A post regarding anhydrous ammonia exposure, first in a series. Accidental exposure to anhydrous is highly likely in our area. The first post explores the risks. ANHYDROUS AMMONIA EXPOSURE RISK What is the problem? Anhydrous ammonia, a colorless gas with pungent, suffocating fumes, is used as an agricultural fertilizer and industrial refrigerant. When handled improperly, anhydrous ammonia can be immediately dangerous to life or health. As liquid anhydrous ammonia is released from its container into the air, it expands rapidly, forming a large cloud that acts like a heavier-than-air gas for a period of time. Because the vapors hug the ground initially, the chances for humans to be exposed are greater than with other gases. Symptoms of anhydrous ammonia exposure include: • eye, nose, and throat irritation • breathing difficulty, wheezing, or chest pain • pulmonary edema, pink frothy sputum • burns, blisters, and frostbite. Exposure can be fatal at high concentrations. Anhydrous ammonia is also a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine (meth), an illicit activity frequently occurring in makeshift laboratories. Because states require a license for purchase of anhydrous ammonia, those involved in illicit production of meth often resort to stealing it from areas where it is stored and used (e.g., farms, industrial refrigeration systems, and railroad tanker cars). These thefts often lead to releases when valves are left open as ammonia is being siphoned, ammonia is transferred inappropriately into makeshift containers, plugs are removed from ammonia lines at refrigeration facilities or the wrong hoses or fittings are attached to storage containers. This creates a health hazard for anyone in the proximity including emergency health responders.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 14:35:54 +0000
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