Ammonium, anhydrous

CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE IDENTIFICATION

Chemical name                 

Ammonia, anhydrous

Synonyms                           

Ammonia anhydrous, nitrogen trihydride [1]

IUPAC name

ammonia [1]

CAS No

7664-41-7

REACH registration number

EC No

Molecular formula              

NH₃ [1]

Substance group/chemical family

Mono constituent substance/ Inorganic [1]

Appearance

Physical state

Odour

Form

Colour

Gaseous (100%)  at 20°C and 1013 hPa [1] or  or compressed liquid (compressed under its own pressure) [2]

strong, pungent, suffocating odour [2]

clear colourless gas or liquid [2]

USES AND HANDLING ISSUES

Relevant identified uses

This substance is used in the following products: adhesives and sealants, washing & cleaning products, coating products, cosmetics and personal care products, textile treatment products and dyes, pH regulators and water treatment products, non-metal-surface treatment products, water treatment chemicals, paper chemicals and dyes, metal surface treatment products, heat transfer fluids, pharmaceuticals, extraction agents and photo-chemicals. This substance has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).

This substance is used in the following areas: municipal supply (e.g. electricity, steam, gas, water) and sewage treatment. This substance is used for the manufacture of: chemicals, textile, leather or fur, pulp, paper and paper products, plastic products and fabricated metal products.

This substance is used in the following activities or processes at workplace: transfer of chemicals, closed, continuous processes with occasional controlled exposure, transfer of substance into small containers, closed batch processing in synthesis or formulation, closed processes with no likelihood of exposure, batch processing in synthesis or formulation with opportunity for exposure, hand mixing with intimate contact only with personal protective equipment available and industrial spraying. [1]

Handling considerations

Prevention statements

When handling this substance: do not breathe the dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray; keep away from heat, sparks, open flames and/or hot surfaces – No smoking; avoid release to the environment; wear protective gloves and/or clothing, and eye and/or face protection as specified by manufacturer/supplier.

Response statements

In case of incident: In case of leaking gas fire do not extinguish unless leak can be stopped safely. If on skin (or hair): take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower. If inhaled: remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. If in eyes: rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do – continue rinsing.

Storage statements

Store this substance in a well-ventilated place and keeping container tightly closed. [1]

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Molecular weight                                  

 17.031 g/mol [2]

Bulk density/Specific gravity

 0.696 g/L (liquid), Relative vapour density (air = 1): 0.60 [2]

pH

Particle size

EC

Melting/Freezing point

-77.15 °C at 101 325 Pa [1]

Boiling point

-33.15 °C at 101 325 Pa [1]

Flash point

132 °C  - closed cup [2]

Flammability

Flammable (100%)

Vapour density

Vapour pressure

614.9 - 1 003 kPa @ 10 - 25 °C [1]

Solubility in water

482 g/L @ 25 °C [1]

Solubility in organic solvents

Solubility in inorganic solvents

Hydrolysis

Ionicity in water

Surface tension

23.4 dynes/cm at 11.1 °C; 18.1 dynes/cm at 34.1 °C [2]

Dispersion properties

Explosiveness

Non-explosive (100%) [1]

Other properties

Autoflammability / self-ignition at 101 325 Pa: 650.85 °C [1]

Non-oxidising (100%) [1]

Oxidation reduction potential at 20 °C: 3 090 mV [1]

Viscosity: 0.255 - 0.475 [1]

Stability and reactivity

Chemical stability

 Stable under recommended storage conditions. [2]

Reactivity hazards

When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic fumes and nitrogen oxides. [2]

Corrosivity

Corrosive to copper and galvanized surfaces [2]

Polimerization

Incompatibility with various substances

Special remarks on reactivity

Physical, chemical and biological coefficient

Koc

Kow

Log Kow (Log Pow): 0.23 @ 20 °C   [1]

pKa

pKa = 9.25 at 25 °C [2]

log Kp

Henry-constant

0.507 - 1.621 Pa m³/mol @ 5 - 25 °C [1]

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND BEHAVIOUR

Artificial pollution sources

Release to the environment of this substance can occur from industrial use: as processing aid, in processing aids at industrial sites, in the production of articles, of substances in closed systems with minimal release and as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates). [1]

General terrestrial fate

It is expected to move slowly through soil. It will be broken down by microorganisms. [2]

General aquatic fate

General atmospheric fate

If ammonia is released to the environment, it will react with other chemicals in air to form small particles that eventually fall to the ground. It can dissolve in water present in the air to form fog. It will move into air from moist soil and water surfaces. [2]

General persistence and degradability

Abiotic degradation and metabolites

Biodegradation and metabolites

Readily biodegradable in water (100%) [1]

Bioconcentration

Volatilization

Photolysis

Hydrolysis

Soil adsorption and mobility

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS

Measured data

ECOTOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

General adverse effects on ecosystem

Acute toxicity (LC50, EC50)

