AMMONIUM NITRATE CASRN

AMMONIUM NITRATE
CASRN: 6484-52-2
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/f?./temp/~AAA6ZaqOl:27

Human Health Effects:

Human Toxicity Excerpts:

NITRATE SALTS AS SUCH ARE NO MORE TOXIC THAN OTHER NEUTRAL SALTS, BUT IF NOT PROMPTLY ABSORBED, THEY MAY BE REDUCED TO NITRITES BY BACTERIA IN THE BOWEL. CYANOSIS AMONG INFANTS WHO DRINK WELL WATER IS A FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED CLINICAL MANIFESTATION OF NITRATE TOXICITY. /NITRATE SALTS/
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. II-124]**PEER REVIEWED**

... WITH LARGE DOSES ... THERE ARISES POSSIBILITY OF SUFFICIENT ABSORPTION TO PRODUCE DIURESIS ... .
[Gosselin, R.E., R.P. Smith, H.C. Hodge. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 5th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1984.,p. II-123]**PEER REVIEWED**

Volunteers, 20 normal and 19 asthmatic, were exposed to clean air and to ammonium nitrate aerosol under conditions which simulated a worst case ambient pollution episode. Exposures of 200 ug/cu m lasted for 2 hours with intermittent exercise and heat stress. No noticeable changes in pulmonary function or overall reported symptoms were observed due to the ammonium nitrate exposure.
[Kleinman MT et al; Environ Res 21 (2): 317-26 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

231 normal male human subjects were exposed for 4 hours to ammonium nitrate aerosols. Each subject had two 15 min exercise sessions on a treadmill at 4 mph & 20% grade. Temp conditions were 30 deg C and relative humidity was 60%. A battery of 19 measurements of pulmonary function was performed. No significant effects from ammonium nitrate aerosol was produced.
[Stacy RW et al; Arch Environ Health 38 (2): 104-15 (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Inhalation is irritating to mucous membranes of respiratory tract, causes severe lung congestion, coughing, and difficult breathing, causes urination and acid urine.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium nitrate (Draft) p.60 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Inhalation of large amounts causes systemic acidosis and abnormal hemoglobin.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium nitrate (Draft) p.60 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

SUMMARY TOXICITY STATEMENT: LOW VIA IRRITATION, ALLERGEN. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF FAINTNESS & LOW BLOOD PRESSURE IN WORKERS EXPOSED. THESE SYMPTOMS COULD BE DUE TO NITRITES PRESENT AS IMPURITIES.
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 264]**PEER REVIEWED**

Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:

Irritating to eyes, nose, and throat, and mucous membranes.
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

As a result of the blasting agent used in mines, ammonium nitrate, workers are subjected to air pollution in mines which poses an occupational health hazard.
[Cocalis JC; Mining target environmental surveillance study; nitropropane sensitized, ammonium nitrate blasting agents; NIOSH Report (Iss Order No PB83-213876): 1-23 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Animal Toxicity Studies:

Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts:

... FERTILIZERS CONTAINING AMMONIUM NITRATE...CAN CAUSE ILLNESS IN POULTRY. ... /IN/ SHEEP A SINGLE ORAL DOSE OF 2 G/KG CAUSED DEATH IN 12 HR TO 17 DAYS AFTER ADMIN; REPEATED DOSES OF 0.25 G/KG FOR 30 DAYS OR 0.5 G/KG FOR 10 DAYS WERE TOLERATED.
[Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981. 25]**PEER REVIEWED**

CHRONIC POISONING ... CHARACTERIZED BY SWOLLEN & HYPEREMIC MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF ABOMASUM & CATARRHAL INFLAMMATION OF SMALL INTESTINE. IN SHEEP ... GENERAL PASSIVE HYPEREMIA & PETECHIAE IN MUSCLES, HEART, THYMUS & LUNGS. CLOUDY SWELLING & NECROTIC FOCI WERE OBSERVED IN KIDNEY TUBULES. IN GOATS ... /FROM CHRONIC POISONING/ ACUTE CATARRHAL GASTROENTERITIS & BRONCHITIS, NEPHROSIS, PERI-BRONCHIAL & INTRA-ALVEOLAR HEMORRHAGES, & CONGESTION, HEMORRHAGES & DEGENERATIVE CHANGES IN CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM /WERE OBSERVED/.
[Clarke, M. L., D. G. Harvey and D. J. Humphreys. Veterinary Toxicology. 2nd ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1981. 27]**PEER REVIEWED**

... AMMONIUM SALTS GENERALLY HAVE SUCH LOW TOXICITY TO CORNEA THAT THEY PRODUCE NO DAMAGE DURING EXPOSURES OF SEVERAL MIN ... 0.1 MOLAR AMMONIUM ... NITRATE ... AT PH 7-7.5 MADE UP TO 0.46 OSMOLAR ... BY ADDITION OF NACL OR SUCROSE & DRIPPED CONTINUOUSLY ON EYES OF RABBITS CAUSED EDEMA OF EPITHELIUM OF CORNEA WITHIN 3-3.5 HR.
[Grant, W.M. Toxicology of the Eye. 3rd ed. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1986. 92]**PEER REVIEWED**

RUMINANTS ... MAY ... DEVELOP METHEMOGLOBINEMIA BY CONSUMPTION OF QUANTITIES OF NITRATE. THIS IS DUE TO REDUCING ENVIRONMENT OF RUMEN, RESULTING IN RAPID CONVERSION OF NITRATES TO MORE TOXIC NITRITES. ... CHRONIC NITRATE INTOXICATION DUE TO LONG-TERM INGESTION OF LOW LEVELS OF NITRATE FROM EITHER WATER OR FEED SUPPLIES. CHRONIC CONDITION IN CATTLE ... RELATES TO INCR NITRATES IN THE DIET. CLINICAL SIGNS ARE NONSPECIFIC, BUT OFTEN INVOLVE DECR WT GAIN & FEED EFFICIENCY, DECR MILK PRODN, POOR REPRODUCTIVE CAPACITY & IMPAIRED HEALTH OF EPITHELIAL TISSUES AS EXPRESSED BY DIGESTIVE TRACT AND RESPIRATORY DISORDERS. /NITRATES/
[Casarett, L.J., and J. Doull. Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., 1975. 706]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate can cause illness in poultry.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.55 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

