Ammonium sulfate

132.14

132.020477

231-984-1

SU46BAM238

DTXSID1029704

White or brown orthorhombic crystals|Orthorhombic crystals or white granules|Brownish gray to white crystals according to degree of purity

31022100

90.6

0.75190

Yellow to orange Solid

1.769 g/cm³ @ Temp: 50 °C

336-339 °C (decomp)

330ºC at 760 mmHg

26 °C

n20/D 1.396

H2O: 77 g/100 mL (25 ºC)

2-8°C

<1 Pa (25 °C)

Oral-rat LD50: 3000 mg/kg; Abdominal cavity-mouse LD50: 610 mg/kg

Flammable; heat produces toxic nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and ammonia fumes

May explode if mixed with oxidizers, such as potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite and potassium chlorate.

Odorless

pH = 5.5 (0.1 M aqueous solution)

Average specific heat capacity: 1.423 J/g-K at 2-55 °C; heat of solution on dissolution of 1 mol in 400 mol water: +9.92 kJ at 18 °C; integral heat of solution: +6.57 kJ/mol at 30 °C; differential heat of solution for saturated solution: +6.07 kJ/mol at 30 °C; deliquesces above 80% relative humidity|Decomposes above 280 °C

Dissolves in water with evolution of some heat.

Salts, Acidic

AMMONIUM SULFATE is acidic in aqueous solution. When a little ammonium sulfate is added to fused potassium nitrite, a vigorous reaction occurs attended by flame [Mellor 2:702 1946-47].

Not flammable (USCG, 1999)

Does not attack iron or aluminum /Ammoniacal solutions/

UN 1170 3/PG 3

1

10-36/37/38-22

37/39-26-36-24/25

BS4500000

Xi,Xn

Treasury is ventilated and dried at low temperature; stored separately from potassium nitrate and potassium nitrite

Heating with potassium chlorate produces white light;

Stable. Contact with strong oxidizers may cause fire or explosion. Incompatible with strong bases.

P264, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P310, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362

H315

SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.|Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.|Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.|Neutralize with soda ash or dilute hydrochloric acid.

Incompatible materials: Strong oxidizing agents, strong bases.|The mixture of potassium chlorate with ammonium sulfate decomposes with incandescence when heated.|When a little ammonium sulfate is added to fused potassium nitrite, a vigorous reaction occurs attended by flame.|A mixture of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate can easily be exploded by potassium or sodium-potassium alloy.|Reaction with sodium hypochlorite gives the unstable explosive nitrogen trichloride. Incompatible with (/potassium/ + /ammonium nitrate/), /potassium nitrite/, (NaK + /ammonium nitrate/).

Substance added directly to human food affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).|Ammonium sulfate used as a general purpose food additive in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA); Registered Substances, Ammonium sulphate (CAS Number: 7783-20-2) (EC Number: 231-984-1) (January 19, 2015). Contains information on manufacture, use, physical and chemical properties, environmental fate and pathways, ecotoxicological data, toxicological information, and guidance on safe use.[Available from, as of January 29, 2015: http://echa.europa.eu/en/information-on-chemicals]|European Commission, ESIS; IUCLID Dataset, Ammonium sulphate (7783-20-2) (2000 CD-ROM edition) contains information on use, toxicology, and environmental effects of this chemical as supplied to the European Union by industry.[Available from, as of May 13, 2010: http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]|Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Screening Information Data Set for Ammonium sulfate, CAS #7783-20-2 (October 2004). This OECD Initial Assessment is part of a series of OECD SIDS documents published by UNEP Chemicals to facilitate the access to information needed for health and environmental risk assessments of chemicals.[Available from, as of May 6, 2010: http://www.chem.unep.ch/irptc/sids/OECDSIDS/sidspub.html]

|Warning|H302 (41.9%): Harmful if swallowed [Warning Acute toxicity, oral]|P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P330, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P391, P403+P233, P405, and P501|Aggregated GHS information provided by 1535 companies from 28 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.|H402: Harmful to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]|P273, and P501

Eye/face protection: Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).|Skin protection: Handle with gloves.|Body Protection: Choose body protection in relation to its type, to the concentration and amount of dangerous substances, and to the specific work-place. The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.|Respiratory protection is not required. Where protection from nuisance levels of dusts are desired, use type N95 (US) or type P1 (EN 143) dust masks. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

May explode if mixed with oxidizers, such as potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite and potassium chlorate.

