hr to an ammonia gas concentration of 1,000 ppm in a continuous flow chamber study. No noticeable effects /were noted/ during exposure. One rat died 12 hr after exposure and showed congestion of the brain, liver, and kidneys, plus large hemorrhages in the lung and pulmonary edema. The other 11 animals showed no gross abnormalities during the subsequent 5 months of observation. Two rats and two mice were killed at that time, and autopsy results were negative. The concn of ammonia fumes in the air of animal rooms from bedding soiled with urine ... is also now recognized as a possible complicating factor in the interpretation of animal studies, particularly when there might be respiratory lesions. ... the effects of ammonia at concn of 25-250 ppm in the air of animal rooms on the characteristics of murine respiratory mycoplasmosis in Sherman and Fischer rats. The prevalence of pneumonia, but not of other respiratory lesions of murine respiratory mycoplasmosis, showed a strong tendency to incr directly with environmental ammonia concn. Exposure to ammonia of rats that had not been infected with the mycoplasma organism caused anatomic lesions that were unlike those of mycoplasmosis and were limited to the nasal passages. Extensive experiments in eight ureotelic species, including man, show that urinary excretion of orotic acid becomes significantly elevated when the quantity of ammonia presented to the liver exceeds the capacity for normal detoxification.
Non-Human Toxicity Values: RD50 Mouse (Respiratory Rate): 303 ppm LC50 Rabbit inhalation 7,050 mg/cu m/1 hr LCLo Rabbit inhalation 4,900 mg/cu m/1 hr LCLo Cat inhalation 4,900 mg/cu m/1 hr LC50 Cat inhalation 746 mg/cu m/1 hr (Dynamic air flow) LC50 Cat inhalation 7,050 mg/cu m/1 hr (Static conditions) LC50 Rat inhalation 7,600 mg/cu m/2 hr (age and strain not specified) LC50 Rat inhalation 5,100 mg/cu m/1 hr (age and strain not specified) LCLo Rat inhalation 1,400 mg/cu m/1 hr (age and strain not specified) LC50 Mouse inhalation 7,105 mg/cu m/10 min LC50 Mouse inhalation 3,360 mg/cu m/1 hr LC50 Mouse inhalation 3,310 mg/cu m/2 hr LD50 Rat oral 350 mg/kg
Ecotoxicity Values: LC50 Daphnia magna 24 mg/L/48 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Daphnia magna 189 mg/L/48 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Daphnia pulex 187 mg/L/48 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Ceriodaphnia reticulata 131 mg/L/48 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Simochephalus vetulus 123 mg/L/48 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Fathead minnows 8.2 mg/L (hard water)/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Goldfish 2-2.5 mg/L/24-96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Coho salmon 0.45 mg/L/96 hr /Flow-through bioassay/ LC50 Guppy fry 74 mg/L/72 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Guppy fry 1.26 mg/L/72 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) fry 0.5-0.8 mg/L/96 hr /Flow-through bioassay/ LC50 Rainbow trout fertilized egg >3.58 mg/L/24 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Rainbow trout alevins (0-50 days old) >3.58 mg/L/24 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Rainbow trout fry (85 days old) 0.068 mg/L/24 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Rainbow trout adult 0.097 mg/L/24 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Walking catfish 0.28 mg/L/48 hr /Static bioassay/ LC50 Salmo aguabonita 0.76 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Salmo trutta >0.15 mg/L/18 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Oncorhynchus tschawytscha 0.47 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Salvelinus fontinalis 0.96-1.05 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Proposium williamsoni 0.47 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Catostomus platyrhynchos 0.67-0.82 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Salmo trutta 0.47 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Salvelinus fontinalis >3.2 mg/L/1.8 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (late alevins) 0.083 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Oncorhynchus gorbuscha (eyed embryos) >1.5 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Oncorhynchus kisutch 0.55 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Salmo salar 0.28 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Pimephales promelas 0.75-3.4; 0.73-2.3 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Catostomus commersoni 0.79; 1.35-1.4 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/ LC50 Lepomis macrochirus 0.26-4.6 mg/L/96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics:
Metabolism/Metabolites: ONCE ABSORBED, AMMONIA IS CONVERTED TO AMMONIUM ION AS THE HYDROXIDE & AS SALTS, ESPECIALLY AS CARBONATES. THE AMMONIUM SALTS ARE RAPIDLY CONVERTED TO UREA ... MAINTAINING AN ISOTONIC SYSTEM. Deamination of amino acids by the liver, metabolic activity of nerve and muscle tissue, as well as activity of enzymes contained in the flora of the gut on substrates derived from the diet and the blood all lead to the production of ammonia. Ammonium ions are produced in the body as a protein metabolite. Ammonium ions produced by deamination are rapidly converted in the liver into relatively harmless urea and excreted by the kidney or are used to make new amino acids. Ammonium ions are also produced in the kidney, conserving fixed base, thus maintaining electrolyte balance. Carbamide administration to animals is accompanied by its rapid transformation to carbon dioxide and ammonia in the rumen by the microbial enzyme urease. Therefore, large doses of carbamide can result in very high rumen level of ammonia. ... Ammonia production was observed from stimulated nerve. ... Relationship between ammonia production and the muscle activity /was studied/. The immediate source of ammonia from muscle appears to be a result of the deamination of adenosine monophosphate and is more apparent in fast twitch than in slow twitch fibers. More recently, increases in blood ammonia levels have been reported in rats after swimming and in humans after arm work, maximal cycle ergometry, and treadmill exercise. Elevated blood ammonia has also been linked to a surprising variety of functional, metabolic, and neurological disturbances other than exercise and fatigue, including the development of hepatic coma, convulsions from ammonia toxicity precipitated by high pressure oxygen breathing, epileptic seizures, and decreased neuronal excitability. In addition, a number of genetic disorders (inborn errors in metabolism) are characterized by elevated blood ammonia concn. Symptoms of neural disability in all of the above conditions have been related to the concn of ammonia in blood. ... ... Following administration of (13)N ammonia to rats (via either the carotid artery or cerebrospinal fluid), most metabolized label was in glutamine (amide) and little was in glutamate (plus aspartate). Since blood and cerebrospinal fluid borne ammonia are converted largely to glutamine, it is not possible to predict with certainity the metabolic fate of bulk of endogenously produced ammonia. By comparing the specific activity of L-(13)N glutamate to that of L-amine-(13)N glutatmine following intracarotid (13)N ammonia administration it was concluded that metabolic compartmentation is no longer intact in the brains of rats treated with the glutamine synthetase inhibitor L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine and that blood and brain ammonia pools mix in such animals. In L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine treated animals, recovery of label in brain was low (approximately 20% of controls), and of the label remaining, a prominent portion was in glutamine (amide) (despite an 87% decrease in brain glutamine synthetase activity). The rate of tunrnover of blood derived ammonia to glutamine in normal rat brain is extremely rapid (half-life < or = 3 s), but is slowed in the brains of chronically (12-14 wk portacaval shunted) or acutely (urease treated) hyperammonemic rats (half-life < or = 10 s). The slowed turnover rate may be caused by increased astrocytic ammonia, decreased glutamine synthetase activity, or both. In the hyperammonemic rat brain, glutamine synthetase is the only important enzyme for the removal of blood-borne ammonia. Hyperammonemia causes an increase in brain lactate/pyruvate ratios and decrease in brain glutamate and brainstem ATP, consistent with an interference with the malate-aspartate shuttle. In vitro, pathological levels of ammonia inhibit brain alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex and, less strongly, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Ammonia is a toxic molecule that is the principal by-product of amino acid metabolism. The transport of ammonia in a nontoxic form protects the brain against high circulating levels. The liver is the central organ of ammonia metabolism, but other organs play a key role in the interorgan exchange of this molecule. Alterations in ammonia metabolism occur during critical illness.
Absorption, Distribution & Excretion: AMMONIA IS ABSORBED BY INHALATION, INGESTION, & PROBABLY PERCUTANEOUSLY AT CONCN HIGH ENOUGH TO CAUSE SKIN INJURY. DATA ARE NOT AVAIL ON ABSORPTION OF LOW CONCN THROUGH SKIN. ... EXCRETION IS PRIMARILY BY WAY OF KIDNEYS, BUT A NOT INSIGNIFICANT AMT IS PASSED THROUGH SWEAT GLANDS. ... The average nasal retention of ammonia by human subjects was found to be 83%. Levels of exhaled (nasal) ammonia were measured in rabbits at different times on the same day, on different days, and in rabbits in a normal fed state, or in a fasted or fed state in which the teeth were brushed and the mouth cleansed. The variability of ammonia levels within any individual rabbit was found to be of the same order as the variability found between different animals. In addition, rabbits which were fasted and had their teeth brushed exhaled significantly less ammonia than did fed animals. Levels in the former group ranged from 2 to 236 ug/cu m, while those in the latter group ranged from 10 to 758 ug/cu m. Although brushing the teeth of fed animals compressed the observable range of ammonia levels (22-404 mg/cu m), this was not a significant reduction compared to fed, unbrushed animals. Thus, fasting likely minimized foodstuff in the mouth; the latter may contribute to ammonia formation through bacterial degradation, which appears to be a significant source of ammonia exhaled through the nose.
