What is ammonia?

Ammonia is a colourless, irritant, reactive gas that is lighter than air (approximately half as heavy). It dissolves readily in water and has a characteristic pungent odour similar to drying urine.

What is ammonia used for?

The main use of ammonia is in the manufacture of fertilisers including ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate, and also to produce plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes, pharmaceuticals, explosives and some household and industrial cleaning products.

How does ammonia get into the environment?

Ammonia is mainly released into the environment from the natural breakdown of organic matter and elevated levels can be generated by intensive farming practices. Environmental ammonia may also be released from some industrial process or from accidents during transportation.

How will I be exposed to ammonia?

Ammonia is produced from the natural breakdown of organic matter and so exposure to ammonia will occur at very low levels throughout the environment. Exposure to ammonia may also occur if it is used at your work or if you use it at home.

If there is ammonia in the environment will I have any adverse health effects?

The presence of ammonia in the environment does not always lead to exposure. Clearly, in order for it to cause any adverse health effects you must come into contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, eating, or drinking the substance or by skin contact. Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including the amount to which you are exposed (dose), the way you are exposed, the duration of exposure, the form of the chemical and if you were exposed to any other chemicals.

Ammonia and ammonia solutions are irritant and corrosive. Minor exposures may result in a burning sensation of the eyes and throat and more substantial exposure may cause coughing or breathing difficulties. A one-off exposure (sufficient to cause mild lung or eye irritation) is unlikely to result in long-term health effects. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia may be potentially fatal.

Can ammonia cause cancer?

Exposure to ammonia has not been linked to the development of cancer. In other words, ammonia is not thought to be carcinogenic.

Does ammonia affect children or damage the unborn child?

There is no evidence to suggest that ammonia, at concentrations that do not affect the mother, can affect the health of the unborn child.

What should I do if I am exposed to ammonia?

You should remove yourself from the source of exposure.

If you have got ammonia on your skin, remove soiled clothing, wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 - 15 minutes and seek medical advice.

If you have got ammonia in your eyes, remove contact lenses, irrigate the affected eye with lukewarm water for at least 10 - 15 minutes and seek medical advice.

If you have inhaled or ingested ammonia, seek medical advice.

Production and Uses       Incident Management Key Points