Standard Operating Procedures
Laboratory Specific
Chemical: Ammonium Nitrate
Please fill out the form completely. Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Department:________________________
Date when SOP was written:_______
Date when SOP was approved by the lab supervisor: ___________________
Principal Investigator:___________________________________________________
Internal Laboratory Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:___________________________________
Laboratory Phone:____________________ Office Phone:_____________________
Emergency Contact:____________________________________________________
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:__________________________________________
(Building/Room Number)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Type of SOP:
Process
Hazardous Chemical
Hazardous Class
Purpose
Ammonium nitrate is a potentially explosive chemical. If not stored & handled properly, this can
pose a serious threat to the health and safety of laboratory personnel, emergency responders
and chemical waste handlers.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#:
6484-52-2
Class:
Potentially Explosive Chemical
Molecular formula:
NH4NO3
Appearance:
colorless crystals
Odor:
Odorless
Solubility:
118 g/100 g water at 0 °C
Specific Gravity:
1.73 at 23 °C
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pH:
Boiling Point:
5.4
decomposes at 210 °C
Melting Point:
170 °C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Emergency Overview
OSHA Hazards
Oxidizer, Target Organ Effect, Irritant, Carcinogen
Target Organs
Blood, Central nervous system
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Signal word: Warning
Hazard statement(s)
H272 May intensify fire; oxidiser.
H303 May be harmful if swallowed.
H315 Causes skin irritation.
H319 Causes serious eye irritation.
H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statement(s)
P220 Keep/Store away from clothing/ combustible materials.
P261 Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapors/spray
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
Inhalation May be harmful if inhaled. Causes respiratory tract irritation.
Skin May be harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin irritation.
Eyes Causes eye irritation.
Ingestion May be harmful if swallowed.
Strong oxidizer. Contact with oxidizable substances may cause extremely violent combustion.
Sealed containers may rupture when heated. Sensitive to mechanical impact.
Potential Acute Health Effects:
 Inhalation: May cause irritation to the respiratory tract; symptoms may include coughing,
sore throat, and shortness of breath. At high temperatures, exposure to toxic nitrogen
oxides decomposition products can quickly cause acute respiratory problems. Inhalation
of large amounts causes systemic acidosis and abnormal hemoglobin.
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Ingestion: Large oral doses of nitrates may cause dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting,
bloody diarrhea, weakness, convulsions, and collapse. Harmful if swallowed. May cause
methemoglobinemia resulting in cyanosis.
Skin Contact: Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact: Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Potential Chronic Health Effects:
 Small repeated oral doses of nitrates may cause weakness, depression, headache, and
mental impairment.
Basic Training Requirements

Lab personnel working with Ammonium Nitrate must have attended the ‘Lab Safety
Fundamental Concepts’ (LSFC) classroom training offered by EH&S. Please refer to the
link below for training schedule and enrollment information:
http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1003938#Laboratory_Safety

Lab personnel working with Ammonium Nitrate must read and sign this SOP on the last
page.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respiratory protection
General guidelines: Respirators should be used only under any the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility
that PEL will be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
 There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the
absence of PEL)
 As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S.
This is a regulatory requirement. (http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1004655)
Hand protection
Handle with one of the types of gloves: Nitrile/Neoprene/Natural Rubber/Butyl Rubber/PVC/Viton
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact
with Ammonium Nitrate.
Wash and dry hands.
Eye protection
Safety goggles.
Skin and body protection
Fire/flame resistant lab coat (100% cotton based)
Cotton based clothing/attire.
Full length pants or equivalent
Close toed shoes
Hygiene measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing.
Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling Ammonium Nitrate.
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Engineering Controls

Safety shielding shall be used for any operation having the potential for explosion,
including the following situations:
 When a reaction is attempted for the first time (small quantities of reactants should be
used to minimize hazards);
 When a familiar reaction is carried out on a larger than usual scale (i.e., 5-10 times
more material); or

When operations are carried out under non-ambient conditions.
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Shields must be placed so that all personnel in the area are protected from hazard.
All operations involving PECs and dilutions should be carried out in a EH&S certified
fume hood to keep airborne level below recommended exposure limits.

