Ammonia is commonly used in household cleaners but also has many industrial uses including fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and refrigeration. It is a colorless gas with a strong odor, molecular weight of 17.0, and boiling point of -28°F. Exposure to ammonia can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or eye contact and can cause burns, respiratory issues, and blindness. Proper precautions like PPE, ventilation, and training are needed when handling ammonia to prevent health hazards.

1. Sarah Dantin
March 31, 2015
Mr. Herrock
Industrial Hygiene lab – sec 61308
Ammonia in the Workplace
Ammonia is a chemical that many people are familiar with, it can easily be
found in many households sitting underneath the kitchen sink. However ammonia
has many more uses than just household cleaning products. Many of these uses
require large amounts of intense supervision and knowledge on the product; some
products include fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, synthetic resins, paper products,
photographic film, and refrigeration systems. Consumers who use these products
might not be able to obviously tell that there is ammonia used in the production
process, but for people who are involved in the process it is something for high
concern. Individuals who come into contact with ammonia need to be familiar with
the chemical properties and the hazards that come along with handling this
chemical.
Ammonia’s molecular weight is 17.0, boiling point -28 degrees Fahrenheit,
freezing point -108 degrees Fahrenheit, and a vapor pressure of 8.5 atm. Ammonia
(NH3) has multiple names such as anhydrous ammonia and aqua/aqueous
ammonia. These names are derived from the different forms that ammonia can be
found in. Anhydrous ammonia is the pure condensed liquid and the gaseous form of
ammonia. Aque/aqueous ammonia is for the solution of ammonia gas dissolved in
water. Other important factors to remember about ammonia are that it is a
colorless gas at room temperature with a very strong pungent odor. Due to its high
usages many test have been done on the different levels at which ammonia will have
an effect. The odor threshold for ammonia is 1-5 ppm and OSHA’s PEL is 50 ppm
TWA. This indicates that ammonia will be detected by smell long before is reaches a
critical exposure level, but that does not mean it should be take lightly, the levels can
increase rapidly in the air and odor does not tell you at what concentration the
chemical is present.
Ammonia is also a highly flammable and reactive compound. Under normal
conditions ammonia is a stable gas and causes no risk of explosion, however under
specific conditions there is means for concern. If the concentration is between 16%-
25% of gaseous volume in the air and an ignition source is introduced then a large
explosion can occur. Also factors that can have an affect are high temperatures,
open flames, and high-energy sources. There are also materials that should be
avoided when using ammonia; these include oxidizing agents, strong acids,
halogens, and heavy metals. The explosion that can occur if these conditions are
meet can produce toxic by-products that contain oxides of nitrogen. These are fatal
if inhaled causing corrosion to the respiratory tract. If an explosion should occur
evacuate the space and use carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, or a water spray
extinguisher to put out the flames. Seek medical attention if this should occur even if
no obvious signs of exposure are present.

2. The routes of exposure for ammonia are inhalation, skin contact, and eye
contact. Out of these three the main route of exposure is inhalation, it is the easiest
route to have ammonia enter the body due to its chemical properties. By this route
rapid death can occur from edema (fluid in lungs). After exposure symptoms
develop hours after exposure including coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.
Skin contact to the gas is corrosive and can cause burns and scarring to the
skin. The liquefied form causes frostbite to the skin and can result in tissue death
and a waxy white or yellowing color of the skin. Eye contact has very similar results
as skin contact. The gas can cause irritation or burns to the eyes while the liquid can
freeze the eye, both resulting in blindness. Long-term effects of using ammonia can
cause harm to the respiratory system and cause irritation and inflammation to the
airways. There are no known carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, reproductive, or
mutagenicity hazards associated with ammonia.
First aid measures to be taken place incase of exposure are to be handled as
follow. Inhalation, move the victim to fresh air, if they are experiencing difficulty
breathing supply fresh oxygen, transport to hospital for further medical attention.
Skin contact with gas should be rinsed with lukewarm water for 5 minutes. If the
skin is exposed to the liquid form then remove them from the source. Do not
attempt to rewarm the skin, rub, or apply heat. Remove clothing and jewelry from
the affected site and transport to a hospital. Eye contact with the gas form should be
treated the same as skin contact however if the contact is the liquids form other
measures are recommended. Once the liquefied ammonia enters the eye
immediately flush with lukewarm water for a brief period of time then cover with a
sterile dressing.
When working with ammonia never work alone due to the hazards that this
chemical can produce. Always store the chemical in its original container that is
correctly labeled. Do not drag, roll, or lay the container on its side. For jobs that
require long periods around ammonia rotations or schedules breaks may be
required. Always use corrosive resistant equipment. Wear PPE (personal
protective equipment) such as safety goggles, aprons, boots, and gloves. In some
cases a full body suit may be required along with a respiratory device.
Ammonia is a very useful chemical found in many processes but if put under
the right conditions can produce fatal hazards. With proper training and equipment
workers who come into contact with this chemical should have no adverse health
effects.
Resources:
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/ammonia.html
http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/NH3_gas.pdf
http://work.alberta.ca/documents/WHS-PUB-CH027.pdf