Mechanism of Action: SRP: Ammonia in an aqueous environment exists in equilibrium between ionized ammonium cation and the non-ionized ammonia. This equilibrium can be affected by buffers, pH, temperature, and salinity. Thus in many cases it is not possible to assign the associated toxicity to the ionized or non-ionized form of the ammonia-nitrogen. PRIMARY MECHANISM OF AMMONIA TOXICOSIS APPEARS TO BE INHIBITION OF /CITRIC/ ACID CYCLE. THERE IS INCR IN ANAEROBIC GLYCOLYSIS, BLOOD GLUCOSE, & BLOOD LACTATE ... ACIDOSIS IS MANIFESTED. EXACT MEANS BY WHICH AMMONIA BLOCKS CITRIC ACID CYCLE IS NOT KNOWN. Rates of glutamate formation & of carbon dioxide production (as indication of oxidative deamination of glutamate) were determined in primary cultures of astrocytes exposed to 50 uM labeled glutamate in absence or presence of added ammonia (0.1-3 mM). Glutamine formation (1.7 nmol/min/mg protein) was unaffected by all concn of added ammonia. Pathophysiological concn of ammonia does not incr formation of glutamine from exogenous glutamate. Carbon dioxide production rate was 5.9 nmol/min/mg protein, ie, 3 to 4 times higher than the rate of glutamine formation. It was significantly reduced (to 3.5 nmol/min/mg protein) in presence of 1 mM or more of ammonia. This is an indication that toxic levels of ammonia affect oxidative metabolism. Acute & sustained hyperammonemia in mice resulted in decr of transition temperature of Arrhenius plots of synaptosomal (sodium-potassium)ATPase. This seems to indicate that ammonia alters physical properties of synaptosomal membranes. Ammonia disrupts primarily the Krebs cycle. The adverse effects on the central nervous system and ATP deficiency during the intoxication often result in animal death. The irritation to mucous membranes becomes noticeable at about 100 ppm. Concentrations above 400 ppm may destroy mucous surfaces upon prolonged contact by dissolving or emulsifying keratin, fat, and cholesterol.
Interactions: The combined effects of ammonia and carbon particles inhaled by rats were reportedly much greater than those from ammonia (or carbon) alone. ... /AMMONIA/ ACCENTUATED RESP PARALYSIS & COMA DUE TO EXPOSURE TO METHANETHIOL. ... /IT IS/ CONCLUDED THAT THESE AGENTS SYNERGISTICALLY AFFECT CERTAIN ENZYME SYSTEMS WHICH ARE ACTIVATED UNDER PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. Pent-4-enoic acid inhibited urea synthesis approx 90% in rat hepatocytes incubated with pyruvate, ammonia, & ornithine. The addn of ammonia led to drastic dose dependent inhibition of ureagenesis by pent-4-enoate. Half-max effect of ammonia was observed at 0.2 mM concn. Concommitant cellular concn of N-acetylglutamate were modified by addn of ammonia as was accumulation of citrulline. Ammonia may interfere with metabolism of pent-4-enoic acid & lead to dramatic potentiation of its toxicity. Sodium benzoate lowers serum ammonia concn by the activation of a non-urea cycle pathway of ammonia removal. The disposition of sodium benzoate was monitored in four hyperammonemic newborn infants, using a simple and newly developed assay for benzoate and hippurate, to assess (1) the metabolic capability of patients of this age to utilize this pathway for nitrogen removal, (2) the potential risks of benzoate toxicity at clinically acheived serum benzoate concn, and (3) the value of routine monitoring of serum benzoate concn in this patient population. Sodium benzoate potentiation of ammonia toxicity and inhibition of urea synthesis in vitro, has been confirmed and the mechanism by which benzoate increases mortality and the levels of blood ammonia in mice given ammonium acetate are studied. Urea production and N-acetylglutamate levels were decreased by sodium benzoate. Pretreatment of mice with L-carnitine suppressed mortality following ammonium acetate plus sodium benzoate administration. L-carnitine lowered blood ammonia and increased urea production and N-acetylglutamate levels. Six epileptic patients are described to whom the addition of valproic acid to a previously unsatisfactory antiepileptic treatment caused a toxic encephalopathy. This was characterized by alterations of the state of consiousness in all patients a few days after the beginning of treatment with valproic acid. These ranged from a marked drowsiness to coma and were often associated with gastrointestinal and neurobiological (ataxia, asterixis) symptoms. In all cases very high blood levels of ammonia were found and the EEG's showed a diffuse slowing down of the activity. After the discontinuation of the drug the toxic symptoms quickly ceased and ammonia values returned to the normal values. It is hypothesized that the interference of valproic acid on the metabolism of ammonia could play an important role in the pathogenesis of the valproic acid induced toxic encephalopathy.
Pharmacology:
Therapeutic Uses: Medication (Vet): Reflex respiratory stimulant. /Ammonia water-10%/ Medication (Vet): Internally as an antacid and carminative. /Ammonia water-10%/
Drug Warnings: Caution: Irritating to skin and mucous membranes. /Ammonia water-10%/
Interactions: The combined effects of ammonia and carbon particles inhaled by rats were reportedly much greater than those from ammonia (or carbon) alone. ... /AMMONIA/ ACCENTUATED RESP PARALYSIS & COMA DUE TO EXPOSURE TO METHANETHIOL. ... /IT IS/ CONCLUDED THAT THESE AGENTS SYNERGISTICALLY AFFECT CERTAIN ENZYME SYSTEMS WHICH ARE ACTIVATED UNDER PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. Pent-4-enoic acid inhibited urea synthesis approx 90% in rat hepatocytes incubated with pyruvate, ammonia, & ornithine. The addn of ammonia led to drastic dose dependent inhibition of ureagenesis by pent-4-enoate. Half-max effect of ammonia was observed at 0.2 mM concn. Concommitant cellular concn of N-acetylglutamate were modified by addn of ammonia as was accumulation of citrulline. Ammonia may interfere with metabolism of pent-4-enoic acid & lead to dramatic potentiation of its toxicity. Sodium benzoate lowers serum ammonia concn by the activation of a non-urea cycle pathway of ammonia removal. The disposition of sodium benzoate was monitored in four hyperammonemic newborn infants, using a simple and newly developed assay for benzoate and hippurate, to assess (1) the metabolic capability of patients of this age to utilize this pathway for nitrogen removal, (2) the potential risks of benzoate toxicity at clinically acheived serum benzoate concn, and (3) the value of routine monitoring of serum benzoate concn in this patient population. Sodium benzoate potentiation of ammonia toxicity and inhibition of urea synthesis in vitro, has been confirmed and the mechanism by which benzoate increases mortality and the levels of blood ammonia in mice given ammonium acetate are studied. Urea production and N-acetylglutamate levels were decreased by sodium benzoate. Pretreatment of mice with L-carnitine suppressed mortality following ammonium acetate plus sodium benzoate administration. L-carnitine lowered blood ammonia and increased urea production and N-acetylglutamate levels. Six epileptic patients are described to whom the addition of valproic acid to a previously unsatisfactory antiepileptic treatment caused a toxic encephalopathy. This was characterized by alterations of the state of consiousness in all patients a few days after the beginning of treatment with valproic acid. These ranged from a marked drowsiness to coma and were often associated with gastrointestinal and neurobiological (ataxia, asterixis) symptoms. In all cases very high blood levels of ammonia were found and the EEG's showed a diffuse slowing down of the activity. After the discontinuation of the drug the toxic symptoms quickly ceased and ammonia values returned to the normal values. It is hypothesized that the interference of valproic acid on the metabolism of ammonia could play an important role in the pathogenesis of the valproic acid induced toxic encephalopathy.
Environmental Fate & Exposure:
Probable Routes of Human Exposure: Routes of entry: Inhalation of gas, ingestion, skin and eye contact. WHEN AMMONIA IS USED AS DEVELOPER IN PHOTOCOPYING PROCESSES ... BLUEPRINT & DIAZO, IT MAY BE RELEASED INTO WORKPLACE. ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURES OF HUMANS MAY ARISE FROM FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT CONTAINING EITHER LIQ OR GASEOUS AMMONIA. ... LIQ AMMONIA EXPOSURES MAY BE COMPLICATED BY FREEZING OF TISSUES & BY INJECTION OF A LIQ STREAM UNDER HIGH PRESSURE. ANALYSIS OF DATA OBTAINED IN PLANT SURVEYS FOUND THE LIMIT OF DETECTION TO BE BELOW 5 PPM & THE COMPLAINT LEVEL TO BE 20-25 PPM. NIOSH estimates that approximately half a million USA workers have potential exposure to ammonia.
Natural Pollution Sources: Toxic concn ... can be liberated from decomposing manure that is confined to a slurry pit or chicken house. Ammonia is the first complex molecule to be identified in interstellar space; it has been observed in galactic dust clouds in the Milky Way, and is believed to constitute the rings of the planet Saturn.
Artificial Pollution Sources: /Manmade/ Combustion Sources: Amount of emission: coal 2 lb/ton, fuel oil 1 lb/1,000 gal, natural gas 0.3 to 0.56 lb/1x10+6 cu ft, butane 1.7 lb/1x10+6 cu ft, propane 1.3 lb/1x10+6 cu ft, wood 2.4 lb/ton, forest fires 0.3 lb/ton. Ammonia discharged daily in metropolitan areas of 100,000 persons using each heating system: domestic heating fuel: coal: 2,000 lb NH3, oil: 800 lb NH3, /natural/ gas 0.3 lb NH3.
Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: It is assumed that ammonia combines with sulfate ion in the atmosphere or in washout by rainfall resulting in a rapid return of ammonia to the soil.
Environmental Biodegradation: When ammonia appears in water under the normal conditions (aerobic), it is rapidly converted to nitrate by nitrification; the principal water contaminant normally being nitrate. The pH in water is increased by the presence of ammonia ion, in the form of hydroxide ions. ... Bacteria convert the ammonia to nitrate creating an oxygen demand (BOD) several days after the introduction of ammonia. The bacteria that oxidize ammonia to nitrate are largely of the genus Nitrosomonas; conversion of nitrite to nitrate is carried out primarily by the genus Nitrobacter. Temperature, oxygen supply, and pH of the water are factors in determining the rate of oxidation. Characteristics of leachate from a major co-disposal landfill were presented. The leachate is typical of a stabilized situation where acid fermentation is in balance with methane formation. No evidence was found of contamination by hazardous components of the industrial wastes deposited at the site. Aerobic biological treatment completely nitrified NH3 in the leachate.
Environmental Abiotic Degradation: Wastewater Treatment: ammonia is oxidized by ozone; the reaction is first order with respect to the concn of ammonia and is catalyzed by hydroxide ion over the pH range 7-9. Some of the ammonium ions in the atmosphere are oxidized to oxides of nitrogen and nitrate ion, which represents a significant contribution to the total acidity of rainfall. AQUATIC FATE: The proportion of ammonia (NH3) and ammonium ion found in water used for production is considered an important indicator of quality in agriculture. In highly populated fish breeding plants, where feed left overs, excrement and metabolic waste cause growth disturbances and deficiencies, even though there is an adequate supply of oxygen, nitrogen cmpd are the decisive factor. A significant role is played by the undissociated NH3 molecule. ... Experiments were carried out both with and without ventilation and using varying amounts of fish feed. The concn of NH3, which depends on pH and temperature, was investigated to determine the extent of the oxidative change of NH3 through NO3- during the mineralization process of the feed leftovers. Under the conditions used in the 2 sets of experiments there was hardly any tendency for the pH values in the unventilated experiments to alter and become more alkaline from an ammonification of left over feed. In the experiments using ventilation, the proteins underwent an especially intensive process of decomposition, ie, they became completely mineralized, and considerable amounts of NH4-N and NH3 N were released. Due to the lack of organic acids, these could not be neutralized and, as a result, the pH value increased.
Environmental Bioconcentration: Plants have a high affinity for gaseous ammonia when leaf stomata are open in daylight.
Soil Adsorption/Mobility: Ammonia is strongly adsorbed on soil, and on sediment particles and colloids in water. This adsorption results in high concentrations of sorbed ammonia in oxidized sediments. Under anoxic conditions, the adsorptive capacity of sediments is less, resulting in the release of ammonia to either the water column or an oxidized sediment layer above. In clay, the ion tends to be adsorbed on the negative adsorption sites of clay colloids. It may substitute for potassium in the lattice structure of a clay mineral.
Environmental Standards & Regulations:
CERCLA Reportable Quantities: Persons in charge of vessels or facilities are required to notify the National Response Center (NRC) immediately, when there is a release of this designated hazardous substance, in an amount equal to or greater than its reportable quantity of 100 lb or 45.4 kg. The toll free number of the NRC is (800) 424-8802; In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (202) 426-2675. The rule for determining when notification is required is stated in 40 CFR 302.4 (section IV. D.3.b). Releases of CERCLA hazardous substances are subject to the release reporting requirement of CERCLA section 103, codified at 40 CFR part 302, in addition to the requirements of 40 CFR part 355. Ammonia is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) subject to reporting requirements when stored in amounts in excess of its threshold planning quantity (TPQ) of 500 lbs.
Clean Water Act Requirements: Designated as a hazardous substance under section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and further regulated by the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1977 and 1978. These regulations apply to discharges of this substance.
Allowable Tolerances: The fungicide ammonia is expempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used after harvest on the raw agricultural commodities grapefruit, lemons, oranges, and corn grain for feed use only.
Chemical/Physical Properties:
Molecular Formula: H3-N
Molecular Weight: 17.03
Color/Form: Colorless gas [Note Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Easily liquefied under pressure].
Odor: Sharp, cloying, repellent ... Pungent, suffocating odor ... Sharp, intensely irritating odor Very pungent odor, characteristic of drying urine
Boiling Point: -33.35 DEG C
Melting Point: -77.7 DEG C
Corrosivity: CORROSIVE, ALKALINE GAS Liquid ammonia will attack some forms of plastics, rubber, and coatings.
Critical Temperature & Pressure: CRITICAL TEMP: 132.4 DEG C; CRITICAL PRESSURE: 111.5 ATM
Density/Specific Gravity: 0.7710 G/L @ 760 MM HG (GAS)
Dissociation Constants: pKa = 9.25 @ 25 deg C
Heat of Combustion: -7992 Btu/lb= -4440 cal/g= -185.9x10+5 J/kg
Heat of Vaporization: 5.581 KCAL/MOLE
pH: pH of 1.0N aqueous solution 11.6; 0.1N aqueous solution 11.1; 0.01N aqueous solution 10.6.
Solubilities: 47% IN WATER AT 0 DEG C 38% IN WATER AT 15 DEG C 34% IN WATER @ 20 DEG C 31% IN WATER @ 25 DEG C 28% IN WATER @ 30 DEG C 18% IN WATER AT 50 DEG C 15% IN 95% ALCOHOL AT 20 DEG C 11% IN ALCOHOL AT 30 DEG C 20% IN ABSOLUTE ETHANOL AT 0 DEG C 10% IN ABSOLUTE ETHANOL AT 25 DEG C 16% IN METHANOL AT 25 DEG C SOL IN CHLOROFORM & ETHER 531,000 mg/l in water at 20 deg C; 895,000 mg/l in water at 0 deg C; 444,000 mg/l in water at 28 deg C water solubility = 482,000 mg/l @ 25 deg C Soluble in water forming alkaline solutions; soluble in oxygenated solvents.
Spectral Properties: INDEX OF REFRACTION: 0.817 @ -79 DEG C/D; 1.325 @ 16.5 DEG C/D
Surface Tension: 23.4 dynes/cm at 11.1 deg C; 18.1 dynes/cm at 34.1 deg C
Vapor Density: 0.59 (Air= 1)
Vapor Pressure: vapor pressure = 7,510 mm Hg @ 25 deg C (from experimentally derived coefficients)
Viscosity: 0.475, 0.317, 0.276 & 0.255 CENTIPOISE AT -69, -50, -40 & -33.5 DEG C, RESPECTIVELY
Other Chemical/Physical Properties: DENSITY OF LIQ NH3: 0.6818 AT -33.35 DEG C, 1 ATM; 0.6585 AT -15 DEG C, 2.332 ATM; 0.6386 AT 0 DEG C, 4.238 ATM; 0.6175 AT 15 DEG C, 7.188 ATM; 0.5875 AT 35 DEG C, 13.321 ATM VAPOR PRESSURE: 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 & 60 ATM AT -18.7, 4.7, 25.7, 50.1, 78.9 & 98.3 DEG C, RESPECTIVELY Liquified by compression Specific gravity 0.817 at 79 deg C Specific gravity at -33.4 deg C (liquid) 0.682 Dipole moment, gas: 4.9x10-30 C m; 1.47 D HEAT CAPACITY 8.38 CAL/MOL/DEG AT 25 DEG C 1 mg/cu m= 1.414 ppm; 1 ppm= 0.707 mg/cu m AQUEOUS AMMONIA: pKb 4.767, Kb 1.710X10-5 at 20 deg C; pKb 4.751, Kb 1.774X10-5 at 25 deg C; pKb 4.740, Kb 1.820X10-5 at 30 deg C Ionization potential= 10.5 eV vapor pressure = 1 MM, 10 MM & 40 MM HG AT -109.1, -91.9 & -79.2 DEG C, RESPECTIVELY, (SOLID); 100 MM & 400 MM AT -68.4 & -45.4 DEG C (LIQUID) Density/Specific gravity: Density of aqueous solutions @ 20 deg C/4 deg C: 0.9939 (1%), 0.9811 (4%), 0.9651 (8%), 0.9362 (16%), 0.9229 (20%), 0.9101 (24%), 0.8980 (28%) Lighter than air; easily liquified by pressure Mixtures of ammonia and air will explode when ignited under favorable conditions: Angew. Chem 43: 302 (1930), but ammonia is generally regarded as nonflammable. Freezing point of aqueous solutions, deg C: -2.9 (4%), -8.1 (8%), -23.1 (16%), -34.9 (20%), -44.5 (24%), -69.2 (28%) One liter of the gas weighs 0.7714 g Vapor pressure (kPa) = 152, 429, 1003, 2033, 3709, 6253, and 9963 at -25, 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 deg C, respectively Henry's Law constant = 1.61X10-5 atm cu-m/mole at 25 deg C
Chemical Safety & Handling:
Hazards Summary: The major hazards encountered in the use and handling of ammonia stem from its toxicologic properties and reactivity. Exposure to this colorless gas (liquid, if compressed or in aqueous solution) may occur from its use as a fertilizer, chemical intermediate, alkalizer, metal treating/extraction agent, and common household cleaner. Ammonia is hazardous by all routes (ie, dermal, ingestion, inhalation), with the liquid capable of burning the skin, causing permanent eye damage, or corroding the digestive tract upon contact; and the gas capable of causing severe eye damage, pulmonary edema, and even death from spasm, inflammation, and edema of the larynx. OSHA has established an ammonia Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 ppm as an 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA). The ACGIH recommends an 8-hr TLV-TWA of 25 ppm. Ammonia levels should be controlled through process enclosure and the use of local exhaust and dilution ventilation, as necessary. While its offensive odor may serve as a warning, to assure against ammonia exposure, workers should wear chemical protective clothing composed of butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile rubber, or polyvinyl chloride (not Viton), gloves, face protection, and, in emergency situations, a self-contained breathing apparatus. Facilities for quick-drenching the body, as well as eye-wash fountains, should be immediately at hand for the worker. Clothing that becomes wet with liquid ammonia should be placed in closed containers until it can be discarded. While this substance does not burn or ignite readily (autoignition temp: 1204 deg F), containers of ammonia may explode in the heat of a fire. For small fires involving ammonia, extinguish with dry chemical or CO2, and for large fires, use water spray, fog, or foam, taking care to prevent fire control or dilution water from causing pollution. More hazardous than its fire potential is ammonia's reactivity with halogens, interhalogens, and oxidizers. These reactions may be violent and/or may form explosive products. Ammonia should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated location, away from sources of ignition, and separate from other chemicals, particularly oxidizing gases (chlorine, bromine, and iodine) and acids. Aqueous ammonia is commonly containerized in steel drums. Anhydrous ammonia is stored and shipped (prohibited in passenger planes) in pressurized containers, fitted with pressure-relief safety devices, and bearing the label, "Nonflammable Compressed Gas". For small spills of ammonia, isolate 80 feet in all directions from the spill, ventilate the area, and allow vapor or gas to disperse. For large spills, evacuate the area for 160 feet in all directions, and dike to contain the spill for later recovery or disposal and to prevent runoff from causing pollution. Stay upwind and wear positive-pressure breathing apparatus and full protective clothing, as necessary.
