Use: Fertilizer; preparation of fertilizers; manufacture of inorganic and organic
nitrogen containing compounds; nitriding of steel; condensation catalyst; synthetic fibers; dyeing; neutralizing agent; latex preservative; preparation of explosives; sulfite cooking liquors
 
 

    Appearance: Colourless liquid with a sharp intensely irritating odour; ODOUR THRESHOLD 0.6 to 53 ppm (detection); 0.7 to 55 ppm (recognition) WARNING PROPERTY (ODOUR/IRRIT) Not reliable- odour threshold about the same magnitude as TLV.
    Flash Point: Ammonia gas can burn
    Vapour Pressure (mbar at 20 C): 6.9 - 10.5 psi @ 20 deg C
    Solubility in water: Very soluble                 Critical Temp: 133 deg C (271 deg F)
    Flammability Limits (%V/V):
    Specific Gravity: approx. 0.9   Volatile Component: 100% by wt.                                                                                      pH: 11.6 (1N solution in water at 25 deg C)
    CHEMICAL FAMILY: Inorganic nitrogen compound
    STRUCTURAL FORMULA: NH4OH
    MOLECULAR FORMULA: H4-N-O-H

 
    Chemical Entity:   CAS No.  Proportion (wgt%)
    Ammonia    7664-41-7  10-35%

 
        Health Effects:

        Swallowed: Harmful if swallowed. Causes severe burns and pain in the throat, chest and abdomen along with coughing, vomiting and shock.

        Eye: Irritation of cornea and tearing after exposure at 134 ppm for 5 minutes. At 700 ppm. Vapour is immediately irritating. Contact with liquid can cause severe irritation, hemorrhage, swollen eyelids, and partial or total blindness if not treated immediately.

       Skin: Contact with liquid may cause chemical burns

        Inhaled: Severe respiratory tract irritation. Effects related to concentration. Reported odour detection levels are 1-50 ppm. Complaints of irritation and discomfort begin at 20-25 ppm. Exposure for 5 min at 133 ppm causes nose and throat irritation. At 400-700 ppm immediate severe irritation of eyes, nose and throat occurs. Brief exposure at 5, 000 ppm may cause rapid death due to suffocation or fluid in the lungs.

       Chronic:
Health Effects Inhalation; repeated exposure to gas may cause long term irritation of the eyes, nose and upper respiratory tract. Workers repeatedly exposed to ammonia may develop a tolerance to the irritating effects after several weeks. Continuous exposure at 70 ppm may be tolerated without adverse effects. Daily exposure at 97-122 pm cause upper respiratory and eye irritation.
Potential for accumulation: Not likely to accumulate. A normal body component. Excreted in urine as ammonium salts or urea. Some elimination through sweat glands.

       First Aid
       If swallowed: Rinse mouth thoroughly with water immediately. Give water to drink. DO NOT induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical assistance.

       Eye: If irritation occurs, immediately flush contaminated eye(s) with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 20 minutes, by the clock, holding eyelid(s) open. Obtain medical attention immediately.

       Skin: If contact with ammonia occurs, flush contaminated area(s) with lukewarm, gently running water for at least 20 minutes. Under running water, remove contaminated clothing. Obtain medical attention immediately. Discard contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods. Do not re-use.

       Inhaled: Remove source of ammonia or move victim to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, trained personnel should begin artificial respiration or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. Obtain medical attention immediately

       Other First Aid: Provide general supportive measures (comfort, warmth, rest). Consult a physician and/or the nearest Poison Control Centre for all exposures except minor instances of inhalation and skin contact

Toxicity Data: Animal Toxicity Data LD50 (oral, rat): 350 mg/kg (ammonium hydroxide) LC50 ( inhalation, mouse): 4,837 ppm; duration of exposure 1 hour. Inhalation: Animals continuously exposed at 60 ppm (24 hr/day for 114 days) showed no signs of toxicity. Rats exposed continuously at 180 ppm for 90 days did not show any abnormalities of organs or tissue. Inhalation: rabbits and dogs exposed to a concentration of 1,100 ppm for 8 hr/day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks experienced moderate eye irritation and laboured breathing initially, but effects disappeared by the second week. No other signs of irritation or toxicity were noted.
 

 
       Exposure Standards: (TLV-TWA_ 25 ppm (18 mg/m3), peak, Worksafe Australia. Short term exposure limit (TLV STEL) 35 ppm (27 mg/m3), Worksafe Australia
Sampling and analysis colorimetric indicating (detector) tubes: Commercially available.
Direct Reading Instruments: Commercially available devices: chemical sensor (grab sample; portable). Chemical sensor (continuous sampling; fixed location). Colorimetry (continuous sampling; portable/fixed location). Infrared spectrometry (continuous sampling; portable. Photoionization detector (continuous sampling; fixed location).Exposure Control: Exposure to this material can be controlled in many ways. The measures appropriate for a particular work site depend on how this material is used and on the extent of exposure. Use this general information to help develop specific control measures. Ensure that control systems are properly designed and maintained. Comply with occupational, environmental, fire, and other applicable regulations.
       Engineering Controls: Engineering control methods to reduce hazardous exposures are preferred. Methods include mechanical ventilation (dilution and local exhaust), process or personnel enclosure, control of process conditions and process modification (e.g., substitution of a less hazardous material). Administrative controls and personal protective equipment may also be required. Because of the high potential hazard associated with ammonia, stringent control measures such as enclosure or isolation may be necessary. Supply sufficient replacement air to make up for air removed by exhaust systems.

