PLEASE NOTE:
This is a very long Article, but if your interested in Ammonia
Refrigeration it has a lot of good Information!
The best way to read it is to Download it to your machine.
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a very long Article, but if your interested in Ammonia
Refrigeration it has a lot of good Information!
The best way to read it is to Download it to your machine.
Common Name: Ammonia
CAS Number: 7664-41-7
DOT Number: UN 2672/UN 2073/UN 1005
Date: January, 1989
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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.
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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 over exposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* Consider chest x ray after acute over exposure.
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 face shield when working
with this chemical or air tight gas proof goggles, unless full
face piece 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 face piece 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 face piece 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
face piece operated in the positive pressure mode or with a
full face piece, hood, or helmet in the continuous flow mode,
or use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self contained breathing
apparatus with a full face piece 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
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Hazard rating NJ DOH NFPA
FLAMMABILITY - 1
REACTIVITY - 0
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CORROSIVE
CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE
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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.
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Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes.
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NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Right to Know Program
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
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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 feed lots, 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: ACQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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