400 mg/l has been suggested as a toxic limit for livestock.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.55 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

pH and water hardness are important in determining toxicity.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.56 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The min lethal toxicity of ... ammonium nitrate ... for Rana temporaria chensinensis tadpoles was 0.91 g/l, and the max tolerance concn was 0.83 g/l. In field experiments, ammonium nitrate at concn of 0.25 g/l had no adverse effect on the tadpoles as reflected by their growth rate.
[Wang Z; Dongwuxue Zazhi 5: 14-15 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Acute toxicity was studied of N fertilizers for Daphnia magna, Planaria tigrina, and Poecilia reticulata in experiments lasting 120 hours in water of pH 6.0-6.5 or 7.5-7.8. With the increasing pH, the effects of preparations with an NH4+ ion increased. The most sensitive to industrial N fertilizers was P tigrina. ... The order of preparations according to their acute toxicity on the water animals was: urea much less than Ca(NO3)2 much less than DAM 390 < ammonium nitrate and (NH4)2SO4. ... DAM 390 is relatively toxic, and ammonium nitrate and (NH4)2SO4 are toxic.
[Svec J; Cesk Hyg 29 (3): 141-147 (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ammonium nitrate has caused poisoning in cattle.
[Humphreys, D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. London, England: Bailliere Tindell, 1988. 16]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sources of nitrates which may cause intoxication include fertilizers containing ... ammonium nitrate, well water, swill prepared with contaiminated water from such sources and commercial dynamite. The principal hazard to livestock is due to the accumulation of nitrate by certain plants when they grow on soils containing an excess of this material. These plants include many weeds and when conditions such as drought are unfavorable for growth, barley, wheat, rye hay, and other common foodstuffs. Sublethal doses of the herbicide 2,4-D may also cause an excessive accumulation of nitrate in treated weeds and sugar beet plants. Due to lowered activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase, the nitrate levels found in plants are higher on dull days and at night.
[Humphreys, D.J. Veterinary Toxicology. 3rd ed. London, England: Bailliere Tindell, 1988. 65]**PEER REVIEWED**

Non-Human Toxicity Values:

LD50 Rat oral 4500 mg/kg.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.59 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ecotoxicity Values:

LD50 Aspergillus niger (fungus) 15 mg/l/40 hr (36 deg C).
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.56 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Metabolism/Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption, Distribution & Excretion:

12 Healthy volunteers ingested orally 7-10.5 g ammonium nitrate in a single dose & 12 others received 9.5 g of sodium nitrate iv in approx 60 min. Samples of blood, saliva & urine were collected just before a 24 hr period. Saliva and urine were analyzed for volatile N-nitrosamines, nitrate & nitrite. Blood was analyzed for nitrate. Neither in urine nor in saliva were N-nitrosamines other than N-nitrosodiethylamine detected. Of the 188 urine samples, 13% contained greater than 0.1 ug N-nitrosodiethylamine/kg the highest level being 0.5 ug/kg. In 92% of the 179 saliva samples, less than 0.5 ug N-nitrosodiethylamine/l was found. Peak values for nitrate plus nitrite in saliva, which were reached 2-6 hr after intake, varied strongly between individuals, ranging from 4-43 mmol/l. Nitrite was detected in 26% of the urine samples. An average of 75% of administered nitrate was excreted in urine in 24 hr. Nitrate contents in blood, urine & saliva after 24 hr were still higher than before the nitrate intake.
[Ellen G et al; IARC Sci Publ 41 (N-nitroso Cmpd: Occurrence Biol Eff): 365-78 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Pharmacology:

Therapeutic Uses:

ACID FORMING SALTS ... ARE EFFECTIVE ONLY IN PROMOTING NET LOSS OF EXTRACELLULAR ELECTROLYTE & WATER FOR PERIOD OF 1-2 DAYS. ... CHIEF VALUE IS TO COMPENSATE FOR ALKALOSIS INDUCED BY MERCURIAL DIURETICS, HIGH-CEILING DIURETICS, & LESS COMMONLY THE THIAZIDES. /SRP: FORMER USE/
[Goodman, L.S., and A. Gilman. (eds.) The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1975. 823]**PEER REVIEWED**

MEDICATION (VET): IT HAS BEEN USED AS EXPECTORANT & URINARY ACIDIFIER
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**QC REVIEWED**

Environmental Fate & Exposure:

Probable Routes of Human Exposure:

Natural Pollution Sources:

Does not occur in nature
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V2 525 (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental Fate:

Aquatic: Ammonium nitrate is a nutrient in water. Spills of ammonium nitrate may cause massive algal blooms in static waters and affect local species population balance in the aquatic environment.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.1 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ammonium nitrate is quite soluble in water (250 g/100 ml at 20 deg C). Thus, if precipitation occurs prior to clean up, or if water is used to disperse the spilled chemical, the solution of ammonium nitrate produced can infiltrate the soil and migrate downward toward the groundwater system.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.45 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental Biodegradation:

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.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.57 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Soil Adsorption/Mobility:

When spilled on soil, the liquid form will spread on the surface and penetrate into the soil at a rate dependent on the soil type and its water content.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.25 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Volatilization from Water/Soil:

The immediate loss of fertilizer nitrogen as nitrous oxide (biochemical & microbiological) into the atmosphere was determined by in situ measurements of the nitrous oxide evolution rates from uncultivated Eolian sand. The net loss was equivalent to 0.1% of the applied fertilizer for ammonium chloride, 0.05% for ammonium nitrate & 0.01% for sodium nitrate. The total immediate loss of nitrous oxide-nitrogen after application of mineral fertilizer is estimated to be 0.004-1.2 teragram/yr.
[Conrad R, Seiler W; Atmos Environ 14 (5): 555-8 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sediment/Soil Concentrations:

The effects of nitrogen sources on nitrates and ammonium concn in leachate & runoff from golf greens were studied. All profiles were equipped with subsurface tile drains over a plastic sheet and were treated sequentially with the ammonium nitrate, ureaformaldehyde, 12-12-12, Milorganite & isobutylenediurea (IBDU). Nitrate concn in leachate from sand, mixed & soil greens fertilized with quick release materials ranged from 45-326, 8-314 & 8-170 mg/l, respectively & remained in this range for a 3-wk period. Nitrate nitrogen losses from various sources were in the order of ammonium nitrate greater than 12-12-12 greater than Milorganite greater than IBDU greater than ureaformaldehyde. Soluble sources, ammonium nitrate and 12-12-12 exhibited leaching within 5 days after application.
[Brown KW et al; Agron J 74 (6): 947-50 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Atmospheric Concentrations:

The total suspended particulate in the ambient aerosol in the 24 hr period measurements exceeds the Federal secondary standard, 150 ug/cu m, 10% of the time. The maximum 4 hr mass measurements for the total mass and fine mass fractions are 307 and 204 ug/cu m, respectively. The fine fraction of the total suspended particulate with diameter less than 2.5 mu consisting of organic carbon 23.7; ammonium nitrate 20.0, elemental carbon 16.8, ammonium sulfate 13.6, & others constitutes 42 to more than 50% of the aerosol.
[Countess RJ et al; Denver, Colorado, USA aerosol - a comprehensive chemical characterization; Proc, Annu Meet - Air Pollut Control Assoc 73 (5): 1-24 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Environmental Standards & Regulations:

FIFRA Requirements:

Ammonium nitrate is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a desiccant or defoliant in the production of cottonseed, grain sorghum, peppers, potatoes, sweet potatoes.
[40 CFR 180.1018 (7/1/91)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ammonium nitrate is exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used as a adjuvant/intensifier for herbicides in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops only.
[40 CFR 180.1001(d) (7/1/91)]**PEER REVIEWED**