Chemical fume hoods must have a face velocity of 100 lfm, averaged over the face of the
hood and must be certified annually.

Laboratory rooms must be at negative pressure with respect to the corridors and external
environment. The laboratory/room door must be kept closed at all times.
First Aid Procedures
Skin & Eye Exposure:
Minor skin contact requires washing with water. Soaking or
flushing contaminated areas of the skin with water for periods up
to 15 minutes is required if a large area comes into contact with
the chemical, or if prolonged contact occurs. Contaminated
clothing may hold the chemicals in contact with the skin without
being immediately noticed.
In the event of eye contact, the eye should be immediately be
flushed with water. If the chemical is very irritating, it is likely that
the affected individual will require assistance to hold the eye
open during the flushing.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large
quantities of water. Never give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person. Get medical attention immediately. Get
medical attention immediately.
Inhalation:
Remove rapidly to clean air. Administer rescue breathing if
necessary and call emergency services. Seek medical attention
if needed.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
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Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area.
Protect against physical damage.
Isolate from any source of heat or ignition.
Avoid storage on wood surfaces.
Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product
residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.
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Do not store with organic solvents or acids
Do not store near combustibles
Do not store near high heat
Designated Areas

Ammonium nitrate must be handled inside the fume hood.

Ammonium nitrate need to be secondarily contained and labeled as “EXPLOSION RISK”
and Oxidizer.

Signage is required for the container, designated work area and storage location. Sign
wording must state the following:
“EXPLOSION RISK & STRONG OXIDIZER”
Spill and Accident Procedure
Fire-fighting measures
Suitable extinguishing media
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special protective equipment for fire-fighters
Wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for fire-fighting if necessary.
Further information
Use water spray to cool unopened containers.
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and x59797
Accidental Release/Spill – Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. Eliminate sources of ignition if the chemical is flammable. If possible,
confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material. Keep others from entering
contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Dial 911 from campus phone or 310-825-1491 from cell phone and EH&S Hotline at 310-8259797 for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in
emergency shower for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S
at x59797 immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with
water for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor
and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
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Medical Emergency Dial 911 or x52111
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911
(or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) or contact the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) directly at x52111 (located at 757 Westwood Plaza, enter from Gayley
Avenue). Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency– Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF),
x56771, CHS room 67-120 (This is on the 6th floor, 7th corridor, room 120. Enter through the
School of Dentistry on Tiverton Drive and proceed to the “O” elevator to the 6th floor.)Hours: M F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center
(emergency room) at x52111. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797
within 8 hours.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
No waste streams containing PECs shall be disposed of in sinks. Decontaminate work space with
70-75% ethanol. Wash hands and arms with soap and water after finished.
Waste containers containing PEC must be labeled:
“EXPLOSION RISK”
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
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Label Waste
o Affix an on-line hazardous waste tag on all waste containers using the Online
Tag Program http://otp.ucop.edu/ as soon as the first drop of waste is added to
the container
Store Waste
o Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a
designated location
o Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
http://map.ais.ucla.edu/go/1002774
o Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste
o Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
o Call EH&S at x61887 for questions
o Empty Containers
 Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste
(irrespective of the container size)
http://ehs.ucla.edu/Pub/ExtremelyHazardousWaste.pdf
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
http://ehs.ucla.edu/pub/HazWaste%20Pickup%20Schedule.pdf
o Prepare for transport to pick-up location
 Check on-line waste tag
 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag
 Use secondary containment
 Wear eye protection & closed toe shoes; bring gloves
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Location
Hardcopy or electronic copy of the MSDS must be available
Online MSDS can be accessed at http://msds.ehs.ucla.edu.
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Protocol/Procedure:
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Wear appropriate PPE (goggles, fire resistant (cotton) lab coat/apron, gloves, closed
toe shoes) before working with Ammonium Nitrate
Place stock bottle back in the designated storage cabinet with cap tightly closed
Refer to experimental protocols located in the experimental procedures manual for
usage details
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)
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Prior to conducting any work with ammonium nitrate, designated personnel must provide
training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with
this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
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The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this
SOP and a copy of the ammonium nitrate MSDS provided by the manufacturer.
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The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended
appropriate laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last two years.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
Name
Signature
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Date