Ammonia gas is a chemical that is made up of hydrogen and nitrogen by using the formula chemically NH3. It is a non-colorless gas that can be identified by its smell as it has an intense smell. Ammonia gas is used in the manufacturing of fertilizers and refrigerants however you're likely to detect it before it is harmful for your wellbeing. The danger that ammonia gas poses is dependent on the amount of gas present and the amount of time exposure that you've had to endure. Read more here: https://www.blacklinesafety.com/solutions/gas-sensors/nh3
Gas Characteristics
Colorless
State of the gas
Compressed
Toxic
Flammable
Corrosive
Lighter than air
Water soluble
Explosive (at large concentrations and in tight spaces)
Pungent, suffocating odor
Can decompose at high temperatures forming very flammable hydrogen gas
OTHER NAMES: Anhydrous ammonia, ammonia, azane, hydrogen nitride
Industrial NH3 hazards
farms compost piles are situated on mushroom farms emit ammonia gases. Manure pits, as the enclosed and indoor areas where animals are kept from farms could be the source of ammonia gas.
Refrigeration System: Ice skating rinks and manufacturing facilities for ice make use of liquid ammonia. If it spills out, it turns into an gas.
Liquid ammonia is a fertilizer and cleaner that is often mixed with various other chemical.
A few manufacturing methods make use of ammonia
It is possible to get exposed to ammonia through products for cleaning that have ammonia
Other sources of occupational exposure include the silvering of reflective mirrors, making of glue, tanning leather , and around nitriding furnaces
Ammonia is produced as a byproduct of coal distillation as well as through steam's action on calcium cyanamide, and through the decomposition of nitrogenous compounds
Ammonia is naturally found in soybean (8,600 ppm) as well as the seeds from evening primrose (2,300-2,455 ppm) as well as lambsquarter and the leaves of tobacco (Duke 1992).
The leaks of ammonia are growing due to the growing use of natural refrigerants instead of alternative fluorinated gases.
(Process Equipment & Control News)
High Risk Scenarios
Ammonia levels tend to be more high in warmer than colder ones.
In a closed space ammonia can explode if the ignition source is present
If there are no accidental release of ammonia the risk for exposure to extremely high levels of ammonia is highest during the time when space is restricted for entry
Technically speaking, when a person falls off the surface of an opening, but they enter an enclosed space. When ammonia is present, employees should be aware that confined spaces can be dangers to their health.
In the case of a leak , or CSE procedure , it would be wrong to believe that the ammonia smell is a sufficient warning to alert