DOT Emergency Guidelines: /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Health: TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control may cause pollution. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Fire or Explosion: Some may burn, but none ignite readily. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Some of these materials may react violently with water. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release toxic and/or corrosive gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number ... . As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Evacuation: ... Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Fire: Small fires: Dry chemical or CO2. Large fires: Water spray, fog or regular foam. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers. Damaged cylinders should be handled only by specialists. Fire involving tanks: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Do not direct water at source of leak or safety devices; icing may occur. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ Spill or Leak: Fully encapsulating, vapor protective clothing should be worn for spills and leaks with no fire. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. If possible, turn leaking containers so that gas escapes rather than liquid. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Do not direct water at spill or source of leak. Use water spray to reduce vapors or divert vapor cloud drift. Avoid allowing water runoff to contact spilled material. Isolate area until gas has dispersed. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 125: GASES - CORROSIVE/ First Aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with liquefied gas, thaw frosted parts with lukewarm water. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. ... Keep victim warm and quiet. Keep victim under observation. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. / Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Ammonia solution, with more than 50 % ammonia; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Health: TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Fire or Explosion: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number ... . As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate enclosed areas. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Evacuation: ... Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Fire: Small fires: Dry chemical, CO2 or water spray. Large fires: Dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam or water spray. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Dike fire control water for later disposal; do not scatter the material. Fire involving tanks or car/trailer loads: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Do not get water inside containers. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks engulfed in fire. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Spill or Leak: ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames in immediate area). Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE CONTAINERS. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ /GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ First Aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. /Ammonia, solution, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia/ Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances: Small Spills (from a small package or small leak from a large package): First, ISOLATE in all Directions 30 meters (100 feet); then, PROTECT persons Downwind during DAY 0.1 kilometers (0.1 miles) and NIGHT 0.1 kilometers (0.1 miles). LARGE SPILLS (from a large package or from many small packages): First, ISOLATE in all Directions 60 meters (200 feet); then, PROTECT persons Downwind during DAY 0.6 kilometers (0.4 miles) and NIGHT 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles). /Ammonia solution, with more than 50% ammonia; Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, anhydrous, liquefied; Anhydrous ammonia; Anhydrous ammonia, liquefied/ For more specific material safety information for Ammonia, please consult the Anhydrous Ammonia MSDS Information above. Odor Threshold: WATER: 1.5 MG/L; AIR: 5.2 UL/L; ODOR SAFETY CLASS C; C= LESS THAN 50% OF DISTRACTED PERSONS PERCEIVE WARNING OF TLV. Odor recognition of pure ammonia in air is 4.68x10+1 ppm. Sharp, cloying, repellent; low threshold = 0.0266 mg/cu m; high threshold = 39.60 mg/cu m; irritating concn = 72.00 mg/cu m. Low threshold= 0.0266 mg/cu m; High threshold= 39.6 mg/cu m; Irritating concentration= 72 mg/cu m.
Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations: The vapor even in low concn is extremely irritating to skin, eyes and respiratory passages. Caution: Potential symptoms of overexposure are eye, nose and throat irritation; dyspnea, bronchospasm and chest pain; pulmonary edema; pink frothy sputum; skin burns, vesiculation. Strong irritant to eyes, skin, respiratory tract. Pungent odor. Liquid produces severe burns. Inhalation of high concn causes violent coughing, severe lung irritation, and pulmonary edema. Death can result if rapid escape is not possible. Swallowing liquid is corrosive to mouth, throat, stomach. Not a systemic poison.
NFPA Hazard Classification: Health: 3. 3= Materials that, on short exposure, could cause serious temporary or residual injury, including those requiring protection from all bodily contact. Fire fighters may enter the area only if they are protected from all contact with the material. Full protective clothing, including self-contained breathing apparatus, coat, pants, gloves, boots, and bands around legs, arms, and waist, should be provided. No skin surface should be exposed. Flammability: 1. 1= This degree includes materials that must be preheated before ignition will occur, such as Class IIIB combustible liquids and solids and semi-solids whose flash point exceeds 200 deg F (93.4 deg C), as well as most ordinary combustible materials. Water may cause frothing if it sinks below the surface of the burning liquid and turns to steam. However, a water fog that is gently applied to the surface of the liquid will cause frothing that will extinguish the fire. Reactivity: 0. 0= This degree includes materials that are normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and that do not react with water. Normal fire fighting procedures may be used.
Flammable Limits: LOWER 16%; UPPER 25%.
Autoignition Temperature: 1204 DEG F (651 DEG C)
Fire Fighting Procedures: DRY CHEM OR CARBON DIOXIDE ARE RECOMMENDED EXTINGUISHING MEDIA. STOP FLOW OF GAS BEFORE EXTINGUISHING FIRE. USE WATER SPRAY TO KEEP FIRE-EXPOSED CONTAINERS COOL. EXTINGUISH FIRE USING AGENT SUITABLE FOR SURROUNDING FIRE. Combustible. Wear goggles, self-contained breathing apparatus, and rubber over clothing (including gloves). Stop flow of gas, or liquid if possible. Cool exposed containers and protect men effecting shutoff with water. Let fire burn. If material involved in fire: Extinguish fire using agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. (Material itself does not burn or burns with difficulty.) Cool all affected containers with flooding quantities of water. Apply water from as far a distance as possible. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Solid streams of water may spread fire. Do not use water on material itself. Do not apply water to point of leak in tank car or container.
Firefighting Hazards: Presence of oil or other combustible materials will increase the fire hazard. HORIZONTAL FLAME PROPAGATION.
Explosive Limits & Potential: CRITICAL TEMP OF 133 DEG C IS EASILY EXCEEDED IN FIRES SO THAT CONTAINERS OF LIQUEFIED AMMONIA MAY EXPLODE UNLESS THEIR RUPTURE STRENGTH IS SAFELY IN EXCESS OF 112 ATM.
Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities: Air and hydrocarbons: Explosion limits have been estimated for mixtures containing C1-C3 hydrocarbons. Boron halides: The boron halides react violently with ammonia. With calcium: At ambient temp, ammonia gas reacts exothermally with calcium, but if warmed the latter becomes incandescent. The metal dissolves unchanged in liquid ammonia, but if the latter evaporates, the finely divided metal is pyrophoric. With 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene: During the preparation of 2,4-dinitroaniline by a well-established procedure involving heating the reactants in a direct-fired autoclave (170 deg C and 40 bar were typical conditions), a sudden incr in temp and pressure preceded a violent explosion. With chloroformamidinium nitrate: It is powerfully explosive, and also an oxidant which reacts violently with ammonia or amines ... With 2-chloronitrobenzene: During the large-scale preparation of 2-nitroaniline at 160-180 deg C/30-40 bar in a jacketed autoclave, several concurrent processing abnormalities (excess chloro compound, too little ammonia solution, failure to apply cooling or to vent the autoclave and non-failure of a disk-rupture) led to a runaway reaction and pressure-explosion of the vessel. Chlorine azide: It gives an explosive yellow liquid with liquid ammonia. With 1,2-dichloroethane: Liquid ammonia and the solvent may explode when mixed. (It is possible this was a liquefied gas (physical) explosion, rather than an exothermic chemical reaction). With magnesium perchlorate: Intensive drying of ammonia gas by passing it over the desiccant in a steel drying tube led to an exotherm, followed by a violent explosion. (An amine derivative may have been formed). With heavy metals: Ammonia is capable of reacting with some heavy metal compounds (silver, gold, mercury) to produce materials, some of uncertain constitution, which may explode violently when dry. Action of ammonia or ammonium salts on gold (III) chloride, oxide or other salts under a wide variety of conditions gives explosive or "fulminating" gold. Of uncertain composition but containing Au-N bonds, this is a heat-, friction- and impact-sensitive explosive when dry, similar to the related mercury and silver compounds. With halogens or interhalogens: Ammonia either reacts violently, or produces explosive products, with all four halogens and some of the interhalogens. With iodine and potassium: During the reductive cleavage of cyclopolyenes with potassium in liquid ammonia, the intermediate anionic species are quenched with iodine-pentane mixtures. The possibility of formation of the highly explosive nitrogen triiodide and the need for precautions are stressed. With nitrogen trichloride: Contact above 0 deg C of excess chlorine or a chlorinating agent with aqueous ammonia, ammonium salts ... produces the endothermic ... and explosive nitrogen trichloride as a water-insoluble yellow oil. With potassium chlorate: High concentrations of ammonia in air react so vigorously with potassium chlorate as to be dangerous. With nitryl chloride: Interaction of the chloride with ammonia ... is very violent, even at -75 deg C ... With chromyl chloride: Contact with ammonia causes incandescence. With chromium trioxide: Gaseous ammonia leads to incandescence, and the aqueous solution is oxidized very exothermically. With trioxygen difluoride: ... Solid ammonia ... reacts with ignition and/or mild explosion. With selenium difluoride dioxide: Interaction is violent and many of the products and derivatives are both shock- and heat-sensitive explosives. These include the ammonium, potassium silver and thallium salts of the "triselenimidate" ion ... With nitric acid: A jet of ammonia will ignite in nitric acid vapor. Hydrogen peroxide: Ammonia dissolved in 99.6% peroxide gave an unstable solution which exploded violently. With nitrogen oxide: Violent explosions which occurred at -100 to -180 deg C in ammonia synthesis gas units were traced to the formation of explosive addition products between dienes and oxides of nitrogen, produced from interaction of nitrogen oxide and oxygen. With dinitrogen tetraoxide: Liquid ammonia reacts explosively with the solid tetraoxide at -80 deg C, while aqueous ammonia reacts vigorously with the gas at ambient temperature. With oxygen and platinum: In school demonstrations of oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid over platinum catalysts, substitution of oxygen for air causes fairly vigorous explosions to occur. With silver chloride: Exposure of ammoniacal silver chloride solutions to air or heat produces a black crystalline deposit of "fulmination silver", mainly silver nitrate, with disilver imide and silver amide also present. Attention is drawn to the potential explosion hazard in a method of recovering silver from the chloride by passing an ammoniacal solution of the chloride through an ion exchange column to separate the Ag(NH3)+ ion, prior to elution as the nitrate. It is essential to avoid letting the ammoniacal solution stand for several hours, either alone or on the column. With thiocarbonyl azide thiocyanate: The unstable (endothermic) compound reacts explosively with ammonia gas, and violently with concentrated hydrazine solutions. With sulfinyl chloride: Addition of a solution of 4-nitrobenzoyl chloride (1 g) in a large excess (10 mL) of sulfinyl chloride to ice-cold concentrated ammonia solution caused a violent explosion. This may certainly be attributed to the instantaneous hydrolysis of the excess sulfinyl chloride by the aqueous ammonia with production of several of unneutralized acid gases in a test tube. With thiotrithiazyl chloride: The dry chloride, which explodes on heating in air, will rapidly absorb ammonia gas and then explode. The structure of the cation is now known to be a seven membered ring with only two adjacent sulfur atoms. Thiotrithiazyl salts other than the chloride are also explosive. With tetramethylammonium amide: During the preparation, the liquid ammonia used as solvent must be removed completely at -45 deg C. The compound decomp explosively at ambient temp in presence of ammonia. With tellurium tetrachloride: Interaction with liquid ammonia at -15 deg C forms tellurium nitride which explodes at 200 deg C. With tellurium tetrabromide: Intraction gives a mixture of tritellurium tetranitride and tellurium bromide nitride, which explodes on heating. With stibine: A heated mixture explodes. With silver (I) oxide: The clear solution, obtained by centrifuging a solution of the oxide in aqueous ammonia which had been treated with silver nitrate until precipitation started, exploded on two occasions after 10-14 days storage in closed bottles in the dark. This was ascribed to slow precipitation of amorphous disilver imide, which is very explosive even when wet. When silver oxide is dissolved in ammonia solution, an extremely explosive precipitate (probably Ag3N4) will separate. The explosive behavior is completely inhibited by presence of colloids or ammonium salts (acetate, carbonate, citrate or oxalate). With dichlorine oxide: The heat sensitivity /of dichlorine oxide/ ... may explain the explosions which occur on contact of many readily oxidizable materials with this powerful oxidant. Such materials include ammonia. ... Mixtures with hydrogen detonate on ignition. With mercury: A mercury manometer used with ammonia became blocked by deposition of a grey-brown solid, which exploded during attempts to remove it mechanically or on heating. The solid appeared to be a dehydration product of Millon's base and was freely soluble in sodium thiosulfate solution. This method of cleaning is probably safer than others, but the use of mercury manometers with ammonia should be avoided as intrinsically unsafe. Although pure dry ammonia and mercury do not react even under pressure at 340 kbar and 200 deg C, the presence of traces of water leads to the formation of an explosive compound, which may explode during depressurization of the system. Explosions in mercury-ammonia systems had been reported previously. With silver nitrate: A bottle containing Gomari tissue staining solution (ammoniacal silver nitrate), prepared 2 weeks previously exploded when disturbed. The solution must be prepared freshly each day, and discarded immediately after use with appropriate precautions. A large quantity of ammoniacal silver nitrate solution exploded violently when disturbed by removing a glass rod. However, it has now been shown that neither the solid precipitated during addition of ammonia to the nitrate, nor the redissolved complex, is sensitive to initiation by very severe shocks. This was so for fresh or aged solutions. The solids produced by total evaporation at 95 deg C or higher would explode only at above 100 kgcm shock force. A pH value above 12.9 is essential for separation of explosive precipitates, and this cannot be attained by addition of ammonia alone. With ethylene oxide: Accidental contamination by aqueous ammonia of an ethylene oxide feed tank containing 22 t caused violent polymerization which ruptured the tank and led to a devastating vapor cloud explosion. The close similarity to other base-catalyzed incidents was stressed. Strong oxidizers, acids, halogens, salts of silver and zinc [Note: corrosive to copper and galvanized surfaces]. With picric acid: Forms explosive salts. AMMONIA /REACTS/ WITH ACETALDEHYDE, ACROLEIN, BORON BORON TRIIODIDE, BROMINE, BROMINE PENTAFLUORIDE, CHLORIC ACID, CHLORINE MONOXIDE, CHLORINE TRIFLUORIDE, CHLORITES, CHLOROSILANE, CHROMIC ANHYDRIDE, ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, FLUORINE, GOLD, HEXACHLOROMELAMINE, HYDRAZINE AND ALKALI METALS, HYDROGEN BROMIDE, HYPOCHLOROUS ACID, MAGNESIUM PERCHLORATE, NITROGEN PEROXIDE, NITROGEN TRIFLUORIDE, OXYGEN DIFLUORIDE, PHOSPHORUS TRIOXIDE, POTASSIUM AND ARSINE, POTASSIUM AND PHOSPHINE, POTASSIUM AND SODIUM NITRITE, POTASSIUM FERRICYANIDE, POTASSIUM MERCURICYANIDE. SODIUM AND CARBON MONOXIDE, STIBINE, SULFUR, SULFUR DICHLORIDE, TELLURIUM HYDROPENTACHLORIDE AND TRICHLOROMELAMINE. SEVERE FIRE HAZARD WHEN MIXED WITH BROMINE PENTAFLUORIDE, CHLOROSILANE, CHROMYL CHLORIDE & FLUORINE. AMMONIA GAS BURNS IN ATMOSPHERE OF NITRIC ACID. POTASSIUM & PHOSPHINE REACT IN LIQ AMMONIA TO FORM POTASSIUM DIHYDROPHOSPHIDE, A SPONTANEOUSLY FLAMMABLE SOLID. MAGNESIUM PERCHLORATE WAS CONTAINED IN SMALL STEEL REFRIGERATION-TYPE DRYING TUBE & AMMONIA WAS PASSED THROUGH IT (AFTER SYSTEM WAS EVACUATED) IN SMALL INCREMENTS IN ATTEMPT TO FURTHER DESICCATE IT. IT WAS NOTED THAT OUTSIDE OF ... TUBE WAS WARM TO TOUCH. SHORTLY ... TUBE EXPLODED VIOLENTLY. Mixtures of ammonia and air will explode when ignited under favorable conditions ... but ammonia is generally regarded as nonflammable.
