Ammonia

Ammonia is commonly used in industrial and household products. Learn what to do to reduce your risk when handling and storing ammonia.

  • Call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if anyone ingests or breathes in large amounts of chlorine. Keep this number clearly posted in your home.
  • In cases of a large chlorine release contact the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362 and follow the instructions you receive from local officials.
  • Call 911 for emergency medical help immediately if someone stops breathing, collapses, or has a seizure.

What is Ammonia?

  • Ammonia exists naturally in humans and in the environment.
  • Ammonia is a colorless gas at room temperature.
  • Ammonia has a pungent, suffocating odor.
  • Ammonia can irritate eyes, throat, lungs, and skin.
  • Ammonia is not highly flammable, but canisters of ammonia may explode when exposed to high heat.
  • In its pure form, ammonia is known as anhydrous ammonia and will absorb moisture.
  • Ammonia gas dissolves in water to form a solution called ammonium hydroxide, which can burn or irritate skin.
  • Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a clear liquid under pressure.
  • Ammonia is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel containers.
  • Ammonia is lighter than air, so it will rise and spread out. However, if it mixes with moisture, like humidity in air, it can form heavier vapors that stay close to the ground.

Uses of Ammonia

  • Ammonia is commonly used in agriculture as fertilizer.
  • Ammonia is used as a refrigerant gas, for water purification, and in manufacturing.
  • Ammonia is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaners.

Tip to Reduce Exposure

Follow these tips to avoid health symptoms when using ammonia-containing products. Wash hands after using ammonia-containing products and keep them away from any food or beverages.

While Using

  • Do not mix products! Mixing can produce toxic fumes that are harmful to health. Ammonia can react with other common chemicals like chlorine to form a highly toxic gas.
  • Carefully follow all label instructions to ensure effective use.
  • Wear gloves and any protection identified on the product label.
  • Bring in fresh air by opening doors and windows to the outside when using ammonia and other cleaning products.

After Use

  • Dispose of unused and unwanted products properly.
  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Wear gloves and any protection identified on the product label.
  • Keep ammonia containing products in their original containers, securely closed, and away from children and pets.

Health Effects of Ammonia

Breathing, touching or consuming ammonia can cause health symptoms. Symptoms can begin within seconds to minutes and can vary depending on the amount of ammonia you were exposed to, how you were exposed to it, and how long you were exposed.

  • Inhalation. People can be exposed to ammonia by breathing it in. Low levels in the air can irritate eyes, skin, or airways, and may cause a sore throat and cough. Ammonia's strong smell is an early warning of its presence, but you may be less sensitive to the odor over longer periods of time. At higher levels, ammonia can cause chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Severe exposures can cause fluid buildup, injury to the lungs, and, in extreme cases, death.
  • Eye and Skin Contact. Ammonia can cause skin and eye irritation. Higher levels of exposures can cause severe injury, burns, and eye damage or blindness. Contact with liquid ammonia can cause frostbite.
  • Ingestion. Ingesting products containing ammonia, like household cleaner is poisonous and can damage the gastrointestinal tract.

Children are at higher risk of health effects from ammonia than adults because they weigh less, have smaller lungs, and are closer to the ground where ammonia vapor can remain in the air at higher levels. Always keep children and pets away from ammonia containing products while in use.

Treating Ammonia Poisoning

Most people recover following exposure to ammonia. If you are exposed to low levels of ammonia at home, bring in fresh air from outdoors and leave the area where it was released. Rinse off with water immediately if ammonia products get on the skin or in the eyes.

Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone ingests or breathes in large amounts of ammonia. People who inhale large amounts of ammonia gas may need medical treatment.

Additional Resources