Suitable extinguishing media: Use extinguishing measures that are appropriate to local circumstances and the surrounding environment.|Wear self contained breathing apparatus for fire fighting if necessary.|The product itself does not burn.

SRP: Wastewater from contaminant suppression, cleaning of protective clothing/equipment, or contaminated sites should be contained and evaluated for subject chemical or decomposition product concentrations. Concentrations shall be lower than applicable environmental discharge or disposal criteria. Alternatively, pretreatment and/or discharge to a permitted wastewater treatment facility is acceptable only after review by the governing authority and assurance that "pass through" violations will not occur. Due consideration shall be given to remediation worker exposure (inhalation, dermal and ingestion) as well as fate during treatment, transfer and disposal. If it is not practicable to manage the chemical in this fashion, it must be evaluated in accordance with EPA 40 CFR Part 261, specifically Subpart B, in order to determine the appropriate local, state and federal requirements for disposal.|Accidental release measures. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing dust.; Environmental precautions: Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided.; Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.|Waste water containing ammonium sulfate and soluble metal sulfates is treated with calcium sulfide and calcium oxide and with ammonium sulfite and diammonium sulfite.|Waste diammonium sulfate which was obtained in the removal of sulfur dioxide from stack gases by absorption with ammonia solutions is reduced by bacteria to hydrogen sulfide and ammonium sulfate which is recycled to the absorption process.

Precautions for safe handling: Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.|Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.|Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.|SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.|SRP: Local exhaust ventilation should be applied wherever there is an incidence of point source emissions or dispersion of regulated contaminants in the work area. Ventilation control of the contaminant as close to its point of generation is both the most economical and safest method to minimize personnel exposure to airborne contaminants. Ensure that the local ventilation moves the contaminant away from the worker.

/GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Health: TOXIC; inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact with material may cause severe injury or death. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Effects of contact or inhalation may be delayed. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause pollution. /Ammonium hydrogen sulfate/|/GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Fire or Explosion: Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive and/or toxic fumes. Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated. /Ammonium hydrogen sulfate/|/GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Public Safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number ... As an immediate precautionary measure, isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate enclosed areas. /Ammonium hydrogen sulfate/|/GUIDE 154: SUBSTANCES - TOXIC AND/OR CORROSIVE (NON-COMBUSTIBLE)/ Protective Clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Wear chemical protective clothing that is specifically recommended by the manufacturer. It may provide little or no thermal protection. Structural firefighters' protective clothing provides limited protection in fire situations ONLY; it is not effective in spill situations where direct contact with the substance is possible. /Ammonium hydrogen sulfate/|For more DOT Emergency Guidelines (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

No person may /transport,/ offer or accept a hazardous material for transportation in commerce unless that person is registered in conformance ... and the hazardous material is properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in condition for shipment as required or authorized by ... /the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-177)./|The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations are published by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board pursuant to IATA Resolutions 618 and 619 and constitute a manual of industry carrier regulations to be followed by all IATA Member airlines when transporting hazardous materials. /Ammonium hydrogen sulfate/|The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lays down basic principles for transporting hazardous chemicals. Detailed recommendations for individual substances and a number of recommendations for good practice are included in the classes dealing with such substances. A general index of technical names has also been compiled. This index should always be consulted when attempting to locate the appropriate procedures to be used when shipping any substance or article. /Ammonium hydrogen sulfate/

May cause mild skin irritation. May cause mild eye irritation.

| 0 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials.| 0 - Materials that will not burn under typical fire conditions, including intrinsically noncombustible materials such as concrete, stone, and sand.| 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions.

In a study of toxic substances discharged from industrial and municipal sites into estuarine drainage areas of the Gulf of Mexico, ammonium sulfate was detected in 6 occurrences in 1989(1).

