Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas for purification of water supplies, and in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, textiles, pesticides, dyes, and other chemicals. It is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions. Most people are exposed to ammonia from inhalation of the gas or vapors.
Since ammonia exists naturally and is also present in cleaning products, exposure may occur from these sources. The widespread use of ammonia on farms and in industrial and commercial locations also means that exposure can occur from an accidental release or from a deliberate terrorist attack. Anhydrous ammonia gas is lighter than air and will rise so that generally it dissipates and does not settle in low-lying areas.
However, in the presence of moisture such as high relative humidity , the liquefied anhydrous ammonia gas forms vapors that are heavier than air.
These vapors may spread along the ground or into low-lying areas with poor airflow where people may become exposed. Ammonia interacts immediately upon contact with available moisture in the skin, eyes, oral cavity, respiratory tract, and particularly mucous surfaces to form the very caustic ammonium hydroxide.
Ammonium hydroxide causes the necrosis of tissues through disruption of cell membrane lipids saponification leading to cellular destruction. As cell proteins break down, water is extracted, resulting in an inflammatory response that causes further damage. Ammonia is irritating and corrosive. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract.
This can cause bronchiolar and alveolar edema, and airway destruction resulting in respiratory distress or failure. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation. It is produced naturally in the human body and in nature—in water, soil and air, even in tiny bacteria molecules.
In human health, ammonia and the ammonium ion are vital components of metabolic processes. Ammonia occurs naturally and is found throughout the environment in soil, air, and water.
Ammonia also is renewed naturally as part of the nitrogen cycle that already occurs as plants fertilize. As a result of this natural process, ammonia does not last long in the environment, and it also does not bioaccumulate. Ammonia has a very distinct, pungent odor, described as similar to sweat or cat urine. Strong, briny cheeses like brie can also smell like ammonia. Cheeses even have small amounts of ammonia in them, as a natural by-product of the cheese aging process.
Ammonia occurs naturally in the environment , so everyone is exposed to low levels at one point or another. It is possible for a person to be exposed to higher levels of ammonia when using cleaning products containing ammonia, or if they live on or near farms where fertilizers are used.
No health effects have been found in humans exposed to typical amounts of ammonia that exist in the environment. Tweets by AmChemistry. Home Ammonia Ammonium hydroxide Ammonia. Ammonia in Household Cleaning Products Ammonium hydroxide — commonly known as household ammonia — is an ingredient in many household cleaning products used to clean a variety of surfaces including tubs, sinks, toilets, countertops and tiles.
Back to Top. Safety Information When using cleaning products containing ammonia, follow all instructions on the product label, make sure the area is well ventilated open windows and doors and wear proper clothing and eye protection.
Answering Questions What is ammonia used for? For information on preparedness and response e. Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemicals in the United States. In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia. Ammonia is also produced in the human body and is commonly found in nature. It is essential in the body as a building block for making proteins and other complex molecules. In nature, ammonia occurs in soil from bacterial processes. It is also produced when plants, animals and animal wastes decay.
Ammonia is a colorless highly irritating gas with a sharp suffocating odor. It dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide solution which can cause irritation and burns.
Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a clear, colorless liquid under pressure. It is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel cylinders. Ammonia is not highly flammable, but containers of ammonia may explode when exposed to high heat. Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, to purify water supplies, and in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, fabrics, pesticides, dyes and other chemicals.
It is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions. Cleaning solutions for industrial use contain higher concentrations of ammonia and can quickly cause irritation and burns. Most people are exposed to ammonia from breathing its gas or vapors. Since ammonia exists naturally and is also present in cleaning products, exposure may occur from these sources. The widespread use of ammonia on farms and in industrial and commercial locations means that exposure can also occur from an accidental release or from a deliberate terrorist attack.
Ammonia gas is lighter than air and will rise, so that generally it does not settle in low-lying areas. However, in the presence of moisture, ammonia can form vapors that are heavier than air. These vapors can spread along the ground or other low-lying areas. When ammonia enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing or skin contact, it reacts with water to produce ammonium hydroxide. This chemical is very corrosive and damages cells in the body on contact.
Ammonia is corrosive. The severity of health effects depends on the route of exposure, the dose and the duration of exposure. 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.
0コメント