FDA Requirements:

Bottled water shall, when a composite of analytical units of equal volume from a sample is examined by the methods described in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section, meet the standards of chemical quality and shall not contain nitrate, as nitrogen, in excess of 10.0 mg/l. /Nitrate, as nitrogen/
[21 CFR 103.35 (4/1/91)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Allowable Tolerances:

Chemical/Physical Properties:

Molecular Formula:

H4-N2-O3
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Molecular Weight:

80.06
[U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety Health. Registry ofToxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). National Library of Medicine's current MEDLARS file.,p. 84/8312]**PEER REVIEWED**

Color/Form:

COLORLESS RHOMBIC CRYSTALS; MONOCLINIC WHEN TEMP IS GREATER THAN 32.1 DEG C
[Lide, D.R. (ed). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 72nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1991-1992.,p. 4-39]**PEER REVIEWED**

TRANSPARENT CRYSTALS OR WHITE GRANULES; FIVE SOLID PHASES EXIST AT NORMAL PRESSURE; ORTHORHOMBIC @ ROOM TEMP
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Colorless (pure) to gray or brown (fertilizer grade).
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Odor:

Odorless
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Boiling Point:

210 DEG C AT 11 MM HG
[Lide, D.R. (ed). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 72nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1991-1992.,p. 4-39]**PEER REVIEWED**

Melting Point:

169.6 DEG C
[Lide, D.R. (ed). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 72nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1991-1992.,p. 4-39]**PEER REVIEWED**

Density/Specific Gravity:

1.725 @ 25 DEG C
[Lide, D.R. (ed). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 72nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1991-1992.,p. 4-39]**PEER REVIEWED**

pH:

0.1 M soln in water: 5.43
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Solubilities:

118.3 G/100 CC OF H2O @ 0 DEG C, 871 G @ 100 DEG C; 3.8 G/100 CC ETHANOL @ 20 DEG C; SOL IN ACETONE; 17.1 G/100 CC METHANOL @ 20 DEG C; SOL IN AMMONIA; INSOL IN ETHER
[Lide, D.R. (ed). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 72nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1991-1992.,p. 4-39]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sol in alkalies
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 69]**PEER REVIEWED**

Other Chemical/Physical Properties:

DECOMP ABOUT 210 DEG C MOSTLY INTO WATER AND NITROGEN OXIDE; HYGROSCOPIC, DELIQUESCENT
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Latent heat of fusion 6.110 kJ/mol
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Latent heat of sublimation 174.5 kJ/mol at 20 deg C.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Heat of formation -339.9 kJ/mol at 25 deg C.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Heat of solution -27.1 kJ/mol at 18 deg C and infinite dilution.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Heat capacity at constant pressure 139 J/mol deg C at 25 deg C.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Coefficient of thermal expansion 9.82X10-4/deg C.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Thermal conductivity 0.25 J/m X sec X deg C at 20 deg C.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammoniumnitrate (Draft) p.4 (1982)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chemical Safety & Handling:

DOT Emergency Guidelines:

Fire or explosion: 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. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

Health: 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. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

Public safety: CALL Emergency Response Telephone Number on Shipping Paper first. If Shipping Paper not available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover. Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 10 to 25 meters (30 to 80 feet) in all directions. Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind. Keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

Protective clothing: Wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Structural firefighters' protective clothing will only provide limited protection. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

Evacuation: Large spill: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet). Fire: If tank, rail car or tank truck is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

Fire: Small fires: Do not use dry chemicals, CO2, Halon or foams. Use water only. Large fires: Flood fire area with water from a distance. Move containers from fire area if you can do it without risk. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from the ends of tanks. For massive fire, use unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

Spill or leak: Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers. Small dry spills: With clean shovel place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area. Small liquid spills: Use a non-combustible material like vermiculite, sand or earth to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal. Large spills: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Following product recovery, flush area with water. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

First aid: Move victim to fresh air. Call emergency medical care. Apply artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. Keep victim warm and quiet. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved, and take precautions to protect themselves. /Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. 1996 North American Emergency Response Guidebook. A Guidebook for First Responders During the Initial Phase of aHazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Incident. U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of HazardousMaterials Initiatives and Training (DHM-50), Washington, D.C. (1996).,p. G-140]**QC REVIEWED**

/Ammonium nitrate, liquid (hot concentrated solution); Ammonium nitrate solution, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances; Ammonium nitrate, with organic coating/
[U.S. Department of Transportation. Emergency Response Guidebook 1990. DOT P 5800.5. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1990.,p. G-35]**QC REVIEWED**

Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations:

NFPA Hazard Classification:

Health: 1. 1= Materials that, on exposure, would cause irritation, but only minor residual injury, including those requiring the use of an approved air-purifying respirator. These materials are only slightly hazardous to health and only breathing protection is needed. /Non-fire situation/
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-26]**PEER REVIEWED**

Health: 2. 2= Materials that, on intense or continued (but not chronic) exposure, could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury, including those requiring the use of respiratory protective equipment that has an independent air supply. These materials are hazardous to health, but areas may be entered freely if personnel are provided with full-face mask self-contained breathing apparatus that provides complete eye protection. /Fire situation/
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-26]**PEER REVIEWED**

Flammability: 0. 0= Includes any material that will not burn.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-26]**PEER REVIEWED**

Reactivity: 3. 3= Includes materials that, in themselves, are capable of detonation, explosive decomposition, or explosive reaction, but which require a strong initiating source or heating under confinement. This includes materials that are sensitive to thermal and mechanical shock at elevated temperatures and pressures and materials that react explosively with water. Fires involving these materials should be fought from a protected location.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-26]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fire Fighting Procedures:

If fire becomes uncontrollable, evacuate for a radius of 5,000 feet.
[Bureau of Explosives; Emergency Handling of Haz Matl in Surface Trans p.28 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cool exposed containers with water. Continue cooling after fire has been extinguished.
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Use flooding quantities of water. Fight fire from protected location or maximum possible distance. Approach fire from upwind to avoid hazardous vapors and toxic decomposition products. Fire situations may require evacuation.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-27]**PEER REVIEWED**

Toxic Combustion Products:

[Bureau of Explosives; Emergency Handling of Haz Matl in Surface Trans p.30 (1981)] Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires involving this material.
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Explosive Limits & Potential:

MAY EXPLODE UNDER CONFINEMENT AND HIGH TEMPERATURES. EXPLOSIONS HAVE OCCURRED IN SHIP'S HOLDS, ETC. THERE HAVE BEEN WAREHOUSE FIRES THAT DID NOT DETONATE.
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 265]**PEER REVIEWED**

IN THE PURE STATE IT REQUIRES A COMBINATION OF AN INITIATOR AND A HIGH EXPLOSIVE. THIS COMBINATION IS KNOWN AS A REINFORCED DETONATOR. ...IN COMBINATION WITH NITRO COMPOUNDS (EG TNT) FORMS ONE OF THE MAJOR HIGH EXPLOSIVES FOR MILITARY USE.
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 2002]**PEER REVIEWED**

