Ammonia is a chemical that is made both by humans and by nature. It is made up of one part nitrogen (N) and three parts hydrogen (H3). The amount of ammonia manufactured every year by humans is almost equal to the amount produced by nature every year. It is a colorless gas with a very sharp odor, this form is also known as ammonia gas or anhydrous ("without water") ammonia
High concentrations of ammonia exposure in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation.
WHAT DOES AMMONIA DO TO THE BODY?
Your body treats ammonia as a waste product, and gets rid of it through the liver. It can be added to other chemicals to form an amino acid called glutamine. It can also be used to form a chemical compound called urea. Your bloodstream moves the urea to your kidneys, where it is eliminated in your urine.
HOW YOU CAN BE EXPOSED TO AMMONIA.
- Water: You can taste ammonia in water at levels of about 35 ppm
- Outdoors, you may be exposed to high levels of ammonia gas in air from leaks and spills at production plants and storage facilities, and from pipelines, tank trucks, railcars, ships, and barges that transport ammonia.
- Indoors, you may be exposed to ammonia while using household products that contain ammonia. Some of these products are ammonia-cleaning solutions, window cleaners, floor waxes, and smelling salts.
- Farmers can be exposed to ammonia when they work with or apply fertilizers containing ammonia to fields.
- Some manufacturing processes also use ammonia.
WHAT LEVEL OF AMMONIA IS DANGEROUS?
At levels greater than 5,000 ppm, ammonia causes chemical bronchitis, fluid accumulation in the lungs, chemical burns of the skin and is potentially fatal.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ELEVATED BLOOD AMMONIA LEVEL.
- Confusion.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea with or without vomiting.
- Pain in the back, sides or abdomen.
- Weakness (loss of strength)
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF AMMONIA POISONING?
Symptoms of inhalational ammonia toxicity include rhinorrhea, scratchy throat, chest tightness, cough, and dyspnea; eye irritation from the ammonia gas may also be present. Symptoms usually subside within 24-48 hours.
HOW IS AMMONIA POISONING TREATED?
There is no antidote for ammonia poisoning. Treatment consists of supportive measures. These include
- Administration of humidified oxygen and bronchodilators.
- Airway management.
- Treatment of skin and eyes with copious irrigation.
- Dilution of ingested ammonia with milk or water.
