Ammonia: Its Effect on Health and IAQ

What ammonia is
Sources of ammonia
Health problems associated with ammonia
Decreasing exposure to ammonia

What Ammonia Is 

Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong, suffocating odor. It is often used in water solution. It is used in making fertilizer, plastics, dyes, textiles, detergents, and pesticides.

Sources of Ammonia

• In the manufacture of household ammonia for detergents and cleaners.

• In blueprinting inks.

• As a gas, it is used in the fertilizer industry, as a direct application fertilizer and as a building block for the manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers.

• In the production of nitric acid and other chemicals

• In the manufacturing of explosives

• As a refrigerant

• In the pulp and paper industry

• In the extraction of certain metals, such as copper and nickel, from their ores

• In the removal of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides from stack gases

• As a corrosion inhibitor at petroleum refineries and natural gas plants

• In the rubber industry for the stabilization of natural and synthetic latex

• As a curing agent in making leather

• In the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, lotions and cosmetics

• In combination with chlorine to purify industrial and municipal water supplies

Health Problems Associated with Ammonia 

Ammonia is a corrosive chemical so health problems are mostly acute or immediate. However, chronic low-level exposure can cause health effects such as chronic irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. In addition, chronic exposure to ammonia may irritate the lungs resulting in bronchitis (inflammation of the airways) with cough, phlegm, and/or shortness of breath.

Acute exposure to ammonia can result in:

• Irritation and possible burns of the eyes and skin that could result in permanent damage. When high levels of airborne ammonia gas dissolve in moisture on the skin, it forms a corrosive acid, ammonium hydroxide.

• Irritation of the nose, mouth, and throat and headache.

• Irritation of the lungs.

• Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), which is a kind of asthma.

• High exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. Pulmonary edema may be seen at concentrations of 1500 ppm and develops over several hours after the high exposure has occurred.

• Loss of sense of smell.

• Nausea and/or vomiting.

Decreasing Exposure to Ammonia

• Do not ever mix ammonia products with chlorine products! This can create a deadly, corrosive gas.

• Try to find safer substitutes

• If using ammonia-based products, make sure there is adequate ventilation in the home or office and school.

• Wear proper protective equipment such as goggles or face shield to protect your eyes and gloves that provide protection from ammonia.