... Results /were reported/ from a detailed chemical and meteorological data base that has been accumulated for New York City subregion. Aerosol sampling during Aug 1976 and Feb 1977 sampling periods was done only in an urban New York site and a background site at High Point, New Jersey. The sampling program was expanded to Brookhaven (Long Island) and New Haven, Connecticut sites during summer 1977 and winter 1978 sampling. Parameters measured incl chem constituents (NH4)2SO4; aerosol size distributions; chem-speciated size classification; trace metals; and hydrocarbons at some locations. Based on impactor data, approx 85% of the aerosol sulfate mass was in the fine particle fraction.|Measurements of the chemical composition and degree of hydration of haze particles in rural Virginia during the summer of 1980 were reported. The particle composition in terms of the NH4+/SO42- M ratio ranged from 0.5-2 with strong diurnal variation.

moderately toxic

IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Ammonium sulfate is a white solid. Ammonium sulfate is used primarily as a nitrogen source in commercial fertilizer mixtures or as a direct application fertilizer, which accounts for > 90 % of the total amount. It is further used in a variety of industrial applications and is also approved as a direct food additive in the EU. It is registered for use in the USA but approved pesticide uses may change periodically and so federal, state and local authorities must be consulted for currently approved uses. Non-agricultural products containing ammonium sulfate which are intended for use by the general public (e.g. cleaning products, paints); contain ammonium sulfate levels up to 50%. Ammonium sulfate has been identified as being used in hydraulic fracturing as a breaker. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: In humans, inhalation exposure to 0.1 to 0.5 mg ammonium sulfate/cu m aerosol for two to four hours produced no pulmonary effects. At 1 mg ammonium sulfate/cu m very slight pulmonary effects in the form of a decrease in expiratory flow, in pulmonary flow resistance and dynamic lung compliance were found in healthy volunteers after acute exposure. 18 people who drank water polluted with ammonium sulfate fertilizer (1500 - 2000 mg/L) suffered gastrointestinal pain similar to acute enteritis. All symptoms passed after 24 hr. It did not induce chromosomal aberrations in mammalian or human cell cultures. Ammonium is also an endogenous substance that serves a major role in the maintenance of the acid-base balance. Minor amounts of ammonium nitrogen are incorporated in the physiological N-pool. Sulfate is a normal intermediate in the metabolism of endogenous sulfur compounds, and is excreted unchanged or in conjugated form in urine. ANIMAL STUDIES: Ammonium sulfate is of relatively low acute toxicity (LD50, oral, rat: 2000 - 4250 mg/kg bw; LD50 dermal, rat/mouse > 2000 mg/kg bw; 8-hr LC50, inhalation, rat > 1000 mg/cu m). Clinical signs after oral exposure included staggering, prostration, apathy, and labored and irregular breathing immediately after dosing at doses near to or exceeding the LD50 value. Neat ammonium sulfate was not irritating to the skin and eyes of rabbits. A 14-day inhalation study on rats exposed to 300 mg/cu m, the only tested dose, did not report histopathological changes in the lower respiratory tract. After feeding diets containing ammonium sulfate for 13 weeks to rats the only toxicity sign found was diarrhea in male animals of the high-dose group. The total dose of 1500 mg/kg of ammonium sulfate was administered to three rabbits, all of which showed similar symptoms such as mydriasis, irregular respiratory rhythms, local and general convulsions, until they fell into respiratory failure with cardiac arrest. EEG showed slow, suppressive waves and high-amplitude slowing wave pattern, which is generally observed clinically in hyperammonemia in man and animal. There was a remarkable increase in the concentration of ammonium ion and inorganic sulfate ion in serum, and blood gas analysis showed severe metabolic acidosis. These results, mainly findings by EEG, have shown that a rapid increase in ammonium ions in blood can cause damaging the central nervous system without microscopic change. Ammonium sulfate was not mutagenic in bacteria (Ames test) and yeasts with and without metabolic activation systems. It did not induce chromosomal aberrations in mammalian or human cell cultures. Similarly to other salts, high doses of ammonium sulfate may have the capability of tumor promotion in the rat stomach; it is, however, much less potent than sodium chloride when tested under identical conditions. In the 13-week feeding study of ammonium sulfate with rats, no histological changes of testes were observed up to 1792 mg/kg bw. The ovaries were not examined. ECOTOXICITY STUDIES: The most sensitive amphibians were 6 week-old Pseudacris regilla tadpoles. Marine acute data are available for fish, invertebrates and for phytoplankton, the latter being most sensitive. For Gymnodinium splendens and Gonyaulax polyedra, growth reduction was found at concentrations of 0.7 mg/L and above. For seawater invertebrates the lowest effect value was obtained for green mussel Perna viridis (96h-LC50 = 47.7 mg/L). For marine fish the lowest effect value was found for larvae of Sciaenops ocellatus with a LC50 (10 d) of 27 mg/L.

