Common Name: Ammonium Nitrate
CAS Number: 6484-52-2
DOT Number: UN 1942
Date: November 3, 1986
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HAZARD SUMMARY
* Ammonium Nitrate can affect you when breathed in and by
passing through your skin.
* Exposure may irritate the skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
* Overexposure can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches,
weakness, faintness and collapse.
* Severe overexposure may lower the ability of the blood to
carry oxygen. This can result in a bluish color to skin and
lips, headaches, dizziness, collapse and even death.
* Ammonium Nitrate is a HIGHLY REACTIVE CHEMICAL and is a
DANGEROUS EXPLOSION HAZARD.
IDENTIFICATION
Ammonium Nitrate is a white crystalline (sugar or sand like)
material used to make explosives, matches and fertilizers.
REASON FOR CITATION
* Ammonium Nitrate is on the Hazardous Substance List because it
is cited by DOT, NFPA and EPA.
* This chemical is on the Special Health Hazard Substance List
because it is REACTIVE.
* 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
No occupational exposure limits have been established for Ammonium
Nitrate. This does not mean that this substance is not harmful.
Safe work practices should always be followed.
It should be recognized that Ammonium Nitrate can be absorbed
through your skin, thereby increasing your exposure.
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 Ammonium Nitrate
and at the end of the workshift.
* 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 Ammonium Nitrate 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 Ammonium Nitrate:
* Exposure can irritate the eyes.
* Contact can irritate the skin.
* Breathing Ammonium Nitrate can irritate the nose and throat.
* Overexposure may cause nausea and vomiting, flushing of the
head and neck, headaches, weakness, faintness and col lapse.
* With severe overexposure a condition called methemoglobinemia
results (lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen). This
results in a bluish color to the skin and lips (cyanosis),
headaches, dizziness, and with higher exposures, collapse and
death.
Chronic Health Effects
The following chronic (long term) health effects can occur at some
time after exposure to Ammonium Nitrate and can last for months or
years:
Cancer Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Nitrate has not been
tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals.
Reproductive Hazard
* According to the information presently available to the New
Jersey Department of Health, Ammonium Nitrate has not been
tested for its ability to adversely affect reproduction.
Other Long Term Effects
* No chronic (long term) health effects are known at this time.
MEDICAL
Medical Testing
If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may
be useful:
* A blood test for methemoglobin levels.
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 control is recommended:
* Where possible, automatically transfer Ammonium Nitrate from
drums or other storage containers to process containers.
Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The
following work practices are recommended:
* Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Ammonium
Nitrate should change into clean clothing promptly.
* Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members
could be exposed.
* Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals
who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Ammonium
Nitrate.
* On skin contact with Ammonium Nitrate, immediately wash or
shower to remove the chemical.
* Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Ammonium Nitrate is handled,
processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed.
Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking.
* Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean up.
DO NOT DRY SWEEP.
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 Ammonium Nitrate. 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 dust proof goggles and face shield when working with
powders or dust, 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.
* Engineering controls must be effective to ensure that exposure
to Ammonium Nitrate does not occur.
* Where the potential for exposures to Ammonium Nitrate exists,
use a MSHA/ NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator equipped
with particulate (dust/ fume/mist) filters. Particulate
filters must be checked every day before work for physical
damage, such as rips or tears, and replaced as needed.
* If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator,
you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Ammonium Nitrate, 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 Ammonium Nitrate you should be trained
on its proper handling and storage.
* Ammonium Nitrate must be stored to avoid contact with OIL,
CHARCOAL, OR OTHER ORGANIC SUBSTANCES, FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS,
ACIDS, CORROSIVE LIQUIDS, CHLORATES, SULFUR, METALS, COKE,
CORK and SAWDUST since violent reactions occur.
* Wherever Ammonium Nitrate is used, handled, manufactured, or
stored, use explosion proof electrical equipment and fittings.
* PROTECT CONTAINERS FROM PHYSICAL DAMAGE.
Common Name: Ammonium Nitrate
DOT Number: UN 1942
DOT Emergency Guide code: 43
CAS Number: 6484-52-2
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NJ DOH Hazard rating
FLAMMABILITY 0
REACTIVITY 3
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STRONG OXIDIZING AGENT
MAY EXPLODE WHEN HEATED
POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE
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Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious;
4=severe
FIRE HAZARDS
* Ammonium Nitrate is a strong OXIDIZING AGENT that can cause
combustible materials (such as wood, paper and oil) to ignite.
* If Ammonium Nitrate becomes contaminated with COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIALS the possibility of an explosion exists.
* POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Oxides of
Nitrogen.
* Use flooding amounts of water to fight a fire involving
Ammonium Nitrate.
* If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained
and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156.
SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES
If Ammonium Nitrate is spilled, take the following steps:
* Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of
spill until clean up is complete.
* Remove all ignition sources.
* Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe
manner and deposit in sealed containers. Flush area with
water.
* Keep Ammonium Nitrate out of a confined space, such as a
sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the
sewer is designed to prevent the build up of explosive
concentrations.
* It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Ammonium Nitrate
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 for at least 15
minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids.
Skin Contact
* Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash
contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water.
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.
PHYSICAL DATA
Water Solubility: Soluble
OTHER COMMONLY USED NAMES
Chemical Name:
Nitric Acid, Ammonium Salt
Other Names and Formulations:
Varioform.
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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 Project
CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625 0368
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ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ammonium nitrate is a synthetic inorganic compound which is
produced in large volumes. Crystalline ammonium nitrate is a major
form of nitrogen fertilizer. Lesser amounts are used to make
explosives and nitrous oxide. It is also used as an anesthetic.
Ammonium nitrate may enter the environment from industrial or
municipal waste treatment plant discharges, agricultural runoff, or
spills.
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.
Ammonium nitrate has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-
term effects of ammonium nitrate 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.
Ammonium nitrate has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life.
Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long-
term effects of ammonium nitrate to plants, birds, or land animals.
WATER SOLUBILITY
Crystalline ammonium nitrate is highly soluble in water, and
because of its negative heat of solution in water, is used to
prepare freezing mixtures, such as mixtures with salt and water.
DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Nitrate will probably be highly persistent in water. Due to
volatilization, most ammonia will disappear from aquatic ecosystems
in less than two days.
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.
Both ammonia and nitrate will probably not accumulate in edible
tissues of aquatic species that are eaten by humans.
SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA.
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