What Is Anhydrous Ammonia?
April 18, 2013
Firefighters at the scene of a massive fertilizer plant explosion in Texas were concerned Wednesday night about anhydrous ammonia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anhydrous ammonia is a pungent gas with suffocating fumes that is used as a fertilizer.
When exposed to humans, it can cause various problems:
� Anhydrous means without water
� Anhydrous ammonia can rapidly cause dehydration and severe burns if it combines with water in the body
� Symptoms can include breathing difficulty; irritation of the eyes, nose or throat; burns or blisters.
� Exposure to high concentrations can lead to death.
� Victims require treatment with large quantities of water for at least 15 minutes
� It must be stored at high pressure, according to the University of Minnesota.
� It is a low-cost, highly effective nitrogen-based fertilizer, the University of Arkansas said.
� It is one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen.
� When released, the vapors initially move close to the ground, causing greater risk for exposure.

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Posted by Ken at 4:50 AM