Ammonium nitrate Safety Data Sheets

Oxidizing solids, Category 3

Eye irritation, Category 2

If inhaled

Following skin contact

Following eye contact

Following ingestion

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or death. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives* - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]: Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. (ERG, 2016)

Liquid irritates eyes, particularly those grades that contain a little free ammonia. (USCG, 1999)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 140 [Oxidizers]: These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. (ERG, 2016)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 112 [Explosives* - Division 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 or 1.5]: MAY EXPLODE AND THROW FRAGMENTS 1600 METERS (1 MILE) OR MORE IF FIRE REACHES CARGO. For information on "Compatibility Group" letters, refer to Glossary section. (ERG, 2016)

Behavior in Fire: Water of solution may evaporate, and remaining solids may then explode. (USCG, 1999)

Use water in large amounts. NO other agents. In case of fire in the surroundings, use appropriate extinguishing media. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water. Combat fire from a sheltered position.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered non-combustible containers. Store and dispose of according to local regulations. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.

Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered non-combustible containers. Store and dispose of according to local regulations. Wash away remainder with plenty of water.

Prompt cleanup and removal are necessary in order to prevent contamination with combustible materials.

NO contact with combustible substances or reducing agents. See Notes. Handling in a well ventilated place. Wear suitable protective clothing. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Use non-sparking tools. Prevent fire caused by electrostatic discharge steam.

Separated from combustible substances and reducing agents. Dry. Well closed.Closed containers may rupture violently when heated.

Occupational Exposure limit values

Biological limit values

Eye/face protection

Skin protection

Respiratory protection

Thermal hazards

Heating may cause violent combustion or explosion. Decomposes on heating. This produces toxic fumes. The substance is a strong oxidant. It reacts with acids and combustible and reducing materials.

Stability during transport: If heated strongly, decomposes, giving off toxic gases and gases which support combustion. Undergoes detonation if heated under confinement.

AMMONIUM NITRATE is a strong oxidizing agent. Intimate ontact with combustible materials creates a fire or explosion hazard. Closed containers may rupture violently or detonate if heated. May detonate if subjected to strong shocks, such as from an explosion. Ammonium nitrate of any grade, including fertilizer grade should be considered, especially when mixed with oil, charcoal, or other organic materials, an explosive capable of detonation by the combustion or explosion of adjacent materials. Emits oxides of nitrogen and ammonia when heated to decomposition.

no data available

With ammonium chloride, (barium nitrate), water, zinc: Addition of water to an intimate mixture of zinc powder and the salts causes spontaneous ignition and a mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride...sprinkled with zinc dust ignites vigorously when moistened.

Decomposes @ 210 deg C, with evolution of nitrous oxide.

Acute toxicity

• Oral: LD50 Rat oral 2217 mg/kg bw
• Inhalation: LC50 - rat - > 88.8 mg/L.
• Dermal: LD50 - rat (male/female) - > 5 000 mg/kg.

Skin corrosion/irritation

Serious eye damage/irritation

Respiratory or skin sensitization

Germ cell mutagenicity

Carcinogenicity

Reproductive toxicity

STOT-single exposure

STOT-repeated exposure

Aspiration hazard

• Toxicity to fish: LC50 - Cyprinus carpio - 447 mg/L - 48 h.
• Toxicity to daphnia and other aquatic invertebrates: EC50 - Daphnia magna - 490 mg/L - 48 h.
• Toxicity to algae: EC50 - several benthic diatoms; see results - > 1 700 mg/L - 10 d.
• Toxicity to microorganisms: EC10 - activated sludge of a predominantly domestic sewage - 180 mg/L - 180 min. Remarks:Respiration rate.

Ammonium nitrate will be taken up by bacteria. Nitrate is more persistent in water than /the/ ammonium ion; nitrate degradation is fastest in anaerobic conditions.

no data available

When spilled on soil, the liquid form of ammonium nitrate will spread on the surface and penetrate into the soil at a rate dependent on the soil type and its water content.

no data available

Product

Contaminated packaging

no data available

no data available

Information on revision

Abbreviations and acronyms

• CAS: Chemical Abstracts Service
• ADR: European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
• RID: Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail
• IMDG: International Maritime Dangerous Goods
• IATA: International Air Transportation Association
• TWA: Time Weighted Average
• STEL: Short term exposure limit
• LC50: Lethal Concentration 50%
• LD50: Lethal Dose 50%
• EC50: Effective Concentration 50%

References

• IPCS - The International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC), website: http://www.ilo.org/dyn/icsc/showcard.home
• HSDB - Hazardous Substances Data Bank, website: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/newtoxnet/hsdb.htm
• IARC - International Agency for Research on Cancer, website: http://www.iarc.fr/
• eChemPortal - The Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances by OECD, website: http://www.echemportal.org/echemportal/index?pageID=0&request_locale=en
• CAMEO Chemicals, website: http://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/search/simple
• ChemIDplus, website: http://chem.sis.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/chemidlite.jsp
• ERG - Emergency Response Guidebook by U.S. Department of Transportation, website: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/library/erg
• Germany GESTIS-database on hazard substance, website: http://www.dguv.de/ifa/gestis/gestis-stoffdatenbank/index-2.jsp
• ECHA - European Chemicals Agency, website: https://echa.europa.eu/

Other Information

UN number 1942 refers to pure ammonium nitrate with not more than 0.2% combustible material.Ammonium nitrate can refer to a range of ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers (with UN number 2067).The physico-chemical properties may vary according to the chemical composition.This ICSC covers pure ammomium nitrate - the properties of fertilizers will be different.Will turn shock-sensitive if contaminated with organic materials.Rinse contaminated clothing with plenty of water because of fire hazard.Depending on the degree of exposure, periodic medical examination is suggested.The storage of pure ammonium nitrate is often regulated - check for local regulations.In the event of a fire, large piles of ammonium nitrate present an explosion hazard. Large piles might need to be dismantled.