Other Hazardous Reaction: Poisonous, visible vapor cloud is produced /from contact with water/. For more specific material safety information for Ammonia, please consult the Anhydrous Ammonia MSDS Information above. Prior History of Accidents: An explosion at the Dixie Cold Storage Company in Shreveport, LA occurred as two firemen attempted to isolate an anhydrous ammonia leak in a cold storage warehouse. The men were badly burned when their protective clothing ignited in the ensuing fire, and one died within 36 hr. ... Several days prior to the accident, employees noted a smell of ammonia and located a leak in the refrigeration system. Steps were taken to isolate the system and repair a leaky valve at the evaporator unit. As they were working, ammonia continued to accumulate in the room. The crew tried to absorb the gas using a 50 lb cylinder of carbon dioxide. This has been effective for small amounts of ammonia but was not recommended for large leaks. The carbon dioxide contacted moist room air and condensed. Ammonia also condensed, greatly reducing visibility. The room became untenable for anyone not wearing full protective equipment and workers were using only industrial type filter masks or chemical respirators. They left the room and called the fire department to borrow full protective gear. When firemen arrived, they were told that the leak had been isolated, that it had not been prolonged, and that only residual gas remained. Water was sprayed in the room to absorb the ammonia, and a fan was set up. After considering various alternatives, the firefighters decided to use an electric fork lift truck to replace the valve located 17 ft above the floor. The floor was very slippery, and the truck slid into an interior wall and the concrete curb at its base. Explosion occurred immediately. One firefighter was unable to escape or remove his burning suit. /The situation indicated that/ the warehouse workers' failure to reduce the possibility of hazardous anhydrous ammonia levels, the firefighters' lack of awareness of hazardous gas levels, and ignition of the gas are major factors in loss of life in this accident.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 300 ppm
Protective Equipment & Clothing: EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH & REQUIRED TO USE IMPERVIOUS CLOTHING, GLOVES, FACE SHIELD (8-INCH MIN), & OTHER APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING NECESSARY TO PREVENT ... SKIN CONTACT ... /THEY/ SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH & REQUIRED TO USE SPLASH-PROOF SAFETY GOGGLES ... Ammonia: Chemical protective clothing composed of butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile rubber, and polyvinyl chloride may be used since data suggest that breakthrough times are approximately an hour or more. Vitron is not recommended for use since data (usually from immersion tests) suggest that breakthrough times are less than one hour. Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact. Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact. Eyewash fountains should be provided in areas where there is any possibility that workers could be exposed to the substance; this is irrespective of the recommendation involving the wearing of eye protection. />10%/ Facilities for quickly drenching the body should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use where there is a possibility of exposure. [Note: It is intended that these facilities provide a sufficient quantity or flow of water to quickly remove the substance from any body areas likely to be exposed. The actual determination of what constitutes an adequate quick drench facility depends on the specific circumstances. In certain instances, a deluge shower should be readily available, whereas in others, the availability of water from a sink or hose could be considered adequate.] Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 250 ppm. Respirator Class(es): Any chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern. May require eye protection. Any supplied-air respirator. May require eye protection. Recommendations for respirator selection. Max concn for use: 300 ppm. Respirator Class(es): Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous flow mode. May require eye protection. Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern. May require eye protection. Any chemical cartridge respirator with a full facepiece and cartridge(s) providing protection against the compound of concern. Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern. Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece. Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece. Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Emergency or planned entry into unknown concn or IDLH conditions: Respirator Class(es): Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressure-demand or other positive pressure mode. Recommendations for respirator selection. Condition: Escape from suddenly occurring respiratory hazards: Respirator Class(es): Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern. Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus. MAC 100 ppm. Eye protection, respiratory apparatus, and cotton clothing. Be sure equipment is not aluminum, copper, lead, or tin. Protective clothing over a cotton layer is recommended.
Preventive Measures: PROCESS ENCLOSURE; LOCAL EXHAUST VENTILATION & GENERAL DILUTION VENTILATION. ... WHERE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF EXPOSURE OF EMPLOYEE'S BODY ... FACILITIES FOR QUICK DRENCHING OF BODY SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN IMMEDIATE WORK AREA ... CLOTHING WET WITH LIQ ANHYD AMMONIA ... SHOULD BE PLACED IN CLOSED CONTAINERS ... UNTIL IT CAN BE DISCARDED ... AN EYE WASH FOUNTAIN SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN IMMEDIATE WORK AREA ... Each vehicle transporting ammonia in bulk except farm applicator vehicles shall carry a container of at least 5 gal of water and shall be equipped with a full face mask. Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical. /Soln/liquid/ SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place. Water carried on farm vehicles should be protected from freezing by an external source of heat. Antifreeze chemicals must not be used. A means of applying the water to the skin and/or eyes in large quantities must be available. The container should have an opening large enough for easy access, should be covered to prevent entry of dirt. ... A plastic squeeze bottle containing at least 8 ounces of water should be carried by each individual to allow immediate irrigation of the eyes. /SRP: Workers should know this is for eye safety, not drinking./ This may provide a few additional seconds in which to reach the larger container before irreversible eye damage results. Use care in handling strong ammonia solution because of caustic nature of solution & irritating properties of its vapor. Cool container well before opening, & cover closure with a cloth or similar material while opening. ... GREATEST HAZARD OF WORKING WITH ALKALINE MATERIALS IS FROM SPLASH OR SPLATTER OF PARTICLES OR SOLN OF STRONGER ALKALIES ENTERING EYES OF WORKMEN. THIS CAN BE PREVENTED BY USE OF EYE PROTECTION THAT IS EFFECTIVE AT ALL ANGLES. PROPER PROVISIONS SHOULD ... BE AVAIL FOR IMMEDIATE & PROLONGED WASHING WITH WATER SHOULD ... EYE CONTAMINATION OCCUR. /AMMONIA GAS/ SRP: Contaminated protective clothing should be segregated in such a manner so that there is no direct personal contact by personnel who handle, dispose, or clean the clothing. Quality assurance to ascertain the completeness of the cleaning procedures should be implemented before the decontaminated protective clothing is returned for reuse by the workers. The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated. /Solution/ Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced. /Solution/ If material not involved in fire: Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Attempt to stop leak if without undue personnel hazard. Use water spray to knock-down vapors. Personnel protection: Avoid breathing vapors. Keep upwind. ... Avoid bodily contact with the material. ... Do not handle broken packages unless wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with copious amounts of water or soap and water. If contact with the material anticipated, wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. Evacuation: If material leaking (not on fire) consider evacuation from down wind area based on amount of material spilled, location and weather conditions.
Shipment Methods and Regulations: No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./ The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials. The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article.
Storage Conditions: Separate from other chemicals, particularly oxidizing materials, acids, and halogens. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. ... MAY BE STORED UNDER HIGH PRESSURE, REFRIGERATED AT LOW PRESSURE, OR AS AQUEOUS AMMONIA IN LOW PRESSURE TANKS. Storage temperature: Ambient for pressurized ammonia: low temperature for ammonia at atmospheric pressure. Permanent storage containers shall be located at least 50 feet from a dug well or other sources of potable water supply, unless the container is a part of a water-treatment installation.
Cleanup Methods: 1) VENTILATE AREA OF SPILL OR LEAK TO DISPERSE GAS. 2) IF IN GASEOUS FORM, STOP FLOW OF GAS. IF SOURCE OF LEAK IS A CYLINDER & LEAK CANNOT BE STOPPED IN PLACE, REMOVE LEAKING CYLINDER TO SAFE PLACE IN OPEN AIR & REPAIR LEAK OR ALLOW CYLINDER TO EMPTY. 3) IF IN LIQ FORM, ALLOW TO VAPORIZE. Environmental considerations -- air spill: Apply water spray or mist to knock down vapors. Vapor knockdown water is corrosive or toxic and should be diked for containment. Environmental considerations -- water spill: Neutralize with dilute acid. use mechanical dredges or lifts to remove immobilized masses of pollutants and precipitates. Environmental considerations -- land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or solid material. /SRP: If time permits, pits, ponds, lagoons, soak holes, or holding areas should be sealed with an impermeable flexible membrane liner./ Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags, foamed polyurethane, or foamed concrete. Absorb bulk liquid with fly ash or cement powder. Neutralize with vinegar or other dilute acid.
Disposal Methods: SRP: At the time of review, criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices. Dilute with water, neutralize with hydrogen chloride and discharge to sewer. Recovery is an option to disposal which should be considered for paper manufacture, textile treating, fertilizer manufacture, and chemical process wastes. Pour into large tank of water, neutralize, and route to sewage plant ... Contact local sewage authority.
Occupational Exposure Standards:
OSHA Standards: Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr Time Weighted Avg: 50 ppm (35 mg/cu m). Vacated 1989 OSHA PEL STEL 35 ppm (27 mg/cu m) is still enforced in some states.
Threshold Limit Values: 8 hr Time Weighted Avg (TWA): 25 ppm; 15 min Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): 35 ppm.
NIOSH Recommendations: Recommended Exposure Limit: 10 Hr Time-Weighted Avg: 25 ppm (18 mg/cu m). Recommended Exposure Limit: 15 Min Short-Term Exposure Limit: 35 ppm (27 mg/cu m).
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 300 ppm
Other Occupational Permissible Levels: Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPG): ERPG(1) 25 ppm (no more than mild, transient effects) for up to 1 hr exposure; ERPG(2) 200 ppm (without serious, adverse effects) for up to 1 hr exposure; ERPG(3) 1000 ppm (not life threatening) up to 1 hr exposure.