Several inhaled atmospheres were tested for effects on the rat respiratory defense system. Materials studied included ozone and aerosols of ammonium sulfate, ferric sulfate, and sulfuric acid; relative humidity was also a controlled experimental variable. Each sulfate was studied alone as a submicrometer aerosol at a concentration of 3.5 mg/cu m in air and combined with ozone at 0.8 ppm. Results were compared with those for sham-exposed animals and for rats exposed to ozone alone. Air pollutant exposures, inside stainless steel chambers, were one time only for 4 hr. The end points for evaluation of effects were measurements of early and late rates of clearance of radiolabeled insoluble tracer particles. Tracer particles were inhaled before air pollutant exposures and particle clearance was followed for about 2 wk. Ozone alone slowed the early (0-50 hr after exposure) particle clearance and stimulated clearance during the later phase (2-17 d). High humidity usually amplified these effects of ozone as well as many of the other atmospheres studied. Sulfate aerosols alone tended to produce relatively small effects on early or late clearance. Combinations of ozone and aerosols resulted in effects that were similar to those of ozone alone. The data do not support the hypotheses that sulfate aerosols synergize with ozone in altering respiratory tract clearance, sulfuric acid being a probable exception. These data alone cannot be used to predict the overall health effects of the materials studied.|The effect of inhaled ammonium sulfate on benzo[a]pyrene carcinogenesis in the lungs of Syrian golden hamsters was studied. Exposure to ammonium sulfate at an airborne concentration 20 times average United States ambient levels resulted in a significant depression (p less than 0.05) of benzo[a]pyrene carcinogenesis in the first 6 mo of the study. However, at 2 yr, the termination of the study, there were no differences in cancer incidence between groups receiving benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene plus ammonium sulfate. In addition, at the concentration studied, inhaled ammonium sulfate did not significantly increase the incidence or severity of pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis in the hamster. However, this inhalation did increase the incidence of emphysema but not the severity. The decreased incidence of cancer during the first 6 mo of this study in animals receiving both benzo[a]pyrene and ammonium sulfate suggests that interaction between sulfate and benzo[a]pyrene does occur, but is insufficient to afford long-term protection against the development of cancer. No enhancement of carcinogenesis by benzo[a]pyrene occurs in the presence of inhaled sulfate.|A hitherto unexpected synergism between the oxidant air pollutants ozone or nitrogen dioxide and a respirable-sized aerosol of ammonium sulfate was observed during controlled exposures of rats to these substances. Response of rat lungs to these pollutants was quantitated by measurement of apparent collagen synthesis rates in vitro by lung minces from exposed animals. Dose-response curves to either O3 or NO2 were altered in the presence of 5 mg/cu m of (NH4)2SO4 aerosol. Morphometric and histologic observations of lungs from rats exposed to high levels of ozone, with and without concurrent exposure to the (NH4)2SO4 particles, confirmed such synergistic effects. In a separate set of experiments, rats were exposed at near ambient levels to mixtures of ozone and sulfuric acid aerosol (submicron-sized aerosol). Potentiation of ozone effects on lung collagen synthesis rates was also observed in these experiments. These observations may have broad implications for the appropriate evaluation of laboratory data in the setting of ambient air quality standards and/or threshold limit values for occupational safety.|A synergistic effect of ammonium sulfate (5 mg/cu m) and ozone (0.2 ppm) has been reported for rat lung when the animals were exposed continuously for 7 days.|For more Interactions (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

