Common Name: Ammonium Nitrate CAS Number: 6484-52-2 DOT Number: UN 1942 Date: November 3, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Ammonium Nitrate can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Exposure may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs. * Overexposure can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, weakness, faintness and collapse. * Severe overexposure may lower the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. This can result in a bluish color to skin and lips, headaches, dizziness, collapse and even death. * Ammonium Nitrate is a HIGHLY REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD. IDENTIFICATION Ammonium Nitrate is a white crystalline (sugar or sand like) material used to make explosives, matches and fertilizers. REASON FOR CITATION * Ammonium Nitrate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is cited by DOT, NFPA and EPA. * This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is REACTIVE. * Definitions are attached. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting personal and area air samples. You can obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. * If you think you are experiencing any work related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS No occupational exposure limits have been established for Ammonium Nitrate. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful. Safe work practices should always be followed. It should be recognized that Ammonium Nitrate can be absorbed through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Ammonium Nitrate and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Ammonium Nitrate to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Ammonium Nitrate: * Exposure can irritate the eyes. * Contact can irritate the skin. * Breathing Ammonium Nitrate can irritate the nose and throat. * Overexposure may cause nausea and vomiting, flushing of the head and neck, headaches, weakness, faintness and col lapse. * With severe overexposure a condition called methemoglobinemia results (lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen). This results in a bluish color to the skin and lips (cyanosis), headaches, dizziness, and with higher exposures, collapse and death. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Ammonium Nitrate and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Nitrate has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Nitrate has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Other Long Term Effects * No chronic (long term) health effects are known at this time. MEDICAL Medical Testing If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * A blood test for methemoglobin levels. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically transfer Ammonium Nitrate from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ammonium Nitrate should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Ammonium Nitrate. * On skin contact with Ammonium Nitrate, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ammonium Nitrate is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up. DO NOT DRY SWEEP. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Ammonium Nitrate. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/ manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/ clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dust proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure to Ammonium Nitrate does not occur. * Where the potential for exposures to Ammonium Nitrate exists, use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator equipped with particulate (dust/ fume/mist) filters. Particulate filters must be checked every day before work for physical damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Ammonium Nitrate, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator to face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Where the potential for high exposures exists, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved supplied air respirator with a full facepiece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a full facepiece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode, or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Ammonium Nitrate you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Ammonium Nitrate must be stored to avoid contact with OIL, CHARCOAL, OR OTHER ORGANIC SUBSTANCES, FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, ACIDS, CORROSIVE LIQUIDS, CHLORATES, SULFUR, METALS, COKE, CORK and SAWDUST since violent reactions occur. * Wherever Ammonium Nitrate is used, handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings. * PROTECT CONTAINERS FROM PHYSICAL DAMAGE. Common Name: Ammonium Nitrate DOT Number: UN 1942 DOT Emergency Guide code: 43 CAS Number: 6484-52-2 ---------------------------------------- NJ DOH Hazard rating FLAMMABILITY 0 REACTIVITY 3 ---------------------------------------- STRONG OXIDIZING AGENT MAY EXPLODE WHEN HEATED POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Ammonium Nitrate is a strong OXIDIZING AGENT that can cause combustible materials (such as wood, paper and oil) to ignite. * If Ammonium Nitrate becomes contaminated with COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS the possibility of an explosion exists. * POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Oxides of Nitrogen. * Use flooding amounts of water to fight a fire involving Ammonium Nitrate. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Ammonium Nitrate is spilled, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill until clean up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Flush area with water. * Keep Ammonium Nitrate out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ammonium Nitrate as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your state Environmental Program for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID POISON INFORMATION Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Nitric Acid, Ammonium Salt Other Names and Formulations: Varioform. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Project CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Ammonium nitrate is a synthetic inorganic compound which is produced in large volumes. Crystalline ammonium nitrate is a major form of nitrogen fertilizer. Lesser amounts are used to make explosives and nitrous oxide. It is also used as an anesthetic. Ammonium nitrate may enter the environment from industrial or municipal waste treatment plant discharges, agricultural runoff, or spills. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Ammonium nitrate has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short- term effects of ammonium nitrate to plants, birds, or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan,reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Ammonium nitrate has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of ammonium nitrate to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Crystalline ammonium nitrate is highly soluble in water, and because of its negative heat of solution in water, is used to prepare freezing mixtures, such as mixtures with salt and water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Nitrate will probably be highly persistent in water. Due to volatilization, most ammonia will disappear from aquatic ecosystems in less than two days. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. Both ammonia and nitrate will probably not accumulate in edible tissues of aquatic species that are eaten by humans. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.