Aquatic systems

LC50: 68 µg/L (freshwater fish, 4 days) [1]

EC50 / LC50: 110 mg/L (freshwater invertebrates, 48 h) [1]

EC50: 2700 mg/L (freshwater algae, 18 days) [1]

Terrestrial systems

Chronic toxicity (NOEC, LOEC)

Aquatic systems

EC10 / LC10 or NOEC: 790 µg/L  (freshwater invertebrates) [1]

Terrestrial systems

HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS and PROTECTION

Routes of human exposures

Studies suggest that ammonia can be absorbed by the inhalation and oral routes of exposure, but there is less certainty regarding absorption through the skin. Absorption through the eye has been documented. Most of the inhaled ammonia is retained in the upper respiratory tract and is subsequently eliminated in expired air. Almost all of the ammonia produced endogenously in the intestinal tract is absorbed. Exogenous ammonia is also readily absorbed in the intestinal tract. [2]

General effects

Endocrine disruption

Mutagenicity

Carcinogenicity

Reprotoxicity

Teratogenicity

Skin, eye and respiratory irritations

Skin: Adverse effect observed (corrosive)

Eye: Adverse effect observed (irritating)

Respiratory: Adverse effect observed (irritating) [1]

Skin sensitisation: No adverse effect observed (not sensitising)

Respiratory sensitisation: No adverse effect observed (not sensitising) [1]

Metabolism:

absorption, distribution & excretion

 Absorption values: Dermal: 10 % [1]

Exposure limits

DNEL:   47.6 mg/m³ (workers, inhalation, long term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   47.6 mg/m³ (workers, inhalation, acute/short term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   14 mg/m³ (workers, inhalation, long term, local effects, irritation (respiratory tract)) [1]

DNEL:   36 mg/m³ (workers, inhalation, acute/short term, local effects, irritation (respiratory tract)) [1]

DNEL:   6.8 mg/kg bw/day (workers, dermal, long term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   6.8 mg/kg bw/day (workers, dermal, acute/short term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   23.8 mg/m³ (general population, inhalation, long term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   23.8 mg/m³ (general population, inhalation, acute/short term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   2.8 mg/m³ (general population, inhalation, long term, local effects, irritation (respiratory tract)) [1]

DNEL:  7.2 mg/m³ (general population, inhalation, acute/short term, local effects, irritation (respiratory tract)) [1]

DNEL:   68mg/kg bw/day (general population, dermal, long term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   68 mg/kg bw/day (general population, dermal, acute/short term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   6.8mg/kg bw/day (general population, oral, long term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

DNEL:   6.8 mg/kg bw/day (general population, oral, acute/short term, systemic effects, repeated dose toxicity) [1]

Drinking water MAC

Other information

Animal toxicity data

Acute toxicity (LD50)

LD50: 350 mg/kg bw (rat, oral) (toxic) [1]

LC50 (60 min) 9.85 - 13.77 mg/L air (rat) (harmful) [1]

LC50 (40 min) 14.17 mg/L air (rat), (harmful) [1]

LC50 (20 min) 19.96 mg/L air (rat), (harmful) [1]

LC50 (10 min) 28.13 mg/L air (rat), (harmful) [1]

Chronic toxicity (NOEL, LOEL)

NOAEL (rat): 250 - 1 500 mg/kg bw/day (oral) [1]

LOAEL (rat): 750 - 1 500 mg/kg bw/day (oral) [1]

LOAEL (rat): 105 - 175 mg/m³ air (inhalation)[1]

LOEL (guinea pig): 119 mg/m³ air (inhalation) [1]

NOAEC (rat): 35 mg/m³ air (inhalation) [1]

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

Danger! According to the harmonised classification and labelling (CLP00) approved by the European Union, this substance causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is toxic if inhaled, is very toxic to aquatic life and is a flammable gas.

Additionally, the classification provided by companies to ECHA in REACH registrations identifies that this substance is toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.

Additionally, the classification provided by companies to ECHA in CLP notifications identifies that this substance causes serious eye damage. [1]

According to REACH registrations:

H400: Very toxic to aquatic life.  H221: Flammable gas. H331: Toxic if inhaled. H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. [1]

According to CLP notifications:

H400: Very toxic to aquatic life.  H221: Flammable gas. H331: Toxic if inhaled. H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. H318: Causes serious eye damage.  H280: Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. [1]

EINECS regulation

̵listed on EINECS (European INventory of Existing Commercial chemical Substances) List [1]

OSHA regulations etc.

OTHER INFORMATION, SPECIAL REMARKS

Classification and proposed labelling with regard to toxicological data

CREATED, LAST UPDATE

Created

2019. 12. 10

Last update

2020. 05. 11

REFERENCES

[1] ECHA, Ammonia, anhydrous, https://echa.europa.eu/hu/brief-profile/-/briefprofile/100.028.760, Accessed 2019. 12. 10

[2] Pubchem, Ammonia, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ammonia, Accessed 2019. 12. 10