Ammonia
Ammonia is widely used as a refrigerant, a fertilizer, and a household and commercial cleaning agent. Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a highly irritating gas that is very water-soluble. It is also a key ingredient in the illicit production of methamphetamine. Aqueous solutions of ammonia may be strongly alkaline, depending on the concentration. Solutions for household use are usually 5–10% ammonia, but commercial solutions may be 25–30% or more. The addition of ammonia to chlorine or hypochlorite solutions will produce chloramine gas, an irritant with properties similar to those of chlorine (See Chlorine).
Mechanism of toxicity. Ammonia gas is highly water-soluble and rapidly produces an alkaline corrosive effect on contact with moist tissues, such as those of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Exposure to aqueous solutions causes corrosive alkaline injury to the eyes, skin, or GI tract (see “Caustic and Corrosive Agents”).
Toxic dose
Ammonia gas. The odor of ammonia is detectable at 3–5 ppm, and persons without protective gear will experience respiratory irritation at 50 ppm and usually self-evacuate the area. Eye irritation is common at 100 ppm. The workplace recommended exposure limit (ACGIH TLV-TWA) for anhydrous ammonia gas is 25 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average, and the OHSA permissible exposure limit (PEL) as an 8-hour time-weighted average is 50 ppm. The level considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) is 300 ppm. The Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPG) suggest that 25 ppm will cause no more than mild, transient health effects for exposures of up to 1 hour.
Aqueous solutions.
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