UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Table of Contents
1.
Chemical Product
2.
Composition and Information on Ingredients
3.
Hazards Identification
4.
First Aid Measures
5.
Fire and Explosion Data
6.
Accidental Release Measures
7.
Handling and Storage
8.
Exposure Controls/ Personal Protection
9.
Physical and Chemical Properties
10.
Stability and Reactivity Data
11.
Toxicological Information
12.
Ecological Information
13.
Disposal Considerations
14.
References
15.
Appendices
16.
Revision History
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Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Page
Page 1 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
1.
Product Name: Ammonia
Chemical name: Ammonia
Synonyms: Ammonia anhydrous; Ammonia gas; Anhydrous ammonia; Ammonia liquid;
Big N; Ammonia cylinder
Chemical Formula: NH
3
Composition: Ammonia (99%), Water (1%)
Toxicological Data on Ingredients :
LC50 Inhalation
Vapor 18600 mg/m
3
5 minutes [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Vapor 7040 mg/m
3
30 minutes [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Gas. 17401 ppm 15 minutes [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Gas. 9500 ppm 1 hours [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Gas. 2000 ppm 4 hours [Rat]
Potential Acute Health Effects: Severely irritating to nose, throat, lungs and eyes. Vapour may cause irritation and burns on skin contact while liquid may cause freezing of the tissue followed by corrosive caustic action and dehydration.
Potential Chronic Health Effects: Asthma, chronic respiratory disease, dermatitis and eye
Page 2 of 8

disease may be aggravated.
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not Applicable
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
General measures:
Skin contact: Immediately wash contaminated area with running luke-warm water and soap if material is insoluble. For freeze burns, immediately flood burnt area with large amounts of luke-warm water and cover with a clean, dry dressing. Seek medical assistance.
Serious skin contact: Not Applicable
Eye contact: Immediately wash the eyes with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes while holding the eyelids apart. Seek medical assistance.
Ingestion: Immediately rinse mouth with water and give a glass of water if victim is conscious. If victim is unconscious do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel. Seek medical assistance.
Serious ingestion: Not Applicable
Inhalation: Move victim to a fresh air and loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If patient finds it hard to breathe, ensure airways are clear of any obstruction and have a qualified person give oxygen through a face mask. Apply artificial respiration if patient is not breathing. Seek medical attention.
Serious inhalation: Not Applicable
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Flammability of the Product: Flammable
Auto-Ignition Temperature: 651.11°C (1204°F)
Flash points: Not Applicable
Flammable limits:
Lower: 15%
Upper: 28%
Products of Combustion: Decomposition products may include nitrogen oxides
Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Oxidising materials
Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances: Can form explosive compounds when combined with mercury
Fire fighting media and Instructions: Dry chemical, carbon dioxide or water should be used for surrounding fire. Apply water from a safe distance to cool container and bring down the vapour but should not be sprayed on pools of liquid ammonia. An appropriate respirator should be worn.
Special Remarks on Fire Hazards: Not Applicable
Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards: Not Applicable
NB: Wear appropriate protective equipment/clothing including gloves before removing any spills.
Small spills: Appropriate respiratory equipment must be worn and all persons not equipped must leave the affected area until the leak has been stopped. Small amounts of ammonia can be put down using a fog-water spray.
Large spills : Disperse leaks with water spray or fog to lower concentration of ammonia gas.
Neutralise contaminated area with a dilute acid, and flood with plenty of water.
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UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Keep area isolated until all gas has been dispersed.
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Precautions : Always store full cylinders in upright position and avoid dragging, rolling or sliding cylinders to move them.
Storage: Store in cylinders and place in a well ventilated area on a hard dry surface. Away from sources of heat.
Airborne Exposure Limits:
ACGIH TLV (United States, 2/2010).
STEL: 24 mg/m³ 15 minute(s).
STEL: 35 ppm 15 minute(s).
TWA: 17 mg/m³ 8 hour(s).
TWA: 25 ppm 8 hour(s).
Engineering Controls: Adequate ventilation must be present when using Ammonia. Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation to keep worker exposure to airborne contaminants low
Personal Protection: Appropriate eye wear and respiratory equipment, protective equipment for the skin and hands must be worn.
Physical state and appearance: Colourless gas which turns liquid under pressure
Odour: Strong odour, pungent
Taste: Alkaline
Molecular Weight: 17.04g pH (1% solution/water): 11.7 (1% aqueous solution)
Boiling Point: -33.3°C (-27.9°F)
Melting Point: -77.8°C (-108°F)
Critical Temperature: 132.4°C (270.3°F)
Page 5 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
Specific Gravity (Water = 1): 0.59
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Vapour Pressure (kPa): 882
Vapour Density: 0.6 (Air = 1)
Volatility: 100% by volume
Odour Threshold: 5-53 ppm.
Water/Oil Distribution Coefficient: Not Applicable
Ionicity (in Water): Not Applicable
Dispersion Properties: 0.848 (at 68°F)
Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohol and ether
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
10.
Stability: Stable
Corrosivity: Corrosive to the skin
Instability temperature: > 426°C (800°F)
Conditions of Instability: High temperatures
Incompatibles: Copper, silver, cadmium and zinc and their alloys, mercury, tin, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, halogens and oxidizers
Polymerization: Not Applicable
Toxicity to animals:
LC50 Inhalation
Vapor 18600 mg/m3 5 minutes [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Vapor 7040 mg/m3 30 minutes [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Gas. 17401 ppm 15 minutes [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Page 6 of 8