A mixture of these chemicals is used as an explosive. /Sodium perchlorate & ammonium nitrate/
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-197]**PEER REVIEWED**

Strong oxidizer. If heated under confinement, material may explode. Ammonium nitrate of any grade, including fertilizer, when contaminated with oil, charcoal, or other organic materials should be considered an explosive capable of detonation by combustion or by explosion of adjacent explosive materials. Combustion by-products include oxides of nitrogen, ammonia. Closed containers may rupture violently when heated.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-27]**PEER REVIEWED**

Hazardous Reactivities & Incompatibilities:

The decomposition of ammonium nitrate in the presence of ammonium chloride (0.1%) becomes violent around 175 deg C. The gases liberated contain chlorine.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-22]**PEER REVIEWED**

With ammonium chloride, (barium nitrate), water, zinc: Addition of water to an intimate mixture of zinc powder and the metal salts causes spontaneous ignition and a mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium chloride...sprinkled with zinc dust ignites vigorously when moistened.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1196]**PEER REVIEWED**

Mixtures of ammonium nitrate with charcoal and metal oxides: The pelleted explosive ("ammonpulver", containing 10% charcoal) normally ignites at 160-165 deg C, but presence of rust, or copper or zinc oxides, lowers the temperature to 80-120 deg C.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1197]**PEER REVIEWED**

With fertilizer materials: Mixtures of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and organic materials stored in bulk may ignite if the internal temperature exceeds 90 deg C. This is owing to the free acid in the superphosphate, and may be prevented by neutralization with ammonia.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1197]**PEER REVIEWED**

During the flame cutting of a pipeline plugged with impure ammonium nitrate, the pipe contents exploded violently.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-22]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fused ammonium nitrate with powdered metal is often a violent and sometimes an explosive reaction. Zinc, cadmium, copper, magnesium, lead, cobalt, nickel, bismuth, chromium, and antimony are the metals that reacted in this way.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-22]**PEER REVIEWED**

A mixture of white (or yellow) phosphorus & ammonium nitrate can be exploded by percussion.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-159]**PEER REVIEWED**

A mixture of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate can easily be exploded by potassium or sodium-potassium alloy.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-167]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sodium and ammonium nitrate react through a series of reductions to form a yellow explosive substance believed to be disodium nitrite.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-187]**PEER REVIEWED**

The two substances /zinc and ammonium nitrate/ are mixed intimately and wetted with 3 or 4 drops of water. After a short time, a violent reaction occurs with the evolution of steam and zinc oxide.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 491M-223]**PEER REVIEWED**

Explodes more readily if contaminated with combustible /materials/.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 69]**PEER REVIEWED**

With copper iron (II) sulfide: During preparations for blasting the sulfide mineral copper pyrites, ammonium nitrate based cartridges exploded prematurely in the blast holes. This was attributed to exothermic interaction of acid groundwater with the sulfide-oxidant combination.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1197]**PEER REVIEWED**

With metals: Shock sensitivity of mixtures of ammonium nitrate and powdered metals decreases in the order titanium, tin, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, lead, iron, antimony, and copper.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1198]**PEER REVIEWED**

With urea: concentrated solutions of ammonium nitrate and urea exploded during large scale mixing operations. Although the cause was not established, hazards /associated with/ these operations are discussed in relation to the circumstances.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1199]**PEER REVIEWED**

With potassium permanganate: Admixture of 0.5% potassium permanganate with an ammonium nitrate explosive caused an explosion 7 hr later. This was /due/ to formation and exothermic decomposition of ammonium permanganate leading to ignition.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 3rd ed. Boston, MA: Butterworths, 1985. 1244]**PEER REVIEWED**

Reacts violently with reducing agents, strong acids, powdered metals, organic materials.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-27]**PEER REVIEWED**

Hazardous Decomposition:

Decomposes @ 210 deg C, with evolution of nitrous oxide.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 69]**PEER REVIEWED**

When heated to decomp ... emits highly toxic fumes of /nitrogen oxides/.
[Sax, N.I. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. 6th ed. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1984. 265]**QC REVIEWED**

Prior History of Accidents:

Explosions ascribed to ammonium nitrate occurred in 1947 at Texas City and at Brest.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Protective Equipment & Clothing:

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ... SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR NORMAL PROCESS WORK AS PROTECTION AGAINST EYE SPLASHES, ACID BURNS, DERMATITIS & SKIN ABSORPTION ... PERSONAL HYGIENE IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WHEN HARMFUL NITRO-COMPD ARE BEING PRODUCED & MANIPULATED. /EXPLOSIVES/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 809]**PEER REVIEWED**

Wear boots, protective gloves, and goggles.
[Bureau of Explosives; Emergency Handling of Haz Matl in Surface Trans p.28 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Preventive Measures:

Do not handle broken packages without protective equipment.
[Bureau of Explosives; Emergency Handling of Haz Matl in Surface Trans p.28 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Eliminate sources of ignition including traffic and equipment.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.2 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Restrict access to spill site. Issue warning: "Oxidizer".
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.1 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Overheating during manufacture (above 121 deg C) must be avoided due to explosion potential.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.10 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Store on clean concrete floors, or on wooden pallets, dunnage or on any type of clean floor. When stored directly on a concrete floor, the floor should be covered first with a moisture insulator such as polyethylene sheet. Bags of ammonium nitrate should be stored not less than 30 inches away from the walls of a storage building. The bags should be stacked, and made accessible, with proper ventilation provided. Stacks should be not more than 8 ft wide and 7 ft high. Where applicable, the bags should be kept at least 36 inches from the eaves and from support beams and rafters overhead. Open flames, sparks and other sources of heat should be kept 50 ft away from storage areas of bags. Smoking within 50 ft of storage areas must be prohibited. Emptied bags should be disposed of promptly and properly.
[ITII. Toxic and Hazardous Industrial Chemicals Safety Manual. Tokyo, Japan: The International Technical Information Institute, 1988. 34]**PEER REVIEWED**

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit 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.
**PEER REVIEWED**

Stability/Shelf Life:

Stability during transport: If heated strongly, decomposes, giving off toxic gases and gases which support combustion. Undergoes detonation if heated under confinement.
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Shipment Methods and Regulations:

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)./
[49 CFR 171.2 (7/1/96)]**QC REVIEWED**

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.
[IATA. Dangerous Goods Regulations. 38th ed. Montreal, Canada and Geneva, Switzerland: International Air Transport Association, Dangerous Goods Board, January, 1997. 97]**QC REVIEWED**

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.
[IMDG; International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code; International Maritime Organization p.1102,5014,5014-1 (1988)]**QC REVIEWED**

Storage Conditions:

KEEP WELL CLOSED.
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

Separate from acids, alkalies, reducing agents, combustible materials. Store in a cool, dry well ventilated location.
[National Fire Protection Guide. Fire Protection Guide on Hazardous Materials. 10 th ed. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association, 1991.,p. 49-27]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cleanup Methods:

