What are the risks of ammonia?
Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.
What are the hazards associated with concentrated ammonium hydroxide?
contact can severely irritate and burn the skin and eyes leading to eye damage. ► Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. ► Inhaling Ammonium Hydroxide can irritate the lungs. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency.
What precautions should you take when working with ammonia?
Working Safely with Ammonia
- Wear personal protective equipment.
- Take hot work permitting precautions whenever hot work will be performed in areas where ammonia is present.
- Use proper ventilation.
- Store ammonia separately from incompatible chemicals, away from heat and ignition sources.
At what concentration is ammonia hazardous?
300 parts per million
Exposure to 300 parts per million (ppm) is immediately dangerous to life and health. Ammonia is also flammable at concentrations of approximately 15% to 28% by volume in air.
What are symptoms of high ammonia levels?
Common symptoms of elevated blood ammonia level
- Confusion.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea with or without vomiting.
- Pain in the back, sides or abdomen.
- Weakness (loss of strength)
What are the symptoms of ammonia?
Ammonia causes rapid onset of a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, accompanied by lacrimation, rhinorrhea, and coughing. Upper airway swelling and pulmonary edema may lead to airway obstruction. Ammonia gas or solution can cause serious corrosive burns on contact.
What is the proper storage condition of ammonium hydroxide?
Storage/Stability Ammonium hydroxide has a shelf-life of two years if stored at room temperature, but should be stored tightly sealed in a vented cabinet away from acids. Over time, the concentration may decrease due to evaporation of the gas from the solution.
How does ammonium hydroxide affect the environment?
Ammonia emissions negatively affect biodiversity. Ammonia pollution also effects species composition through soil acidification, direct toxic damage to leaves and by altering the susceptibility of plants to frost, drought and pathogens. At its most serious, certain sensitive and iconic habitats may be lost.
What are symptoms of ammonia poisoning?
Symptoms
- Cough.
- Chest pain (severe)
- Chest tightness.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Rapid breathing.
- Wheezing.
What is the allowable concentration of ammonia in the workplace?
50 parts per million
The Permissible Exposure Limit for ammonia set by OSHA is 50 parts per million (ppm) averaged over an eight hour work day. This is the standard that must be met in every work place.
What is the concentration of ammonia?
It is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions. Household ammonia cleaning solutions are manufactured by adding ammonia gas to water and can be between 5 and 10% ammonia. Ammonia solutions for industrial use may be concentrations of 25% or higher and are corrosive.
How does high ammonia levels affect the brain?
Elevated concentrations of ammonia in the brain as a result of hyperammonemia leads to cerebral dysfunction involving a spectrum of neuropsychiatric and neurological symptoms (impaired memory, shortened attention span, sleep-wake inversions, brain edema, intracranial hypertension, seizures, ataxia and coma).