Manufacturing/Use Information:
Major Uses: MFR NITRIC ACID, EXPLOSIVES, SYNTHETIC FIBERS, FERTILIZERS; IN REFRIGERATION & CHEM INDUSTRY PREHARVEST COTTON DEFOLIANT CHEM INT FOR UREA, AMMONIUM NITRATE, AMMONIUM SALTS, ADIPIC ACID FOR NYLON, HEXAMETHYLENEDIAMINE FOR NYLON, ACRYLONITRILE FOR FIBERS & PLASTICS, CAPROLACTAM FOR NYLON, ISOCYANATES FOR PLASTICS; DIRECT APPLICATION FERTILIZER; NUMEROUS MISC APPLICATIONS USED IN MFR OF HYDRAZINE, PESTICIDES & DETERGENTS Ammonia, or dissociated ammonia, is used in such metal treating operations as nitriding, carbo-nitriding, bright annealing, furnace brazing, sintering, sodium hydride descaling, atomic hydrogen welding, and other applications where protective atmospheres are required. Dissociated ammonia is used as a convenient source of hydrogen for the hydrogenation of fats and oils. Through the controlled combustion of dissociated ammonia in air, a source of pure nitrogen is achieved. The petroleum industry utilizes anhydrous ammonia in neutralizing the acid constituents of crude oil and in protecting equipment such as bubble plate towers, heat exchangers, condensers, and storage tanks from corrosion. Ammonia is used in the rubber industry for stabilization of raw latex to prevent coagulation during transportation and storage. Ammonia is used as a catalyst in the phenol-formaldehyde condensation and also in the urea-formaldehyde condensation to make synthetic resin. AMMONIA MAY BE ADDED TO WATER BEFORE (PREAMMONIATION) OR AFTER (POSTAMMONIATION) ADDITION OF CHLORINE. PREAMMONIATION CAN PREVENT FORMATION OF TASTES & ODORS THAT ARE CAUSED BY REACTION OF CHLORINE WITH PHENOLS & OTHER SUBSTANCES. POSTAMMONIATION IS MOST OFTEN USED AMMONIA-CHLORINE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS. USED ... ON GRAPEFRUIT, LEMONS & ORANGES TO CONTROL FUNGAL GROWTH DURING WAREHOUSING. USDA HAS NOW REQUESTED THAT AMMONIA USED AS PRESERVATIVE IN HIGH MOISTURE CORN BE EXEMPTED FROM REQUIREMENT OF A TOLERANCE. MEDICATION (VET) Fertilizers; manufacture of nitric acid, hydrazine hydrate, hydrogen cyanide, urethane, acrylonitrile, and sodium carbonate (by Solvay process); refrigerant, nitriding of steel; condensation catalyst; synthetic fibers; dyeing; neutralizing agent in petroleum industry; latex preservative; explosives; nitrocellulose; urea-formaldehyde; nitroparaffins; melamine; ethylene diamine; sulfite cooking liquors; fuel cells; rocket fuel; yeast nutrient; developing diazo films
Manufacturers: Agrium US Inc., Hq: 4582 South Ulster Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80237 (303) 804-4400; Production site: Borger, TX 79008 Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.,Hq: 7201 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA 18195-1501 (610) 481-4911; Chemicals Group: (800) 345-3148; Industrial Chemicals Division, Production site: East Pace, FL Allied-Signal Inc, Hq: 101 Columbia Road, PO Box 1057, Morristown, NJ 07962-1057 (201) 455-2000; Allied-Signal Engineered Materials: 101 Columbia Road, PO Box 1087, Morristown, NJ 07962-1087 (201) 455-2000; Production site: Hopewell, VA 23680 Borden Chemicals and Plastics Operating Limited Partnership, Hq: Highway 73, Geismar, LA 70734 (504) 673-6121; Production site: Geismar, LA 70734 CF Industries Inc., Hq: 1 Salem Lake Drive, Long Grove, IL 60047 (708) 438-9500; Production site: Donaldsonville, LA 70346 Chevron Products Corporation, Hq: 575 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 894-5469; Production sites: El Segundo, CA 90245; Richmond, CA 94802 Coastal Chem, Inc., Hq: PO Box 1287, Cheyenne, WY 82003 (307) 637-2700; Production site: Cheyenne, WY 82003 Coastal Refining and Marketing, Inc., Hq: 9 Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX 77046 (713) 877-6559; Production site: St. Helens, OR 97051 Cytec Industries, Hq: Five Garret Mountain Plaza West, Paterson, NJ 07424 (201) 357-3100; Process Chemicals, Fine Chemicals, Contract, Production site: Westwego (Avondale), LA 70094 Dakota Gasification Company, Hq: 1600 East Interstate Ave, Bismark, ND 58501-0561 (701) 221-4400; Production site: Beulah, ND 58523 DuPont, Hq: 1007 Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19898 (302) 774-1000; DuPont Chemicals (800) 441-9442; DuPont Specialty Chemicals: DuPont Performance, Specialty and Fine Chemicals, Production site: Beaumont, TX 77704 Farmland Industries, Inc., Hq: 3315 North Oak Trafficway, PO Box 7305, Kansas City, MO 64116 (816) 459-6000; Production sites: Beatrice, NE 68310; Dodge City, KS 67801; Enid, OK 73702; Fort Dodge, IA 50501; Lawrence, KS 66044; Pollock, LA 71467 Green Valley Chemical Corporation, Hq: Route 4, PO Box 86, Creston, IA 50801 (515) 782-7041; Production site: Creston, IA 50801 IMC-Agrico Company, Hq: Old Highway 37, PO Box 2000-1100, Mulberry, FL 33860 (941) 428-2500; Production site: Donaldsonville, LA 70346 IMC Nitrogen Company, Hq: 16675 Highway 20 West, PO Box 229, East Dubuque, IL 61025-0229 (815) 747-3101; Production site: East Dubuque, IL 61025-0229 Koch Nitrogen Company, Hq: 4111 East 37th Street, North Wichita, KS 67220 (316) 828-7259; Production site: Sterlington, LA 71280 LaRoche Industries Inc, Hq: 1100 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 (404) 851-0300; Production site: Cherokee, AL 35616 Mississippi Chemical Corporation, Hq: Highway 49 E, PO Box 388 Yazoo City, MS 39194 (601) 746-4131; Production site: Yazoo City, MS 39194 Monsanto Company, Hq: 800 N Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63167 (314) 694-1000; Crop Protection Unit: 800 N Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63167 (314) 694-1000; Production site: Luling, LA 70070 PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer, L.P., Hq: 6750 Poplar Ave, Suite 600, Memphis, TN 38138-7419; Production sites: Augusta, GA 30903; Clinton, IA 52732; Geismar, LA 70734; La Platte, NE 68005; Memphis, TN 38127 PCS Nitrogen Ohio, L.P., Hq: PO Box 628, Lima, OH 45802 (419) 226-1404; Production site: Lima, OH 45802 J R Simplot Company, Hq: PO Box 912, Pocatello, ID 83204 (208) 233-2700; Minerals and Chemical Division, Production site: Pocatello, ID 83204 Terra Industries Inc., Hq: Terra Centre, 600 South Fourth Street, Sioux City, IA 51101 (712) 277-1340; Production sites: Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054; Woodward, OK 73801 Terra Nitrogen, Limited Partnership, Hq: 5100 E Skelly Drive, Suite 800, PO Box 35507, Tulsa, OK 74153 (918) 660-0050; Production sites: Blytheville, AR 72316; Catoosa (Verdigris), OK 74015 Triad Nitrogen, Inc., Hq: PO Box 1851, Yazoo City, MS 39194 (601) 746-6302; Production site: Donaldsonville, LA 70346 (504) 473-9231 Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corporation, Hq: PO Box 696000, San Antonio, TX 78269-6000 (210) 641-6800; Production site: Dumas, TX 79086 Unocal Corp, Hq: 2141 E Rosecrans Ave, Suite 4000, El Segundo, CA 90245 (301) 726-7600; Production sites: Finley, WA 99336; Kenai, AK 99611 Willard Grain and Feed, Hq: Route 2, Box 41, Celina, TX 75009 (214) 382-2367; Wil-Gro Fertilizer, Inc, Division: PO Box 429 Pryor, OK 74362 (918) 825-3383; Production site: Pryor, OK 74362
Methods of Manufacturing: AMMONIA IS MFR PRIMARILY BY A MODIFIED HABER REDUCTION PROCESS USING ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN & A HYDROGEN SOURCE, FOR EXAMPLE, METHANE, ETHYLENE OR NAPHTHA, AT HIGH TEMP (400 TO 6500 DEG C) & PRESSURES (100 TO 900 ATM) IN PRESENCE OF AN IRON CATALYST. From synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen (from air) obtained by steam reforming or by partial combustion of natural gas (USA) or from the action of steam on hot coke (Haber-Bosch used in South Africa). Manufactured from natural gas
General Manufacturing Information: Fifth highest-volume chemical produced in USA (1991). AMMONIA IN SOLN ... IN VARYING CONCN IS USED IN VARIETY OF PRODUCTS SUCH AS CLEANING AGENTS, LINIMENTS & AROMATIC SPIRITS. AMMONIA SOLN ARE SOMETIMES USED AS FERTILIZERS. ... FRESH HOUSEHOLD AMMONIA RANGES IN CONCN FROM 5 TO 10% NH3, BUT A 54% SOLN IS ALSO AVAIL COMMERCIALLY. Manufactured from water gas (obtained by blowing steam through incandescent coke) as source of hydrogen, and from producer gas (obtained from steam and air through incandescent coke), as source of nitrogen by the Haber-Bosch process.