AIR OR WASTE GAS FROM MFR OF GRANULATED AMMONIUM NITRATE ARE TREATED WITH ATOMIZED WATER & STEAM TO DISSOLVE AMMONIUM NITRATE DUST. MIST CONTAINING AMMONIUM NITRATE IN SOLN IS REMOVED FROM AIR OR WASTE GAS IN DEMISTERS.
[GRANOWSKI W ET AL; POL PATENT NUMBER 83926 2/15/77 (INSTYTUT NAWOZOW SZTUCZNYCH; PULAWY (CA, 90, 156444S)]**PEER REVIEWED**

AMMONIUM NITRATE PRILLING TOWERS EMIT FUME CONTAINING AMMONIUM NITRATE PARTICLES LESS THAN 1 MU. THIS WASTE GAS IS TREATED BY MIST OF AMMONIUM NITRATE SOLN IN VENTURI SCRUBBER & AGGLOMERATED PARTICLES ARE FILTERED. THE AMMONIUM NITRATE IS RECOVERED.
[BROWN ML; SCRUBBER SYSTEM FOR AMMONIUM NITRATE PRILL TOWERS; ENVIRON SYMP (PROC) 293-9 (1976)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Stop the flow and contain spill, if safe to do so.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.2 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spills on land: Contain if necessary by forming mechanical and/or chemical barriers to prevent spreading and shovel spilled material into non- combustible containers for disposal.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.67 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spills on land: Spilled material can be dissolved in large amounts of water, soda ash added and mixed. The mixture is then neutralized with 6M hydrogen chloride.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.67 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Spills in water: Activated carbon can be applied, at 10% the spill amount, over the region occupied by 10 mg/l or greater concentration. Mechanical dredges or lifts may be used to remove immobilized masses of pollutants.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.67 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

An ion exchange process has been used successfully to treat waste streams ranging in solute concn from 1,700 to 11,000 ppm. The process uses a classical demineralization system.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V10 114 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Disposal Methods:

Remove slowly into a large container of water. Add Na2CO3 /sodium carbonate/ slightly by stirring. After 24 hr, decant or siphon into another container. Neutralize with 6 M-HCL /6 M-hydrochloric acid/ and drain into the sewer with abundant water. Recommendable methods: Landfill, discharge to sewer, chemical treatment, sea disposal. Not recommendable method: Thermal destruction. Peer-review: Care. Ammonia nitrate can explode if heated. Do not mix with organic material. Small amounts only: Landfill. Dilute with much water and discharge to sewer. Large amounts of ammonia in landfill leachate may make disposal of leachate difficult. Treatment with sodium or calcium hydroxide will liberate ammonia which should be collected, dissolved in water and reused. Residue to sewer well diluted. Sea disposal is an option for large amounts of this material. (Peer-review conclusions of an IRPTC expert consultation (May 1985))
[United Nations. Treatment and Disposal Methods for Waste Chemicals (IRPTC File). Data Profile Series No. 5. Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations Environmental Programme, Dec. 1985. 85]**PEER REVIEWED**

If incinerated, scrubbers are required for nitrogen dioxide and oxidation or reduction process for nitrogen oxide.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.68 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Following treatment either at the spill site or at a waste management facility, the resultant sludge can be disposed in a secure landfill.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.68 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Occupational Exposure Standards:

Manufacturing/Use Information:

Major Uses:

IN FREEZING MIXTURES; MFR OF MATCHES & PYROTECHNICS
[Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989. 86]**PEER REVIEWED**

DIRECT APPLICATION NITROGEN FERTILIZER; CHEM INT FOR NITROUS OXIDE; COMPONENT OF MIXT WITH FUEL OIL FOR INDUST EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING AGENTS
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

IN COSMETIC PREPN
[Arena, J.M. Poisoning: Toxicology-Symptoms Treatments. Third Edition. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974. 81]**PEER REVIEWED**

HERBICIDES & INSECTICIDES; ABSORBENT FOR NITROGEN OXIDES; OXIDIZER IN SOLID ROCKET PROPELLANTS; NUTRIENT FOR ANTIBIOTICS & YEAST; CATALYST
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 69]**PEER REVIEWED**

Used as a desiccant for cotton.
[Farm Chemicals Handbook, 1985. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publ. Co., 1985.,p. C-18]**PEER REVIEWED**

/As a propellant oxidizer/, ammonium nitrate has been used in slow burning propellants and where smokeless exhaust is required.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V9 635 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

The extensive use of ammonium nitrate in ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) and water based commercial explosives has revolutionized the industry and displaced the nitroglycerin based dynamites.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V9 600 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

AMMONIUM NITRATE IS FOUND IN HAIR DYES, TINTS, & COLORINGS.
[Arena, J.M. Poisoning: Toxicology-Symptoms Treatments. Third Edition. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1974. 81]**PEER REVIEWED**

Used in military explosives such as amatols, ammonals, manols, and amatexes as a partial replacement for alpha-2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX).
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V9 601 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

MEDICATION (VET)
**QC REVIEWED**

Manufacturers:

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc, Hq, Allentown, PA 18195-1501, (215) 481-4911; Chemicals Group, (800) 345-3148; Industrial Chemicals Division; Production site: Pace, FL 32571
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Arcadian Corp, Hq, 6750 Poplar Ave, Suite 600, Memphis, TN 38138, (901) 758-5200; Production sites: Geismar, LA 70734; Augusta, GA 30903; Clinton, IA 52732; La Platte, NE 68005; Savannah, GA 31418; Wilmington, NC 28402
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Apache Nitrogen Products Co, Hq, PO Box 700, Bensen, AZ 85602, (602) 720-2217; Production site: Benson, AZ 85602
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

BP America, Inc, Hq, 200 Public Sq, Cleveland, OH 44114-2375, (216) 586-4141; Subsidiary: BP Chemicals America, Inc; Production site: Lima, OH 45802
[SRI. 1989 Directory of Chemical Producers - United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1989. 462]**PEER REVIEWED**

CF Industries, Inc, Hq, Salem Lake Dr, Long Grove, IL 60047, (708) 438-9500; Production site: Donaldsonville, LA 70346
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chevron Corporation, Hq, 225 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94104, (415) 894-7700; Subsidiary: Chevron Chemical Company; Chevron Fertilizer Division, 6001 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583-0947; Production sites: Kennewick, WA 99336; St Helens, OR 97051; Richmond, CA 94804
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

The Coastal Corp, Hq, Coastal Tower, 9 Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX 77046, (713) 877-1400; Subsidiary: Coastal Natural Gas Co; Subsidiary: Coastal Chemical Inc; Production site: Cheyenne, WY 82003
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Cominco American Incorporated, Hq, 601 West Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201, (509) 747-6111; Cominco Fertilizer Division, Production site: Beatrice, NE 68310
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Explosives Technologies International, Hq, Rockwood Office Park, 501 Carr Rd, Suite 200, Wilmington, Delaware 19802, (302) 761-1900; Production site: Seneca, IL 61360
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Farmland Industries, Inc, Hq, 3315 North Oak Trafficway, PO Box 7305, Kansas City, MO 64116, (816) 459-6000; Production sites: Dodge City, KS 67801; Lawrence, KS 66044; Beatrice, NE 68310
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Inspiration Resources Corporation, Hq; Subsidiary: Terra International, Inc, Terra Centre, 600 Fourth St, Sioux City, IA 51101, (712) 277-1340; Production site: Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054; Woodward, OK 73801
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