       Personal Protection:
If engineering controls and work practices are not effective in controlling exposure to ammonia, then wear suitable personal protective equipment. Have appropriate personal protective equipment available for use in emergencies such as spills or fire. If respiratory protection is required, institute a complete respiratory protection program including selection, fit testing, training, maintenance, inspection, cleaning and evaluation.
Respiratory Protect. Guidelines - Recommendations for Ammonia Concentrations.
In Air: Up to 300 ppm: Chemical cartridge respirator with cartridge(s) to protect against ammonia. Up to 500 ppm: SAR; or powered air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) to protect against ammonia; or gas mask with canister to protect against ammonia; or SCBA. Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentration or IDLH conditions: positive pressure, full-face piece SCBA; or positive pressure, full-face piece SAR with an auxiliary positive pressure SCBA. ESCAPE: gas mask with canister to protect against ammonia; or escape type SCBA. Note: The IDLH concentration for ammonia is 500 ppm: Substance reported to cause eye irritation or damage; may require eye protection. Abbreviations: SAR= supplied-air respirator; SCBA= self-contained breathing apparatus. IDLH= immediately dangerous to life or health. Note: In these recommendations the IDLH concentration is defined as the maximum concentration which would not cause any escape-impairing symptoms or irreversible health effects to a person exposed for 30 minutes if the respirator failed.
      Chemical safety goggles. A face shield may be necessary. Impervious gloves, coveralls, boots, and/or other resistant protective clothing. Have a safety shower/eyewash fountain readily available in the immediate work area. For Protective Clothing Good: Butyl rubber, natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyvinyl chloride. Fair Poor: Viton, polyethylene (PE). NOTE: Resistance of a specific material can vary from product to product. Evaluate resistance of materials under conditions of use and maintain clothing carefully.
       Flammability: Vapours are flammable
       Environment: Pollutant Contain.
 
 
 

        Storage and Transport:
Limit quantity of material in storage. Restrict access to storage area. Post appropriate warning signs. Keep storage area separate from populated work areas. Inspect periodically for deficiencies. Consider leak detection and alarm systems, as required. Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated area, out of direct sunlight, away from heat and ignition sources. Store away from incompatible materials such as oxidising materials and strong cids. Structural materials and lighting and ventilation systems in storage area should be corrosion resistance. Store product below 25 deg C. Protect from damage.
Handling: Keep material away fom sparks, flames and other ignition sources. Post NO SMOKING signs in area of use. Avoid release of gas into workplace air. Empty containers contain residue which may be hazardous.
Not to be loaded with class 1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6*, 7, Foodstuff and foodstuff empties.(* where the Class 6 substance is a cyanide and the Class 8 substance is an acid).
Packaging and Labeling as required by the ADG Code. As required by the standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons.
 
       Spills & Disposal
       Spills: Restrict access to area unyil completion of cleanup. Ensure cleanup is conducted by trained personnel only. Wear adequate personal protective equipment. Extinguish or remove all ignition sources. Ventilate area. Use water spray/fog to reduce gas cloud from serious leak or spill. Isolate area until area until gas has dispersed. For small spills, use absorbent material and shovel into marked containers for disposal. For large spills, contain within a bund, pump out to a recovery container. Disposal Review federal, state and local government requirements prior to disposal. Incineration or biological degredation of waste ammonia may be possible.
       Reactivity Data: Normally Stable
       Incompatibility: MAT'LS TO AVOID ACIDS can react violently. OXODIZING AGENTS-can react violently. METAL HALIDES (e.g. Boron, Gold, Tellurium) SILVER COMPOUNDS e.g. chloride, nitrate, oxide) or Mercury- may form explosive compounds. HALOGENS (e.g. chlorine, bromine, fluorine) or  INTERHALOGENS (e.g. chlorine trifluoride) - can react violently or form explosive products. HALIDES - can react violently or form explosive products. ETHYLENE OXIDE - can polymerize explosively in contact with ammonia.
Corrosivity to metals: Corrosive to aluminium and zinc. Attacks copper, nickel tin and brass.

       Fire/Explosion Hazard
       Fire extinguishing agents: Water fog, carbon dioxide, Halons, powder.
       Fire fighting procedures: Stop flow of liquid if it can be done safely. Move containers from fire area if it can be done safely. Use water spray to keep containers cool. Pressurized containers may explode in fire and release toxic and irritating gases. Note: Ammonia is not readily ignited, but explosions of air ammonia mixtures have occurred in confined spaces. Combustion Products: Oxides of nitrogen. Open containers slowly to prevent spurting.
 
 

       Photochem Customer Technical Services:  (03) 9827-0877

Additional Information:
       References: BIBLIOGRAPHY (1) Criteria for a recommended standard: occupational exposure to ammonia (DHEW (NIOSH) publication; no. 74-136). U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Cincinnati, Ohio: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1974 (2) Patty's industrial hygiene and toxicology. 3rd rev. ed. Vol. 2B. John Wiley & Sons, 1981. P. 3045-3052 (3) NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards. (Repr. With corr.) NIOSH, Feb. 1987. P. 50-51,
User Data
CAT. NO.: 00000043 00000790 06030000
  00004528 00004527 00004632
  00002992 00004774

DISCLAIMER: All information given in this data sheet and by the company's technical staff is compiled from the best information currently available to the company. The company accepts no responsibility whatsoever for its accuracy or for any results which may be obtained by customers. Any customer who relies upon any advice or information given in this data sheet by the company or by its technical staff does so entirely at its own risk. The company will not be liable for any loss or damage thereby suffered notwithstanding any want of care on the part of the company or its staff in compiling or giving the advice or information.