LD50 Rat oral 3000 mg/kg|LD50 Rat oral 4250 mg/kg bw (95% confidence limits: 3788 - 4769 mg/kg bw)|LD50 Rat dermal > 2000 mg/kg bw|LD50 Mouse oral 3040 mg/kg bw|For more Non-Human Toxicity Values (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Subchronic toxicity of composite inorganic fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate [fertilizer A; (NH(4))(2)SO(4); 21% NH(4)-N)], composite fertilizer 15-15-15 (fertilizer B; commercial formulation: 15% NH(4)-N, 15% phosphorus, and 15% potassium oxide), and composite fertilizer 25-5-10 (fertilizer C; commercial formulation: 25% NH(4)-N, 5% phosphorus, and 10% potassium oxide) on the skin, liver, kidney, pancreas, and gills of the juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was studied in two-week toxicity tests under static-renewal test conditions. Fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of fertilizers did not show any behavioral abnormality compared to control groups. Histological lesions were observed in skin, gills, liver, pancreas, and trunk kidney of the fish. In the epidermis, degenerated/vacuolated epithelial cells, microcystic dilatations, and intracellular edema of mucus cell were observed. Liver had swollen and degenerated hepatocytes without losing adenoid structure. Hematopoietic tissues had necrosis and vacuolar degeneration on proximal tubules of the kidney. In order, the most affected organs were skin, liver, and kidney.|/AQUATIC SPECIES/ The acute toxic effects of ammonium sulphate to fresh-water catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (H. fossilis) have been studied by determining LC50 values with 95% confidence limits, by the graphic method, the logistic method, the Spearman and Karber method and the trimmed Spearman-Karber method. The trimmed Spearman-Karber method was found the most ideal for ammonium salt toxicity test. The flaws in the trimmed Spearman-Karber method are also discussed.|/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Ionized ammonia was not lethal at concentrations up to 1.787 mg /with Ictalurus punctatus (Channel catfish)./. Hematocrit increased with decreased pH indicating an effect of osmoregulation (isotonic dehydration). Common physiological salts elicited similar blood and lethality responses from this species at pH 6 when compared on an equimolar basis to ammonium salt solution.|/AQUATIC SPECIES/ Chronic toxicity to fish: effects on hematological parameters were reported when adult fish (Labeo umbratus) were treated with sublethal concentrations (no value reported) of ammonium sulfate for 72 hr. The lethal dose was quoted to be 420 mg/L, a concentration at which mortality occurred within 4 hr. Sublethal doses caused statistically significant changes such as an increase in the number of white blood cells, dimension, decrease in MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume) and ACH (Acetylcholine) when compared to control. Other parameters, such as hematocrit, number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and total plasma proteins were decreased and MCHC (Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration) increased, but without statistical significance.|For more Ecotoxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (12 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Baked goods, mean usual concentration 0.033%; gelatins, puddings, custard, mean usual concentration 0.075%.

According to the 2012 TSCA Inventory Update Reporting data, 53 reporting facilities estimate the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed in the manufacturing, processing, or use of ammonium sulfate in the United States may be as low as <10 workers and as high as 9999 workers per plant; the data may be greatly underestimated due to confidential business information (CBI) or unknown values(1).|NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 159,582 workers (47,852 of these were female) were potentially exposed to ammonium sulfate in the US(1). The NOES survey does not include farm workers.|109,678 people exposed (est): 45% from actual observed use of ammonium sulfate; 16% from observed use of a tradename product known to contain ammonium sulfate; and 39% from observed use of a product in some type of general use which leads NIOSH to suspect that ammonium sulfate may be contained in that product.

Ammonium sulfate is a non-CNS depressant anesthetic agent, which has been reported to provide pain relief lasting days to weeks, with few reported side effects in adult studies.

In aqueous environments, such as the body the ammonium sulfate is completely dissociated into the ammonium (NH4 +) and the sulfate (SO4 2-) ions. At physiological pH in aqueous media, the ammonium ion is in equilibrium with un-ionized ammonia ... The ammonium ion serves a major role in the maintenance of the acid-base balance. In the normal pH range of blood, the NH4+/NH3 /ratio/ is about 100. An ammonium ion via the equilibrium with ammonia is readily taken up. Some evidence exists also for an active transport of the ammonium ion from the intestinal tract. It was shown that ammonia transport by the human colon still occurred when the luminal pH was reduced to 5, where nonionized ammonia would be virtually absent. Absorbed ammonium is transported to the liver and metabolized to urea and excreted via the kidneys. Minor amounts of nitrogen are incorporated in the physiological N-pool. Absorption of sulfate depends on the amount ingested. 30 - 44 % of sulfate was excreted in the 24 hr urine after oral administration of magnesium or sodium sulfate (5.4 g sulfate) in volunteers. At high sulfate doses that exceed intestinal absorption, sulfate is excreted in feces. Intestinal sulfate may bind water into the lumen and cause diarrhea in high doses. Sulfate is a normal constituent of human blood and does not accumulate in tissues. Sulfate levels are regulated by the kidney through a reabsorption mechanism. Sulfate is usually eliminated by renal excretion. It has also an important role in the detoxification of various endogenous and exogenous compounds, as it may combine with these to form soluble sulfate esters that are excreted in the urine.|In rabbit, hamster and guinea pig studies it was demonstrated that (35)S-labeled ammonium sulfate aerosols with a size of 0.3 and 0.6 um (MMAD) reached the lung. However a substantial proportion of the compound was found in the nose. The clearance from the lung (via the blood and urinary tract) was determined to be 18 to 20 min. From the collectable sulfate in the urinary tract 95 % was excreted within 6 hr. The results of clearance studies suggested that there was no species difference. The induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (an enzyme that acts in the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene and other carcinogens) in the lung is not inhibited by ammonium sulfate (there are reports of other air pollutants that cause this effect).