IRECO Inc, Hq, 11th floor, Crossroads Tower, Salt Lake City, UT 84144, (801) 364-4800; Production sites: Donora, PA 15033; Louisiana, MO 63353
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

La Roche Holdings Inc, Hq, La Roche Industries, Inc, Perimeter 400 Center, 1100 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342, (404) 851-0300; Production sites: Cherokee, AL 35616; Crystal City, MO 63019; Geneva, UT 84601
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

LSB Industries, Hq, 16 S Pennsylvania Ave, PO Box 754, Oklahoma City, OK 73101, (405) 235-4546; Subsidiary: El Dorado Chemical Co, Production site: El Dorado, AR 71730
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Mississippi Chemical Corporation, Hq, PO Box 388, Yazoo City, MS 39194, (601) 746-4131; Production site: Yazoo City, MS 39194
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitram, Inc, Hq, 5321 Hartford St, PO Box 2968, Tampa, FL 33601, (813) 626-2181 Production site: Tampa, FL 83601
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

J R Simplot Co, Hq, PO Box 912, Pocatello, ID 83204, (208) 238-2700; Minerals and Chemical Division; Production sites: Helm, CA 93627; Pocatello, ID 83204
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

TradeMark Nitrogen Corp, Hq, 1216 Old Hopewell Rd, PO Box 1750, Brandon, FL 33509, (813) 626-1181; Production site: Tampa, FL 33619
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Unocal Corporation, Hq, 1201 W Fifth St, PO Box 7600, Los Angeles, CA 90051, (213) 977-7600; Unocal Minerals and Chemicals Division; Agricultural Products Group Production sites: Brea, CA 92621; West Sacramento, CA 95691
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Willard Grain and Feed, Hq, Route 2, Box 41, Celina, TX 75009, (214) 382-2367; Wil-Gro Fertilizer, Inc, division, PO Box 2129 Pryor, OK 74362; Production site: Pryor, OK 74362
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 466]**PEER REVIEWED**

Methods of Manufacturing:

REACTION OF NITRIC ACID & AMMONIA IN THE PRESENCE OF WATER
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

Reacting calcium nitrate by-product from nitrophosphate plants with nitric acid and carbon dioxide.
[CONSIDINE. CHEMICAL AND PROCESS TECHNOL ENCYC 1974 p.472]**PEER REVIEWED**

General Manufacturing Information:

FERTILIZER INSTITUTE STATES THAT FERTILIZER GRADE OF AMMONIUM NITRATE IS NOT EXPLOSIVE.
[Hawley, G.G. The Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 10th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1981. 61]**PEER REVIEWED**

Very greatly accelerated use of a combustible sensitized ammonium nitrate started in 1955 when mixtures were packaged in plastic, waterproof bags for use in large diameter boreholes, mainly in coal mining stripping operations. Within 3 yr, porous prilled ammonium nitrate, a product of the fertilizer industry, which had a rather large particle size, was tested extensively in both Canada and the USA in approx a 94/6 ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixture. The mixture known as AN/FO was not desensitized by moderately damp conditions, and in wet operations was often protected adequately by enclosure in polyethylene bags. Later on, the majority of blasting in the USA was done with AN/FO and similar nitrate types of explosives. /Explosives/
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 807]**PEER REVIEWED**

WITH AMMONIUM CHLORIDE OR AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE
[Farm Chemicals Handbook 1992. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publishing Co., 1992.,p. C-22]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ammonium nitrate changes its crystal form every time it passes through a temperature of 90 deg F. It also absorbs moisture rapidly from the air when the humidity exceeds about 60%. The exact percent varies with the temperature. In dry atmospheres the material dries out. Both these processes cause the particles to knit together. The tendency to cake can be greatly reduced by coating the dry material with 2-4% of a conditioning agent such as kieselguhr, kaolin, clay, or tricalcium phosphate, and storing in moisture proof bags.
[Farm Chemicals Handbook, 1985. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publ. Co., 1985.,p. B-18]**PEER REVIEWED**

The ammonium salt of nitric acid is prepared by treating the acid with ammonia, removing essentially all of the water, and prilling or granulating the resulting melt. Various processes have been developed and used to prepare the solid product. These include crystallization, flaking, prilling, and granulation. Prilling is the predominant practice. Two types of prills are produced: (1) low- density prills are formed by cooling droplets of concentrated solution (95%) of ammonium nitrate as they fall through upcoming air in a prill tower, and (2) high-density prills are produced by using a melt (99+%) of ammonium nitrate in a similar system but with a shorter prill tower.
[Farm Chemicals Handbook, 1985. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publ. Co., 1985.,p. B-18]**PEER REVIEWED**

With cyanoguanidine (dicyandiamide): Mixtures of cyanoquanidine with ammonium nitrate were formerly proposed for use as powerful explosives.
[Bretherick, L. Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards. 2nd ed. Boston MA: Butterworths, 1979. 374]**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitric acid, initially derived from ammonia, is the starting material for ammonium nitrate, and other nitrogen compounds used in the manufacture of explosives.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V2 511 (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**

May be made resistant to flame and detonation by proprietary process involving addition of 5 - 10% ammonium phosphate.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 69]**PEER REVIEWED**

Formulations/Preparations:

Grades: usually expressed in percent of nitrogen, as 20.5% nitrogen; 33.5% nitrogen. FGAN is fertilizer grade, prilled & usually coated with kieselguhr. Also avail as 83% soln. Temp stabilized grade is ... available which inhibits breakdown of prills due to crystalline changes.
[Sax, N.I. and R.J. Lewis, Sr. (eds.). Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary. 11th ed. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., 1987. 69]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fertilizer grade: 33.5% nitrogen.
[U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation. CHRIS - Hazardous Chemical Data. Volume II. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984-5.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Granular ammonium nitrate can be produced in almost any desired size range and has greater crushing strength than prills.
[Farm Chemicals Handbook, 1985. Willoughby, OH: Meister Publ. Co., 1985.]**PEER REVIEWED**

Fertilizer nitrates including high grade or straight ammonium nitrate, AN (33-34% N); ammonium sulfate-nitrate, ASN (26%N), and calcium-ammonium nitrate, CAN (20.5-28% N)
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V10 47 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

ANFO consists of 94% ammonium nitrate prills coated with an anti-caking agent and 6% absorbed fuel oil.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V9 602 (1980)]**PEER REVIEWED**

