Ammonia gas is a compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen, with the chemical formula NH3. It is a non-colorless gas that is identified by smell as it has an odor that is strong. Ammonia gas is used in the manufacturing of fertilizers and refrigerants however you'll likely be able to spot it prior to it becoming harmful to health. The risk that ammonia gas has is dependent on the amount of gas present and the duration of 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 massive concentrations or 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 located on mushroom farms produce ammonia gas. Manure pits as well the enclosed and indoor areas where animals from farms are kept could be the source of ammonia gas.
Refrigeration System Ice skating rinks as well as manufacturing facilities to make ice utilize liquid ammonia. In the event that it spills the liquid, it is transformed into gas.
Liquid ammonia is a fertilizer and cleaner that is typically mixed together with various other chemical.
Certain manufacturing processes also utilize ammonia
There is a possibility to get exposed to ammonia using products for cleaning that have ammonia
Other sources of occupational exposure are the silvering of reflective mirrors, making of glue, tanning leather and around nitriding furnaces
Ammonia is produced as an end-product of coal distillation, as well as by steam's action on calcium cyanamide and by the decomposition of nitrogenous compounds
Ammonia naturally is found naturally in soybean (8,600 ppm) as well as the seeds of evening primrose (2,300-2,455 ppm) as well as lambsquarter as well as the leaves of tobacco (Duke 1992).
The leaks of ammonia are growing due to the increasing usage of natural refrigerants instead of fluorinated gas alternatives.
(Process Equipment & Control News)
High Risk Scenarios
Ammonia levels tend to be more high in warmer than colder ones.
In a closed-space, ammonia could explode when the ignition source is there
In the absence of accidental releases of ammonia, the risk for exposure to extremely high levels of ammonia is highest during limited space access
Technically speaking an employee falls off the surface of an opening, they is actually entering an enclosed space. If ammonia is present, workers must be aware of the fact that confined areas can pose dangers for their health.
In the instance of a leak or CSE process, it would be wrong to believe that the odor of ammonia will provide a sufficient signal to notify