Skin contact with ammonia

Precautions Ammonia gas is very toxic and poses an explosion hazard, particularly in improper storage conditions. Unprotected industrial workers should avoid all contact with ammonia gas and use of contaminated equipment. Ammonia gas should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight, away from heat and ignition sources, and away from flammable material. Always use chemical safety goggles, a face shield for skin protection, chemical protective gloves, coveralls, boots, and/or other chemical protective clothing. 

Dissolve 180 g. of commercial ammonium carbonate in 150 ml. of warm water (40-50°) in a 700 ml. flask. Cool to room temperature and add 200 ml. of concentrated ammonia solution (sp. gr. 0 88). Introduce slowly, with swirling of the contents of the flask, a solution of 50 g. of chloroacetic acid (Section 111,125) in 50 ml. of water [CAUTION do not allow chloroacetic acid to come into contact with the skin as unpleasant burns will result]. Close the flask with a solid rubber stopper and fix a thin copper wire to hold the stopper in place do not moisten the portion of the stopper in contact with the glass as this lubrication will cause the stopper to slide out of the flask. Allow the flask to stand for 24-48 hours at room temperature. Transfer the mixture to a distilling flask and distil in a closed apparatus until the volume is reduced to 100-110 ml. A convenient arrangement is to insert a drawn-out capillary tube into the flask, attach a Liebig s condenser, the lower end of which fits into a filter flask (compare Fig.//, 1) and connect the... 

On contact with the skin, liquid ammonia produces severe burns compounded by frostbite due to the freezing effect from rapid evaporation from the skin. 

Clear liquid with an odor that is a mixture of alcohol and ammonia. This material is hazardous through inhalation and ingestion, and produces local skin/eye impacts. Inhalation of the agent may cause irritation of the lower respiratory tract, coughing, difficulty in breathing and, in high concentration, loss of consciousness. It causes severe irritation in contact with the skin and eyes. If ingested it causes nausea, salivation, and severe irritation of the mouth and stomach. 

Nitric acid and ammonia can cause burns. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. 

Symptoms of exposure Very irritating to eyes, nose and respiratory tract. An irritation concentration of 72.00 mg/m in air was reported by Ruth (1986). Exposure to 3,000 ppm for several min may result in serious blistering of skin, lung edema, and asphyxia leading to death (Patnaik, 1992). Ingestion may cause bronchospasm, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, and pulmonary edema. Contact with liquid ammonia or aqueous solutions may cause vesiculation or frostbite (IMIOSH, 1994). 

Liquid anhydrous ammonia in contact with the eyes may cause serious injury to the cornea and deeper structures and sometimes blindness on the skin it causes first- and second-degree burns that are often severe and, if extensive, may be fatal. Vapor concentrations of 10,000 ppm are mildly irritating to the moist skin, whereas 3 0,000 ppm or greater causes a stinging sensation and may produce skin burns and vesiculation. With skin and mucous membrane contact, burns are of three types cryogenic (from the liquid ammonia), thermal (from the exothermic dissociation of ammonium hydroxide), and chemical (alkaline). ... 

Chromyl chloride reacts violently with alcohol, ammonia, and turpentine, igniting these liquids. Reactions with other oxidiazable substances can be violent. The liquid is corrosive and possibly a poison. Skin contact can cause bhs-ters. Exposure to its vapors causes severe irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. Prolonged or excessive inhalation can cause death. 

Caution Avoid contact with styrene dibromide, which is a skin irritant. This preparation should be conducted in a hood to avoid exposure to ammonia. 

Irritant dermatitis does not involve an immune response and is typically caused by contact with corrosive substances that exhibit extremes of pH, oxidizing capability, dehydrating action, or tendency to dissolve skin lipids. In extreme cases of exposure, skin cells are destroyed and a permanent scar results. This condition is known as a chemical burn. Exposure to concentrated sulfuric acid, which exhibits extreme acidity, or to concentrated nitric acid, which denatures skin protein, can cause bad chemical bums. The strong oxidant action of 30% hydrogen peroxide likewise causes a chemical bum. Other chemicals causing chemical bums include ammonia, quicklime (CaO), chlorine, ethylene oxide, hydrogen halides, methyl bromide, nitrogen oxides, elemental white phosporous, phenol, alkali metal hydroxides (NaOH, KOH), and toluene diisocyanate. 

The evaporation of liquid ammonia in contact with flesh can cause frostbite. Ammonia is a potent skin corrosive and can damage eye tissue. When inhaled, ammonia causes constriction of the bronchioles. Because of its high water solubility, ammonia is absorbed by the moist tissues of the upper respiratory tract. Irritant damage to the lungs from ammonia can cause edema and changes in lung permeability. 

Hydrochloric add, ammonia and sodium hydroxide solutions are caustic and M harmful to skin. Avoid contact with the skin and eyes wear chemically resis- tant rubber gloves and chemical safety goggles. Some of the metal salts are M toxic. Handle carefully and wash your hands on completion of the experiment or before eating. H... 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by skin contact and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by ingestion. A severe human skin and eye irritant. Acts as a primary irritant as well as a sensitizer of skin. An allergen. Mutation data reported. Combustible when exposed to heat or flame. A moderate explosion hazard when exposed to flame, sparks, heated to 150°, or when shocked in a sealed container. Explosive reaction with ammonia at 170°C/40 bar. To fight fire, use CO2, dry chemical. Reacts violently with hydrazine sulfate or hydrazine hydrate. See also NITRO COMPOUNDS of AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS. 

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