Ammonia was initially used to produce explosives. After World War I ammonia was used as a fertilizer and in the manufacture of numerous other chemicals. It is also very commonly used as a refrigerant, often for food processing and cold storage facilities. Anhydrous ammonia has also been used of late as a precursor in the illegal production of the highly addictive drug, methamphetamine. Although it has many uses and the MDA is only responsible for it when used as an agricultural chemical, much of the response information here does carry over to those other uses.
Ammonia was initially used to produce explosives. After World War I ammonia was used as a fertilizer and in the manufacture of numerous other chemicals. It is also very commonly used as a refrigerant, often for food processing and cold storage facilities. Anhydrous ammonia has also been used of late as a precursor in the illegal production of the highly addictive drug, methamphetamine. Although it has many uses and the MDA is only responsible for it when used as an agricultural chemical, much of the response information here does carry over to those other uses.
Ammonia is commercially produced by the reaction of nitrogen from the air and hydrogen gas (from the methane found in natural gas) under high temperature and pressure. This process excludes water thus the term "anhydrous." Fritz Haber of Germany was the first to successfully produce ammonia for which he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Later Carl Bosch refined the process which lead to the first commercial production plant in 1913.
Ammonia is commercially produced by the reaction of nitrogen from the air and hydrogen gas (from the methane found in natural gas) under high temperature and pressure. This process excludes water thus the term "anhydrous." Fritz Haber of Germany was the first to successfully produce ammonia for which he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Later Carl Bosch refined the process which lead to the first commercial production plant in 1913.
- Identity Information: Learn general chemical information and human exposure limits
- Physical & Chemical Properties: Chemical properties under pressure
- Stability & Reactivity: Ammonia is stable but very reactive
- Identity Information: Learn general chemical information and human exposure limits
- Physical & Chemical Properties: Chemical properties under pressure
- Stability & Reactivity: Ammonia is stable but very reactive
- Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Protect yourself and others from ammonia exposure
- Fire Department Response: Planning for and responding to ammonia incidents
- First Aid Information: Anhydrous ammonia exposures can be very serious and possibly life-threatening
- Nurse Tank Anatomy: Knowledge of the tank setup enables responders to control tank releases quickly
- Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Protect yourself and others from ammonia exposure
- Fire Department Response: Planning for and responding to ammonia incidents
- First Aid Information: Anhydrous ammonia exposures can be very serious and possibly life-threatening
- Nurse Tank Anatomy: Knowledge of the tank setup enables responders to control tank releases quickly
- Ammonia Incident Summaries: By learning from others’ experiences, your responses will improve and the public will benefit
- Anhydrous Ammonia Theft: Anhydrous ammonia is a key ingredient in the illegal production of methamphetamines (meth)
- Disposal Options: Water used to knock down an ammonia cloud can contaminate nearby water and soil
- Ecological Effects of Spills: Even at extremely low concentrations aquatic life will be harmed by ammonia.
- Ammonia Incident Summaries: By learning from others’ experiences, your responses will improve and the public will benefit
- Anhydrous Ammonia Theft: Anhydrous ammonia is a key ingredient in the illegal production of methamphetamines (meth)
- Disposal Options: Water used to knock down an ammonia cloud can contaminate nearby water and soil
- Ecological Effects of Spills: Even at extremely low concentrations aquatic life will be harmed by ammonia.