Today`s commercial ammonium sulfate is generally of high purity (> 99 %), with a water content of < or = 0.2% w/w, heavy metals < or = 5 mg/kg and iron < or = 5 mg/kg, and free acid < or = 0.01% w/w.

Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR if necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on the left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Ammonia and related compounds/|Basic treatment: Establish a patent airway (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway, if needed). Suction if necessary. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist ventilations if necessary. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 10 to 15 L/min. Monitor for signs of pulmonary edema and treat if necessary ... . Monitor for shock and treat if necessary ... . For eye contamination, flush eyes immediately with water. Irrigate each eye continuously with 0.9% saline (NS) during transport ... . Do not use emetics. For ingestion, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution if the patent can swallow, has a strong gag reflex, and does not drool ... . Do not attempt to neutralize. /Ammonia and related compounds/|Advanced treatment: Consider orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation for airway control in the patient who is unconscious, has severe pulmonary edema, or is in severe respiratory distress. Positive-pressure ventilation techniques with a bag-valve-mask device may be beneficial. Consider drug therapy for pulmonary edema ... . Consider administering a beta agonist such as albuterol for severe bronchospasm ... . Monitor cardiac rhythm and treat arrhythmias if necessary ... . Start IV administration of D5W /SRP: "To keep open", minimal flow rate/. Use 0.9% saline (NS) or lactated Ringer's (LR) if signs of hypovolemia are present. For hypotension with signs of hypovolemia, administer fluid cautiously. Consider vasopressors if patient is hypotensive with a normal fluid volume. Watch for signs of fluid overload ... . Use proparacaine hydrochloride to assist eye irrigation ... . /Ammonia and related compounds/|Immediate first aid: Ensure that adequate decontamination has been carried out. If patient is not breathing, start artificial respiration, preferably with a demand-valve resuscitator, bag-valve-mask device, or pocket mask, as trained. Perform CPR as necessary. Immediately flush contaminated eyes with gently flowing water. Do not induce vomiting. If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration. Keep patient quiet and maintain normal body temperature. Obtain medical attention. /Sulfur and related compounds/|For more Antidote and Emergency Treatment (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... A panel of 16 laboratory workers (mean age 27 years) inhaled a control NaCl aerosol and the following sulfates: ammonium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, ammonium bisulfate and sulfuric acid. All subjects were non-smokers. A Lovelace generator produced particles with an average MMAD of approximately 0.5-1.0 um (GSD 1.5-2.2) and concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/cu m (as sulfate). At 1 mg/cu m, none of the inhaled sulfates produced significant decreases in specific airway conductance (SGaw) in normal subjects but did produce small changes in flow on the maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) and partial expiratory flow-volume (PEFV) curves. Carbachol bronchoconstriction (decreases in specific airway conductance) was enhanced in relation to the acidity of the sulfates.|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ ... Both healthy and asthmatic adult men were exposed for 2-hour periods (with intermittent exercise) to ammonium sulfate /(0.1 - 0.3 mg/cu m; MMAD 0.3 - 0.6 um)/, ammonium bisulfate, and sulfuric acid of particle size distributions and concentrations intended to simulate "worst case" exposures during Los Angeles smog episodes. Lung function tests were performed by the subjects on entering and before exiting from a carefully controlled environmental chamber. Subject symptoms were evaluated in a standardized manner. Aerosol concentrations and size distributions were determined by an on-line computer/aerometric monitoring system; gravimetric and chemical analyses were performed on impactor and total filter samples after test exposures. We found little or no evidence of adverse health effects from 2-hour multiple-day exposures to any of the compounds at "worst case" ambient concentrations.|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ The effects of sulfate aerosols upon pulmonary function was studied. Normal and asthmatic adult males were exposed for 2 hr on 2 or 3 successive days to diammonium sulfate of size distribution and concentration intended to simulate the worst cases likely to occur in ambient pollution episodes. Little or no evidence of adverse health effects were observed.|/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ In a survey of effects of gaseous and aerosol pollutants in male volunteers, no effect of ammonium sulfate (0.116 mg/cu m) on pulmonary function (19 parameters were measured) was noted. Men were exposed for 4 hr, including 15 min treadmill exercise, at 30 °C and 60% relative humidity.|For more Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (23 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Ammonium Sulfate