Formulations/Preparations: Grades: Commercial 99.5%; refrigerant 99.97%. Aqueous soln of ammonia ... is often referred to & labeled as a soln of ammonium hydroxide /although there is little ammonium hydroxide present/. In commerce, ammonia is avail ... in form of aqueous soln of varying concn, or as anhydrous ammonia furnished in liquefied form ... . Ammonia in household use contains 10% ammonia & is ... known as 16 deg ammonia (referring to density in degrees Baume, a concn term). Shipping grades or purity: Commercial, industrial, refrigeration, electronic, and metallurgical grades all have purity greater than 99.5%. Ammonia solution, more than 10% and not more than 35% ammonia. Ammonia solution, more than 35% and not more than 50% ammonia.
Consumption Patterns: Fertilizer, 80%; Polymers, 7%; Exports, 6%; Explosives, 3%; Animal feeds, 2%; Other, 2% (1985) CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ammonia. Direct application fertilizer, 27%; urea, 21%; ammonium phosphates, 14%; nitric acid, 11%; ammonium nitrate, 8%; exports, 6%; ammonium sulfate, 3%; other, 10%. CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ammonia. Demand: July 1987-June 1988: 16.4 million tons; 1988-1989: 17.7 million tons; 1992-1993 /projected/: 18.4 million tons. (Includes exports, but not imports, which totaled 3.2 million tons in 1987-1988.) CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ammonia. Direct application fertilizer, 25%; urea, 25%; ammonium phosphates, 17%; nitric acid, 12%; ammonium nitrate, 8%; acrylonitrile, 3%; ammonium sulfate, 4%; other, 6%. CHEMICAL PROFILE: Ammonia. Demand: (1993) 17.2 million tons; (1994) 17.9 million tons; (1998) /projected/: 20.9 million tons. (Includes exports of 507,000 tons in 1993, but not imports, which totaled 2.84 million tons.)
U. S. Production: (1972) 1.42X10+13 GRAMS (ANHYDROUS) (1975) 1.49X10+13 GRAMS (ANHYDROUS) (1985) 1.47X10+13 g (1986) 1.70X10+4 metric ton (1990) 33.59 billion lb (1991) 34.33 billion lb (1992) 36.59 billion lb (1993) 34.50 billion lb (1994) 34.51 billion lb (1995) 35.60 billion lb
U. S. Imports: (1972) 3.50X10+11 GRAMS (ANHYDROUS) (1975) 7.33X10+11 GRAMS (ANHYDROUS) (1985) 2.27X10+12 g 8.19X10+5 lb (liquid anhydrous) 6.47X10+6 lb (aq)
U. S. Exports: (1972) 6.46X10+11 GRAMS (ANHYDROUS & AQUEOUS) (1975) 2.95X10+11 GRAMS (ANHYDROUS) (1985) 4.54X10+11 g (1987) 1.80X10+3 content ton (aq)
Laboratory Methods:
Analytic Laboratory Methods: AIR SAMPLES /SRP: COLLECTED BY IMPINGER/ ANALYZED BY AMMONIA SPECIFIC ELECTRODE; RANGE: 17-68 MG/CU M. (Air) Sampling and analysis: Second derivatives spectroscopy; min det limit: 1 ppb; Photometry: min full scale: 1,800 ppm; IR spectrometry: detection limit: 0.22 ppm; non despersive IR: detection limit: 250 ppm; detector tubes: UNICO: detection limit: 20 ppm; AUER: detection limit : 5 ppm; DRAGER: detection limit: 5 ppm; impinger, 800 1 air/30 min; VLS: detection limit : 5 ug/cu m/30 min Nessler reagent. The concentration of ammonia in air can be determined with the Matheson Kitagawa Toxic Gas Detector Model 8014KA, which gives accurate, dependable, and reproducible results. Colorimetric: Ambient air containing 14 to 220 ug NH3/cu m (0.02 to 0.3 ppm). Sampled at 1 to 2 l/min for one hour may be analyzed using this method. Ammonia is determined colorimetrically with an azo dye. Precision is + or - 1.6 percent for the analytical method. Nitrite, hydrolyzable amino cmpd, and other N-compounds may interfere. For higher concn, an aliquot of the solution may be analyzed. Colorimetric: The range of concn that can be determined by this method is 20 to 700 ug/cu m (0.025 to 1 ppm) in air with a sampling time of one hour. Ammonia is determined colorimetrically using indophenol. Analyte: ammonium ion; Matrix: air; Procedure: ion chromatography, conductivity detection; Range: 2-110 ug ammonia per sample; Precision: 0.043 range: 2-110 ug ammonia per sample; M417E Ammonia - Selective Electrode Method This method is applicable for the measurement of 0.03-1400 mg nitrogen ammonia/l in potable and surface waters and domestic and industrial wastes. The ammonia-selective electrode uses a hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane to separate the sample solution from an electrode internal solution of ammonium chloride. Ammonia diffuses through the membrane and changes the internal solution pH, which is sensed by a pH electrode. In an inter-laboratory study (12 laboratories) using effluent water samples at 0.04, 0.10, 0.80, 20, 100, and 750 mg/l, mean recovery was 100, 470, 105, 95, 97, and 99% respectively. M417B Nesslerization Method (Direct and Following Distillation) for the Determination of Ammonia Nitrogen. Direct Nesslerization is used for purified drinking waters, natural water, and highly purified wastewater effluents. This colorimetric method is sensitive to 20 ug/l. Interferences such as turbidity, color, and precipitates are corrected through distillation. At ammonia nitrogen concentrations of 200, 800, and 1500 ug/l, relative standard deviation is 38.1, 11.2, and 11.6%, respectively and relative error is 0, 0, and 0.6%, respectively. APHA Method 4500-NH3: Ammonia in Water by Colorimetry; Ammonia in Water by Colorimetry Using an Automated Phenate Method; Colorimetry, water, minimum detection limit fall within 0.02 mg/l. NIOSH Method 6015: Ammonia; Determination of Ammonia by Visible Absorption Spectrophotometry; Spectrophotometry workplace, detection limit of 0.0050 mg/cu-m. AREAL Method IP-9: Reactive Acidic and Basic Gases; Determination of Reactive Acidic and Basic Gases and Particulate Matter in Indoor Air (Annular Denuder Technique); Annular denuder, indoor ambient air, detection limit of 0.25 ug/cu-m.
Sampling Procedures: In air: Detector tubes Model 1055A are used for high concentrations (1-25%) and Model 105SC for low (5-260 ppm) concentration ranges of ammonia. A color stain is produced in the detector tube which varies in length with the concentration of the sample being measured. /Air/ Sampler: gas washing bottle: medium 200 ml water; sampling rate: 0.12 cu ft/min; test concn: 162 ppm; absorption efficiency: 84%. The concentration of ammonia in air can be ... determined by titration. A known volume of the air is passed through two bubblers in series containing a known volume of standardized 0.02 N sulfuric acid, the solution in each bubbles combined quantitatively, and the excess acid titrated with standardized 0.02 N sodium hydroxide, using methyl red indicator.
Special References:
Special Reports: Visek WJ; J Dairy Sci 67 (3): 481-98 (1984). The physical, chem properties of ammonia, its sources & detoxification, its effects in biological systems, its influence upon insulin action & glucose metabolism, & its possible effects on reproduction are discussed. Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonia (Draft) (1984). NIOSH; Criteria Document: Ammonia (1974) DHEW Pub. NIOSH 74-136. USEPA/ECAO; Ammonia (1980) EPA 600/1-77-054. Brands A; HdbK Toxicol 472-503 (1987). Studies on the effects of accidental exposure to asphyxiant gases occurring in occupational settings are reviewed. DHHS/ATSDR; Toxicological Profile for Ammonia (1990) ATSDR/TP-90/03
Synonyms and Identifiers:
Related HSDB Records: 5125 [AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE]
Synonyms: R 717 AM-FOL AMMONIA, ANHYDROUS AMMONIACA (ITALIAN) AMMONIAC (FRENCH) AMMONIA GAS AMMONIAK (GERMAN) AMONIAK (POLISH) Liquid Ammonia NITRO-SIL
Formulations/Preparations: Grades: Commercial 99.5%; refrigerant 99.97%. Aqueous soln of ammonia ... is often referred to & labeled as a soln of ammonium hydroxide /although there is little ammonium hydroxide present/. In commerce, ammonia is avail ... in form of aqueous soln of varying concn, or as anhydrous ammonia furnished in liquefied form ... . Ammonia in household use contains 10% ammonia & is ... known as 16 deg ammonia (referring to density in degrees Baume, a concn term). Shipping grades or purity: Commercial, industrial, refrigeration, electronic, and metallurgical grades all have purity greater than 99.5%. Ammonia solution, more than 10% and not more than 35% ammonia. Ammonia solution, more than 35% and not more than 50% ammonia.
Shipping Name/ Number DOT/UN/NA/IMO: UN 1005; Ammonia, anhydrous UN 3318; Ammonia solution, relative density less than 0.880 at 15 deg C in water, with more than 50% ammonia UN 2672; Ammonia solutions, relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15 deg C in water, with more than 10% but not more than 35% ammonia UN 2073; Ammonia solutions, relative density less than 0.880 at 15 deg C in water, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia IMO 2.3; Ammonia, anhydrous; Ammonia, solution, with more than 35% but not more than 50% ammonia
Standard Transportation Number: 49 042 10; Anhydrous ammonia For more specific material safety information for Ammonia, please consult the Anhydrous Ammonia MSDS Information above. Top of Page Return to Home Page of Home Air Purifier Expert from Ammonia MSDS Information Best Indoor Air Quality Test Kit for Ammonia Testing New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
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