1. OSHA Occupational Chemical Database
  2. AMMONIA
Label abbreviations descriptions

AMMONIA†

Chemical Identification
Chemical Identification
CAS # 7664-41-7
Formula

NH₃
Synonyms

anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia
Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Physical description Colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. Often used in aqueous solution.
Boiling point -28°F Molecular weight 17
Freezing point/melting point -107.9°F Vapor pressure 8.5 atm
Flash point Vapor density 0.6
Specific gravity 0.6818 at -28.03°F Ionization potential 10.18 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL) 15% Upper explosive limit (UEL) 28%
NFPA health rating 3 NFPA fire rating 1
NFPA reactivity rating 0 NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.) 0170
Sampling group
Sampler/Sampling media Sulfuric acid impregnated carbon bead tube [Supelco 20036]
Sampling time*

240 min
Sampling volume (TWA)*

24 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)*

0.1 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)*

7.5 L
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)*

0.5 L/min
Analytical method instruments IC
Method reference OSHA ID-188 (fully validated)
Notes

Known interferences with the ammonium ion by IC with the current conditions: Methyl- and dimethylamine, mono- and diethanolamine, iso- and propanolamine
Special requirements

* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Wipe Method
Wipe Method
Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method
Bulk Method
On-Site Screening Techniques
On-Site Screening Techniques
Device Detector tube Detector tube Detector tube CMS Chip CMS Chip CMS Chip
Model/Type Gastec 3LA Matheson-Kitagawa 8014-105SC Dräger - Ammonia 5/a, CH20501 Ammonia, 0.2-5 ppm range; Ammonia, 2-50 ppm range Ammonia, 10-150 ppm range Ammonia, 100-2000 ppm range
Sampling information
(see manufacturer instructions) 		0.5-2 strokes, 0.5-200 ppm range, 16.4% for 5-20 ppm, 8.2%; for 20-100 ppm uncertainty 10-260 ppm range, follow mfr instructions 10 strokes, 1-70 ppm range, 25% uncertainty
Exposure Limits
Exposure Limits
OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
NIOSH REL
Up to 10-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
ACGIH TLV©
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
CAL/OSHA PEL
8-hour TWA
(ST) STEL
(C) Ceiling
Peak
PEL-TWA

50 ppm (35 mg/m³)

 REL-TWA

25 ppm (18 mg/m³)

 TLV-TWA

25 ppm [1970]

 PEL-TWA

25 ppm (17 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL REL-STEL

35 ppm (27 mg/m³)

 TLV-STEL

35 ppm [1970]

 PEL-STEL

35 ppm (27 mg/m³)
PEL-C REL-C TLV-C PEL-C
Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

N

 Skin notation

N
Notes:

See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.

 Notes: Notes: Notes:
Health factors:  See NIH-NLM PubChem. IDLH

300 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: Not listed Notes:
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

25 ppm/150 ppm/1500 ppm
Additional Resources and Literature References
Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - Ammonia

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Ammonia

Literature References

  • ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Ammonia. See annual publication for most recent information.
  • ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for Ammonia. September 2004.
  • Holness, D.L., J.T. Purdham and J.R. Nethercott: Acute and chronic respiratory effects of occupational exposure to ammonia. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 50: 646-650, 1989.
  • NIOSH: Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Ammonia. 1992.
  • Schulze, A et al.: Effects on pulmonary health of neighboring residents of concentrated animal feeding operations: exposure assessed using optimized estimation technique. Arch Environ Occup Health. 66(3): 146-154, 2011.

Last Updated Date : 12/17/2020