For use in explosives-99% purity, water content of not more than 0.15%, should contain only small amounts of ether-soluble and water insoluble materials, sulfates & chlorides; 99.5% purity for nitrous oxide manufacture, ammonium phosphate is sometimes introduced as a stabilizer in the amount of a fraction of a percent.
[Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. 3rd ed., Volumes 1-26. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, 1978-1984.,p. V2 531 (1978)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Impurities:

Ammonium nitrate fertilizer contains no more than 2% carbon.
[Bureau of Explosives; Hazardous Matls Regs of DOT p.30 (1984) ICC No. BOE-6000D]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ammonium nitrate, solution contains not less than 15% water.
[Bureau of Explosives; Hazardous Matls Regs of DOT p.30 (1984) ICC No. BOE-6000D]**PEER REVIEWED**

Consumption Patterns:

84% IN FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS; 16% IN PRODN OF EXPLOSIVES & BLASTING AGENTS; LESS THAN 1% AS A CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATE FOR NITROUS OXIDE (1975)
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

Demand 14.4 B lb (1978), up 2.3%/yr from 1968.
[NIOSH; Current Awareness Listing (1984)]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. Production:

(1972) 6.4X10+12 GRAMS
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1975) 6.78X10+12 G
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1985) 6.27X10+12 g
[Chem Eng News 64(23): 35 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1990) 14.16 billion lb
[Chem & Engineering News 70 (15): 17 (4/13/92)]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1991) 14.62 billion lb
[Chem & Engineering News 70 (15): 17 (4/13/92)]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1991) 2.82X10+6 metric tons
[SRI. 1992 Directory of Chemical Producers-United States of America. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International, 1992. 467]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1992) 15.66 billion lb
[Chem & Engineering News 72 (15): 13 (4/11/94)]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1993) 16.79 billion lb
[Chem & Engineering News 72 (15): 13 (4/11/94)]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. Imports:

(1972) 3.29X10+11 GRAMS (EST)
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1975) 1.82X10+11 GRAMS (EST)
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1984) 1.14x10+11 g
[BUREAU OF THE CENSUS. U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION AND GENERAL IMPORTS 1984 p.1-346]**PEER REVIEWED**

U. S. Exports:

(1972) 2.54X10+10 GRAMS (EST)
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

(1975) 3.18X10+10 GRAMS (EST)
[SRI]**PEER REVIEWED**

Laboratory Methods:

Analytic Laboratory Methods:

GRAINS, MEALS, SUPPLEMENTS, DRIED PLANTS, HAYS, GRASSES, SILAGES & PRODUCTS; COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION. /NITRATES/
[Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis. 10th ed. and supplements. Washington, DC: Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 1965. New editions through13th ed. plus supplements, 1982.,p. 12/132 7.030]**PEER REVIEWED**

Ion chromatography: An aliquot is injected into a suitable ion chromatograph and the retention time and peak height noted. Nitrate is then determined using a standard curve. Operating conditions for the ion chromatograph are: 3.1 ml/min eluent flow rate, ambient column temperature, standard eluent which is 0.003 molar sodium bicarbonate and 0.0024 molar sodium carbonate, 100 ul sample loop, conductivity meter setting at 10uMHO full scale, and a chart speed of 40 cm/hr. A range of 0.1 to 25.4 ppm nitrate in the extract may be determined using ion chromatography. This is equivalent to between 28 and 7,055 ug/cu m (0.01 to 2.16 ppm in air) of 0.1 to 25.4 ppm in water.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.71 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Analysis in Soil: A 5 g sample of 2 mm soil is shaken for 60 min with 50 ml of 2M potassium chloride solution. The solution is boiled for 15 min with solid magnesium oxide to remove any ammonia, cooled, filtered, and diluted to 50 ml. A suitable aliquot of extract is transferred to a distillation flask. A boric acid solution is prepared by dissolving 20 g boric acid in 900 ml of water and adding 20 ml mixed indicator. The indicator is prepared by dissolving 0.1 g bromocrescol green and 0.07 g methyl red in 100 ml of ethanol. Sodium hydroxide (O.1M) is then added drop-wise until a reddish-purple color is obtained. The column is then brought up to 1 liter. A 5 ml aliquot of the boric acid solution is transferred to a suitable conical flask beneath the condenser which is attached to the distillation flask. 0.5 g of magnesium oxide is added to the sample extract and and the flask is stopped. The contents are steam distilled into the boric acid solution. A 35 ml volume of distillate is collected and discarded. A 1 ml volume of 2% aqueous sulfuric acid is added and the solution is swirled. 0.2 g of Devarda's alloy is added to the distillation flask. Devarda's alloy is prepared by combining 50 g copper, 45 g aluminum, and 5 g zinc. The contents are steam distilled into a fresh 5 ml portion of boric acid solution. A 30 ml volume of distillate is collected and titrated with standardized hydrochloric acid.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.73 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Method 9200. Colorimetric Method for the determination of nitrate in ground water, drinking, surface, and saline waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. Modification can be made to remove or correct for turbidity, color, salinity, or dissolved organic compounds in the sample. The method is based upon the reaction of the nitrate ion with the brucine sulfate in a 13 N sulfuric acid solution at a temperature of 100 deg C. The color of the resulting complex is measured at 410 nm. Temperature control of the color extremely critical. The applicable range of concentration is 0.1 to 2 mg nitrate nitrogen/l of sample. Twenty-seven analysts in fifteen laboratories analyzed natural-water samples containing increments of inorganic nitrate with the following results: For the increments of the exact 0.16, 0.19, 0.08, and 1.24 mg/l, the standard deviation was 0.092, 0.083, 0.245, and 0.214 mg/l, respectively and the accuracy was -0.01, +0.02, +0.04, and +0.04 mg/l, respectively. /Nitrate/
[USEPA; Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste SW-846 (1986)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 4500-Nitrate Ion E. Cadmium Reduction Method for the determination of nitrate nitrogen in water and wastewater. This method uses commercially available cadmium granules treated with copper sulfate to form a copper coating. The nitrite produced is determined by diazotizing with sulfanilamide and coupling with N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine to form a highly colored azo dye that is measured colorimetrically. Interferences include iron, copper and other metals at concentrations above 1 mg/l, and residual chlorine. The appliable range of this method is 0.01 to 1.0 mg nitrate-nitrogen/l. The method is especially recommended for nitrate levels below 0.1 mg nitrogen/l where other methods lack adequate sensitivity. /Nitrate/
[Franson MA, ed; Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th ed p.4-135 (1989)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 418 D. Chromotropic Acid Method for determination of nitrate nitrogen in water and wastewater. Nitrate /ion/ reacts with one mole of chromotropic acid to form a yellow reaction product with maximum absorbance at 410 nm.The maximum color develops within 10 min and is stable for 24 hr. The method is recommended for the concn range 0.1 to 5 mg nitrate nitrogen/l. A synthetic sample containing 1.00 mg nitrate nitrogen/l was analyzed by 5 laboratories with a relative standard deviattion of 8% and relative error of 3%. /Nitrate/
[Franson MA, ed; Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 16th ed p.397-8 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Determination of nitrate in cheese by modified Jones reduction method. Applicable to cheeses containing greater than or equal to 1 ppm nitrate. /Nitrate/
[Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis. 15th ed. and Supplements. Washington, DC: Association of Analytical Chemists, 1990,p. V2 843]**PEER REVIEWED**

