Common Name: Ammonia CAS Number: 7664-41-7 DOT Number: UN 2672/UN 2073/UN 1005 Date: January, 1989 ---------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Ammonia can affect you when breathed in. * Breathing Ammonia may irritate the lungs, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can cause death. * Ammonia is a CORROSIVE CHEMICAL and can severely burn the eyes, leading to permanent damage. Contact with Ammonia liquid can severely burn the skin. * Long term exposure to Ammonia can cause chronic irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. IDENTIFICATION Ammonia is found as a colorless gas and in water solution with a strong and suffocating odor. It is used in making fertilizer, plastics, dyes and textiles. REASON FOR CITATION * Ammonia is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT, NIOSH, NFPA and EPA. * This chemical is also on the Special Health Hazard Substance List because it is CORROSIVE. * 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 OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 50 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift. NIOSH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 50 ppm, which should not be exceeded during any 5 minute work period. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 25 ppm averaged over an 8 hour workshift and 35 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). 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 Ammonia. * 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 Ammonia 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 Ammonia: * Contact can cause severe skin burns. * It can cause severe burns of the eyes, leading to permanent damage. * Breathing Ammonia can irritate the mouth, nose, and throat. Higher levels may irritate the lungs, causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Very high exposures can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which can result in death. * Exposure can cause headaches and loss of sense of smell. * Ammonia may make you feel sick to your stomach and cause vomiting. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Ammonia and can last for months or years: * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonia has not been tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction. Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Ammonia has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Other Long Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause chronic irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and airways. * Very irritating substances may affect the lungs. It is not known whether Ammonia causes lung damage. Medical Testing Before beginning employment and at regular times after that, the following are recommended: * Lung function tests. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Consider chest x ray after acute overexposure. 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 controls are recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump liquid Ammonia from drums or other storage containers to process containers. * Specific engineering controls are recommended for this chemical by NIOSH. Refer to the NIOSH criteria document: Ammonia # 74 136. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ammonia should change into clean clothing promptly. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Ammonia. * Eye wash fountains in the immediate work area should be provided for emergency use. * If there is the possibility of skin exposure, emergency shower facilities should be provided. * On skin contact with Ammonia, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ammonia is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. 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 Ammonia. 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 splash proof chemical goggles and faceshield when working with this chemical or air tight gas proof goggles, 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. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 50 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an Ammonia vapor cartridge/canister. More protection is provided by a powered air purifying respirator. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Ammonia, 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 Ammonia you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Ammonia must be stored to avoid contact with STRONG OXIDIZERS, CHLORINE, BROMINE, IODINE, ACIDS, GOLD, MERCURY, SILVER, CALCIUM, and HYPOCHLORITE BLEACHES, since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well ventilated area away from heat and direct sunlight. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Ammonia is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. Common Name: Ammonia DOT Number: UN 2672/UN 2073/UN 1005 DOT Emergency Guide code: 15 CAS Number: 7664-41-7 ---------------------------------------- Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA FLAMMABILITY - 1 REACTIVITY - 0 ---------------------------------------- CORROSIVE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE ---------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Ammonia gas may burn, but does not readily ignite. To extinguish this fire stop the flow of gas while using an agent suitable for type of surrounding fire. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Ammonia is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from areas of spills or leaks until cleanup is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Ventilate area of spill or leak. * Stop the flow of gas. If the source of the leak is a cylinder and the leak cannot be stopped in place, remove the leaking cylinder to a safe place in the open air, and repair the leak or allow the cylinder to empty. * For small liquid spills, neutralize with hydrochloric acid. Wipe with mop or use water aspirator. Drain into a sewer with sufficient water. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ammonia 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. Continue without stopping for at least 30 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash area with large amounts of water. Seek medical attention immediately. 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. Observation after high exposure is recommended for up to 3 days, as fluid in the lung may be delayed. PHYSICAL DATA Water Solubility: Highly Soluble OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES Chemical Name: Ammonia Other Names and Formulations: Anhydrous Ammonia; Ammonium Hydroxide; Aqua Ammonia. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Ammonia is a colorless gas and a common molecule given off by living organisms. It is used to make fertilizers, animal foods, synthetic fibers, glues and explosives. It is also used in the treatment and refining of metals. It may enter the environment through natural organic matter decomposition, run-off from agricultural fields or feedlots, municipal waste treatment plant discharges, oil refinery and chemical manufacturing effluents, or atmospheric fallout. 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. "Total ammonia" refers to the sum of ammonia (NH3) plus the ionized form (NH4+). The toxicity of liquid ammonia solutions is primarily due to the presence of NH3, the percentage of which increases with Ph and temperature. Therefore, the toxicity of "total ammonia" is greater in more alkaline waters at higher temperatures. It is also more toxic under conditions of decreased oxygen concentrations. Under most natural conditions of Ph and temperature, total ammonia has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term effects of total ammonia 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. Under most natural conditions of Ph and temperature, total ammonia has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the long-term effects of total ammonia on plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY No data are available on the water solubility of this chemical. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Total ammonia in non-persistent in water, with a half-life of less than 2 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. 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. Ammonia is not expected to accumulate in tissues of fish. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.