Gas. 9500 ppm 1 hours [Rat]
LC50 Inhalation
Gas. 2000 ppm 4 hours [Rat]
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Effects on humans:
Acute potential health effects: Severely irritating to nose, throat, lungs and eyes. Vapour may cause irritation and burns on skin contact while liquid may cause freezing of the tissue followed by corrosive caustic action and dehydration.
Chronic potential health effects: Asthma, chronic respiratory disease, dermatitis and eye disease may be aggravated.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not Applicable
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not Applicable
Other information: Ammonia gas is generally lighter than air and will disperse under normal conditions. However, when ammonia liquid contacts air, the gas produced may be heavier than air.
Ecotoxicity: Ammonia has alkaline properties therefore long-term exposure to flora can cause damage. Aquatic fauna can also be affected should the pH of their environment change due to long-term exposure to high concentrations of ammonia.
Daphnia magna (48 hour) LC50 = 189 mg/l
Rainbow trout (24 hour) LC50 = 0.97 mg/l
Fathead minnow (96 hour) LC50 = 8.2 mg/l
Waste Disposal: What is not recycled must be handled as hazardous waste and sent to an approved incinerator or disposed in an approved waste facility. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with local environmental control regulations.
Discard in a container marked WATER SOLUBLE NON-HALOGENATED WASTE.
Page 7 of 8

UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
MATERIAL SAFETY
DATA SHEET
AMMONIA
Ref. No.
MSDS /PD/46_01
Valid for:
2 years from approval
Air Products. Material Safety Data Sheet. [online]. 1999 [cited 2014 Jan 23]. Available from: URL: http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/NH3_gas.pdf
Airgas. Material Safety Data Sheet; Ammonia. [online]. 2011 [cited 2014 Jan 23].
Available from: URL: http://www.airgas.com/documents/pdf/001003.pdf
Orica Chemicals. Safety Data Sheet. [online]. 2013 [cited 2014 Jan 23]. Available from:
URL: http://msds.orica.com/pdf/shess-en-cds-010-000031098301.pdf
Afrox. Material Safety Data Sheet; Ammonia. [online]. 2010 [cited 2014 Jan 23].
Available from: URL: http://www.afrox.co.za/internet.global.corp.zaf/en/images/Ammonia266_27591.pdf
Not applicable
Version Number
01
Amendments/ Reasons for change
Initial Release
Page 8 of 8