Determination of nitrogen (nitrate) in fertilizers by using Jones modification of Robertson method. Applicable when water soluble newton (10 dynes) need to be determined. /Nitrate/
[Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis. 15th ed. and Supplements. Washington, DC: Association of Analytical Chemists, 1990,p. V1 20]**PEER REVIEWED**

Determination of nitrogen (nitrate) in water by brucine colorimetric method. Nitrate ion reacts with brucine in sulfuric acid at 100 deg to form colored cmpd whose absorbance is measured at 410 nm. Temperature control of reaction is critical. /Nitrate/
[Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis. 15th ed. and Supplements. Washington, DC: Association of Analytical Chemists, 1990,p. V1 320]**PEER REVIEWED**

Method 418E. Dvarda's Alloy Reduction Method for the determination of nitrate nitrogen in water and wastewater. This method is recommended for oxidized nitrogen concn greater than 2 mg/l. In this technique, nitrate ion and nitrite ion are reduced to ammonia under hot alkaline conditions in the presence of a reducing agent, Devarda's alloy (an alloy of 50% copper, 45% aluminum and 5% zinc). Under hot alkaline conditions, the ammonia formed distills and is trapped in a receiving flask containing boric acid. The ammonia can be determined either by direct nesslerization or acidimetrically. For the determination of nitrate nitrogen. A separate determination of nitrogen dioxide should be made and subtracted, otherwise the result is reported as "total oxidized nitrogen." The recovery of 200 to 400 ug nitrate nitrogen from partially treated effluents was found to average 96% with a coefficient of variation of 7.7%. /Nitrate/
[Franson MA, ed; Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 16th ed p.398-9 (1985)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sampling Procedures:

A known volume of air is drawn through a 37 mm diameter cellulose-ester filter of 0.8 um pore size or a minimum volume of 2 liters of liquid is collected. A sample size of 90 liters is recommended at a flow rate between 1.5 and 2.0 liters per min. The sample filter is then transferred to a 60 ml container with tweezers and extracted with 25 ml of distilled water by gentle swirling.
[Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) p.71 (1981)]**PEER REVIEWED**

Special References:

Special Reports:

Environment Canada; Tech Info for Problem Spills: Ammonium Nitrate (Draft) (1981)

Synonyms and Identifiers:

Synonyms:

AMMONIUM (I) NITRATE (1:1)
**PEER REVIEWED**

Caswell No. 045
**PEER REVIEWED**

EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 076101
**PEER REVIEWED**

German saltpeter
**PEER REVIEWED**

HERCO PRILLS
**PEER REVIEWED**

Merco Prills
**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitram
**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitrate d'ammonium (French)
**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitrate of ammonia
**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitrato amonico (Spanish)
**PEER REVIEWED**

Nitric acid, ammonium salt
**PEER REVIEWED**

Norway saltpeter
**PEER REVIEWED**

VARIOFORM I
**PEER REVIEWED**

Formulations/Preparations:

Shipping Name/ Number DOT/UN/NA/IMO:

UN 2426; Ammonium nitrate, solution (containing 35% water); Ammonium nitrate, liquid (not concentrated solution)

UN 0223; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers: which is more liable to explode than ammonium nitrate with 0.2% combustible substances, including any organic substances calculated as carbon, to the exclusion of any other added substances.

IMO 5.1; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers, Type A, uniform non segregating mixtures of ammonium nitrate with added matter which is inorganic and chemically inert towards ammonium nitrate, containing not less than 90% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.2% of combustible material (including organic material calculated as carbon), or containing less than 90% but more than 70% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total combustible material; Uniform non segregating mixtures of nitrogen/phosphate or nitrogen/potash types or complete fertilizers of nitrogen/phosphate/potash type, containing more than 70% but less than 90% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total combustible material.

IMO 1.1; Ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which is more liable to explode than ammonium nitrate, with more than 0.2% by weight of combustible substances, including any organic substance calculated as carbon, to the exclusion of any other added substance.

IMO 9.0; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers, Type B. Uniform non-segregating mixtures of nitrogen/phosphate or nitrogen potash types or complete fertilizers of nitrogen/phosphate/potash type, containing not more than 70% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total added combustible material or containing, not more than 45% of ammonium nitrate with unrestricted combustible material.

UN 1942; Ammonium nitrate, with not more than 0.2% of combustible substance including any organic substance calculated as carbon, to the exclusion of any other added substance.

UN 2067; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers, Type A, uniform non segregating mixtures of ammonium nitrate with added matter which is inorganic and chemically inert towards ammonium nitrate, containing not less than 90% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.2% of combustible material (including organic material calculated as carbon), or containing less than 90% but more than 70% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total combustible material.

UN 2068; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers: Uniform non segregating mixtures of ammonium nitrate with calcium carbonate and/or dolomite, containing more than 80% but less than 90% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total combustible material; Ammonium nitrate - carbonate mixture.

UN 2069; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers: Uniform non segregating mixtures of ammonium nitrate/ammonium sulfate, with more than 45% but not more than 70% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total combustible material.

UN 2070; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers: Uniform non segregating mixtures of nitrogen/phosphate or nitrogen/ potash types or complete fertilizers of nitrogen/phosphate/potash type, containing more than 70% but less than 90% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total combustible material.

UN 2071; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers, Type B. Uniform non segregating mixtures of nitrogen/phosphate or nitrogen/potash types or complete fertilizers of nitrogen/phosphate/potash type, containing not more than 70% of ammonium nitrate and not more than 0.4% of total added combustible material or containing, not more than 45% of ammonium nitrate with unrestricted combustible material.

UN 0222; Ammonium nitrate, with more than 0.2% by weight of combustible substances, including any organic substance calculated as carbon, to the exclusion of any other added substance.

NA 1942; Ammonium nitrate, (no organic coating)

UN 2072; Ammonium nitrate fertilizers, not otherwise specified

Standard Transportation Number:

49 183 12; Ammonium nitrate, organic coating

49 183 10; Ammonium nitrate fertilizer, containing no more than 0.2% carbon

49 187 05; Ammonium nitrate mixed fertilizer

49 187 74; Ammonium nitrate, solution, containing not less than 15% water

49 183 11; Ammonium nitrate (no organic coating)

49 187 34; Ammonium nitrate-carbonate mixture

49 029 10; Ammonium nitrate-fuel oil mixture (containing only prilled ammonium nitrate and fuel oil)

49 187 04; Ammonium nitrate-phosphate

49 187 03; Ammonium nitrate, magnesia, and pulp mixture (oxidizing material)

49 187 02; Ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate mixture (oxidizing material)

RTECS Number:

NIOSH/BR9050000

Administrative Information:

Hazardous Substances Databank Number: 475

Last Revision Date: 20020114

Last Review Date: Reviewed by SRP on 11/30/1992