Table of Contents
What safety precautions should be followed when using ammonia?
Goggles, rubber gloves and other chemical resistant protective clothing are necessary when handling anhydrous ammonia. It is recommended that goggles and a face shield or an approved full-face respirator be used to protect the eyes and face from a direct blast of ammonia.
How can you prevent exposure to ammonia?
To reduce the effects from exposure to ammonia, it is important to wash eyes and skin as quickly as possible with large amounts of water.
How do you handle an ammonia spill?
Increase ventilation to area or move leaking container to a well-ventilated and secure area. Methods for Containment and Clean-up: Knock down gas with fog or fine water spray. Do not direct water at spill or source. If possible, turn leaking container so that gas escapes rather than liquefied gas.
Should you wear a mask when using ammonia?
Ammonia has a distinct and irritating odor when it is released, so your nose is usually the first warning of exposure. Wear the appropriate PPE for the job task and the strength of the ammonia you use. Wear an air-supplying respirator if you will be entering an area that has high ammonia concentrations.
What are the hazards of working with ammonia?
It is a COMPRESSED GAS and a confined space explosion and toxicity hazard. Ammonia gas is a CORROSIVE GAS and may be fatal if inhaled. Ammonia gas may cause lung injury, and the liquefied gas can cause frostbite and corrosive injury to eyes and skin. Ammonia gas is a severe respiratory tract irritant.
What are the first aid responses to ammonia gas exposure?
There is no antidote for ammonia poisoning. First aid consists of decontamination, maintaining open airway, and respiration support followed by rapid transport to an advanced medical care facility. After decontamination no special protective clothing is required for those caring for the injured.
What hazards does ammonia have?
Ammonia gas is a CORROSIVE GAS and may be fatal if inhaled. Ammonia gas may cause lung injury, and the liquefied gas can cause frostbite and corrosive injury to eyes and skin. Ammonia gas is a severe respiratory tract irritant. Most people can detect it by smell at 0.6 to 53 ppm.
What do we use ammonia for?
How is ammonia used? About 80\% of the ammonia produced by industry is used in agriculture as fertilizer. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, for purification of water supplies, and in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, textiles, pesticides, dyes and other chemicals.
How does ammonia harm the environment?
Ammonia is one of the main sources of nitrogen pollution, alongside nitrogen oxides. Ammonia pollution also effects species composition through soil acidification, direct toxic damage to leaves and by altering the susceptibility of plants to frost, drought and pathogens.
How does ammonia enter the environment?
Ammonia can enter the aquatic environment via direct means such as municipal effluent discharges and the excretion of nitrogenous wastes from animals, and indirect means such as nitrogen fixation, air deposition, and runoff from agricultural lands.
What are the effects of exposure of ammonia on the environment and on the humans in low concentration and in high concentration?
Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.