Is ammonium nitrate considered a hazardous material?
Ammonium nitrate has moderate toxicity if swallowed. It is not classified as hazardous according to criteria of WorkSafe Australia. Inhalation: High mist concentration of air-borne material may cause irritation to the nose and upper respiratory tract; symptoms may include coughing and sore throat.
How do you handle ammonium nitrate safely?
Ammonium nitrate should normally be stored in single storey, dedicated, well-ventilated buildings that are constructed from materials that will not burn, such as concrete, bricks or steel. Clean the store before it is used for ammonium nitrate.
What class of hazardous material is ammonium nitrate?
Oxidizer
DOT ID #: UN 1942 ERG Guide #: 140 Hazard Class: 5.1 (Oxidizer) Flood with water. DO NOT USE dry chemical, CO2 or halogenated extinguishing agents. POISONOUS GASES ARE PRODUCED IN FIRE, including Nitrogen Oxides and Ammonia.
Is ammonium nitrate safe?
Under normal handling conditions, ammonium nitrate is not harmful. However, inhalation of high concentrations of ammonium nitrate dust can cause respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms may include: coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, or even suffocation.
How do you dispose of nh4no3?
Collected waste may be transferred to a closed, preferably metal, container and sent to a RCRA approved waste disposal facility. Alternatively, sweep spill into noncombustible container and dissolve in large amount of water. Add soda ash. Mix and neutralize with 6M-HCl.
What temperature does ammonium nitrate explode?
400 degrees Fahrenheit
Ammonium nitrate would only explode on its own if its temperature was rapidly raised to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Any carbon-rich fuel—paper, cardboard, or even sugar—can pair with ammonium nitrate to produce more intense energy.
How many people have died from ammonium nitrate?
The Beirut disaster On August 4, 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate in a storage hangar at the Port of Beirut exploded, causing over 300 deaths and 6,000 injuries, as well as enormous property damage, leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless.
How is ammonium nitrate explosion prevented?
ammonium nitrate and ensure that the conditions that may lead to an explosion are not present. Actions that may help to prevent explosions include: x Avoid heating ammonium nitrate in a confined space (e.g., processes involving ammonium nitrate should be designed to avoid this possibility).
Can ammonium nitrate cause an explosion?
When such a large quantity of compacted ammonium nitrate is exposed to intense heat — if, say, an accidental fire breaks out — it can trigger an explosion. The shock wave following a such a blast can be deadly.
Can liquid ammonium nitrate explode?
Although it is not technically classified as an explosive or flammable material, under certain conditions, ammonium nitrate can present a significant explosive threat because it is an oxidizer — an oxygen-rich compound that can accelerate fires or explosions.
What happens if you touch ammonium nitrate?
CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. 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.