Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless, combustible gas with explosive potential. The penetrating, pungent odor can be detected at levels as low as 5 parts per million. Both the vapor and the liquid are dangerous. Contact with a low concentration of vapor can cause eye irritation and irritation to the respiratory tract. High concentrations of vapor can cause eye inflammation, laryngitis, a feeling of suffocation and fluid buildup in the lungs that can be fatal. Contact with the liquid can cause skin irritation or severe skin or eye burns. If exposed, flush skin and eyes with water immediately. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for anhydrous ammonia provides a complete list of the health hazards. MSDS may be obtained from anhydrous ammonia dealers and manufacturers.
Always wear personal protective equipment such as a respirator with an ammonia-type cartridge and goggles with a face shield when handling anhydrous ammonia.
Anhydrous ammonia is classified as an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) under SARA Title III (Section 302). The Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) is 500 pounds of active ingredient or approximately 97 gallons of anhydrous ammonia as used for agricultural purposes. If you have on site or store this amount or more at any time during the year, you are required to report. There is no exemption for short-term storage - you must report quantites at or above the TPQ even if the substance is on the site only during the application. Fulfill your reporting requirements by returning the postcards and filling out and returning pages 5,6,7 and 8 available in Extension Bulletin #E-2575 to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
NOTE: Routine agricultural application of anhydrous ammonia is not considered a spill or release.
In the event of a spill or release, the Reportable Quantity (RQ) for anhydrous ammonia is 100 pounds of active ingredient or approximately 19 gallons of anhydrous ammonia as used for agricultural purposes. If a quantity equal to or more than 19 gallons is accidentally released (e.g., the nurse tank malfunctions or the hose disconnects and the contents of the tank are released), immediate contact (within 15 minutes) must be made with the Local Emergency Planning Coordinator (LEPC), the Pollution Emergency Alerting System and the National Response Center. Telephone numbers are found on the Information Source Page. A follow-up written report (use Emergency Notification Form from Extension Bulletin #E-2575) must be submitted to the LEPC and the State Emergency Response Committee (SERC).
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