Approx. 90% of ammonium sulfate was used directly as fertilizer or processed as multicomponent mixtures. Approx. 10% was used in the chemical industries or processed at metal producing. (2002)

Dry powder, water soluble.|Grades: Commercial; technical; chemically pure; enzyme (no heavy metals); FCC.|The "pure" grade of commerce contains at least 99% ammonium sulfate.|Nalco 60620 (Nalco Company): Active ingredient: ammonium sulfate 20.0%.|Fennosurf 586 (Kemira Chemicals, Inc.): Active ingredient: ammonium sulfate 7.59%.

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting|Sulfuric acid ammonium salt (1:2): ACTIVE|Each year, an estimated 35,000 wells are hydraulically-fractured in the U.S. Although the oil and gas extraction industry as a whole has a relatively higher fatality rate compared to most of the U.S. general industry... there is currently no worker injury/illness or fatality data publicly available for hydraulic fracturing or flowback operations. Regardless of the availability of data, more workers are potentially exposed to the hazards created by hydraulic fracturing and flowback operations due to the large increase in the number of these operations in the past decade. /Hydraulic fracturing/

Aerosols of sulfuric acid, ammonium sulfate & sodium sulfate were continuously measured in lab with sulfur-specific flame photometer. Separation of aerosol sulfur from gaseous sulfur (sulfurdioxide & hydrogen sulfide) was achieved by diffusion stripper upstream of flame photometer.|EPA Method 9035. Colorimetric Automated Chloranilate Method applicable to ground water, drinking and surface waters, and domestic and industrial wastes containing 10 to 400 mg sulfate/L. When solid barium chloranilate is added to a solution containing sulfate, barium sulfate is precipated, releasing the highly colored acid chloranilate. Ions causing interference (calcium, aluminum, and iron) can be removed by passage through an ion exchange column. In a single laboratory, using surface water samples at concentrations of 38, 111, and 294 mg sulfate/L, the standard deviations were +/- 1.0, +/- 2.2, and +/- 0.8, respecitively. In a single laboratory, using surface water samples at concentrations of 82 and 295 mg sulfate/l, recoveries were 99% and 102%, respectively. /Sulfate/|EPA Method 9038. Turbidimetric Method, applicable to ground water, drinking and surface waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. Sulfate ion is converted to a barium sulfate suspension under controlled conditions. The resulting turbidity is determined by a nephelometer, filter photometer, or spectrophotometer and compared with a curve prepared from standard sulfate solution. This method is suitable for all concentration ranges of sulfate; however, to obtain reliable readings, use a sample aliquot containing not more than 40 mg/L of sulfate. The minimum detectable limit is approximately 1 mg/L of sulfate. Silica in concentrations over 500 mg/L will interfere. /Sulfate/|Method 4500-Sulfate ion F. Automated Methylthymol Blue Method for the determination of sulfate ions in water and wastewater. Barium sulfate is formed by the reaction of the sulfate ion with barium chloride at a low pH. At high pH, excess barium reacts with methylthymol blue to produce a blue chelate. The uncomplexed methylthymol blue is gray. The amount of gray uncomplexed methylthymol blue indicates the concentration of sulfate ion. To remove interferences from cations, an ion-exchange column is used. This method is applicable over a range of 10 to 300 mg sulfate ion/L. In a single laboratory a sample with an average concentration of about 28 mg sulfate/l had a standard deviation of 0.68 mg/L and a coefficient of variation of 2.4%. In two samples with added sulfate, recoveries were 91% and 100%. /Sulfate/|For more Analytic Laboratory Methods (Complete) data for Ammonium sulfate (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Food additives|Agrochemicals -> Herbicides|Cosmetics -> Reducing; Viscosity controlling