Background

Ammonia is a colourless, reactive gas that is lighter than air (approximately half as heavy) which dissolves readily in water. Ammonia has a strong smell, similar to urine, which can be detected by most people even in small amounts. Ammonia gas is non-flammable, but because some mixtures with air could explode if ignited, it is treated as flammable. Solutions of ammonia are alkali and concentrated solutions are corrosive.  Names for these solutions include ammonium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia and ammonia solution.

  

Ammonia is a very important industrial chemical, with over one million tons produced in the UK annually. Ammonia gas is produced industrially by reacting hydrogen and nitrogen at high temperature and pressure. This reaction is known as the Haber-Bosch process.

There are many uses for ammonia including the production of fertilisers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes, explosives and pharmaceuticals. Because it is widely used, exposure may occur in a number of situations.

Exposure may occur in the workplace although safe levels allowed are enforced to protect the employees. Such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.

In the home, ammonia is used in certain cleaning products or garden fertilisers.

Ammonia occurs naturally at low levels throughout the environment, as it is released from the natural breakdown of organic waste matter. Intensive agricultural practices may increase local levels, e.g. from lots of animal waste (slurry).

As with all chemicals, the health effects are generally related to the amount you are exposed to.

At low concentrations, ammonia may cause eye irritation, coughing or a sore throat.  Inhaling high concentrations of ammonia may cause burns, swelling of the airway and lung damage and can be fatal. Ammonia solutions may cause serious burns if splashed on skin or if swallowed. Splashes in the eye may cause damage which may be irreversible in some cases and lead to loss of sight.

Children may be more sensitive to the effects of ammonia due to their smaller size.

Ammonia is unlikely to cause harm to the unborn child.

Ammonia is not considered to be a cancer-causing chemical.

Key Points       Production and Uses

• Ammonia - Production and Uses
  Added/updated: 22 January 2009