#Dilute ammonia solution hazards skin

#Dilute ammonia solution hazards skin

Skin Contact: Ammonia gas may cause skin irritation especially where skin is moist (perspiration). Contact emergency management services (EMS). Remove contact lenses if it can be done safely.

First Aid for Eye Contact: Immediately flush eyes for at least 15 minutes keeping the eyelids open.

Contact lenses should never be worn when working with ammonia. Even low air ammonia concentrations can be very irritating to the eyes. If the ammonia release hasn't been controlled, remove patient from the “hot zone” and rapidly decontaminate with water according to the following guidelines:Įye Contact: The extent of eye injury is dependent upon the duration of the exposure and concentration of the gas or liquid. Ample quantities of fresh water must be available. Rescuers need to be trained on scene safety and attired in proper personal protective clothing which should include self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to prevent themselves from becoming casualties. Also, a child's respiratory system will suffer the affects of ammonia exposure more so than an adult because children have a greater lung surface area relative to their body weight. After decontamination no special protective clothing is required for those caring for the injured.īe aware that children are much more vulnerable to ammonia injury because of their larger surface area to body weight ratio. First aid consists of decontamination, maintaining open airway, and respiration support followed by rapid transport to an advanced medical care facility. There is no antidote for ammonia poisoning.

Released liquid anhydrous ammonia has a temperature of -28☏. As liquid ammonia vaporizes it pulls heat away from body tissue causing frostbite in an instant. Once ammonia extracts water from body tissue it forms ammonium hydroxide that can chemically burn tissue. Is the result of the strong base formed when ammonia combines with water from body tissue.

Anhydrous ammonia will extract water from body tissue. Is the result of ammonia's great attraction for water.

When anhydrous ammonia gas or liquid comes in contact with the human body three types of injuries may result: Our eyes and lungs contain much more water than this rendering our vision (eyes) and breathing (respiratory system) especially at risk to the hazards of ammonia exposure. The human body consists of 70 percent water by weight. When anhydrous ammonia vapor or liquid comes in contact with water it forms the corrosive alkaline ammonium hydroxide. Water is the most important emergency treatment given for anhydrous ammonia exposures before advanced medical services arrive.Īnhydrous ammonia is hydrophilic which is to say it has a strong affinity for water.