Anhydrous ammonia is one of the most efficient and widely used sources of nitrogen for plant growth. The advantages of ammonia's relatively easy application and ready availability have led to its increased use as a fertilizer on Missouri farms.
Anhydrous ammonia also has disadvantages, especially in its handling. It must be stored and handled under high pressure, which requires specially designed and well-maintained equipment. Workers also must be trained to handle this product and to follow strict work procedures to ensure operator safety.
What is anhydrous ammonia (NH3), and why is it so risky to handle? It is a chemical made up of one part nitrogen (N) and three parts hydrogen (H3). The physical properties of this fertilizer make it one of the most potentially dangerous chemicals on the farm.
Anhydrous means without water. Consequently, when anhydrous ammonia and moisture come into contact, they rapidly combine. When it is injected into the soil, the liquid ammonia expands into a gas and is readily absorbed in the soil moisture. Similarly, the liquid or gas that contacts body tissue - especially the eyes, skin and respiratory tract - will cause dehydration, cell destruction and severe chemical burns. Victims exposed to even small amounts of ammonia require immediate treatment to avoid permanent injury.
| Table 1. Concentration of anhydrous ammonia vapor. | ||
| PPM(parts per million) | Percent by volume | Effects on the human body |
| 5 | 0.005 | Detectable by almost all persons. Some people complain of nose irritation after 5 minutes |
| 134 | 0.0134 | Most people experience dryness and irritation of nose, throat and eyes. |
| 700 | 0.07 | Coughing. Severe eye irritation, if not treated, may lead to partial or total loss of sight. |
| 1700 | 0.17 | Serious lung damage, death unless treated. |
| 2000 | 0.2 | Burns and blisters skin after a few seconds of exposure. |
| 5000 | 0.5 | Death by suffocation within minutes. |
Under atmospheric temperature and pressure, anhydrous ammonia is a colorless gas with a sharp, penetrating odor. For use as an agricultural fertilizer, it is compressed into a liquid resembling water. In the liquid state, under pressure, it is stored in specially made tanks strong enough to withstand internal pressures of a minimum of 250 pounds per square inch (psi). As the outside temperatures increase, the temperature of the anhydrous ammonia increases, causing the vapor pressure in the tan to increase. For example, at 60ø F, the pressure is 93 psi and at 100ø F, the pressure is nearly 200 psi.
Ammonia is corrosive to certain metals and their alloys, such as copper and zinc. Galvanized pipe and brass fittings must not be used with equipment used for storing or applying ammonia. Containers should be made of high-strength steel or other suitable material and fittings should be made of black iron.
ACCIDENTS WITH ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
All of the above accident situations can result in injury, extensive property damage or both.
To minimize the chance of an accident, take steps to ensure all equipment is in top operating condition. Be sure all agricultural workers handling or applying ammonia have been specially trained in equipment maintenance and operation, proper personal protective equipment and emergency first aid.
OPERATOR PROTECTION
A face shield or goggles, rubber gloves and a heavy-duty long-sleeved shirt are recommended as minimum protection for operators routinely handling ammonia. Wear gloves and eye protection whenever you are working on or operating anhydrous equipment or handling hoses.
It is important to wear properly fitting goggles or a face shield when working with ammonia. A face shield will help prevent you from breathing a direct blast of ammonia and also will reduce possible eye exposure. Regular glasses do not provide adequate protection. Never wear contact lenses when working with ammonia. Ammonia might get under the lenses and cause permanent eye damage before you can remove the lenses and flush your eyes with water.
Loose-fitting rubber gloves with an extended cuff are recommended for handling anhydrous ammonia. Turn the extended cuff down so ammonia does not run down your sleeve when you raise your arms. You can remove gloves that fit loosely in case of an emergency.
You can further protect your arms from splashes by wearing heavy-duty clothing such as coveralls or work shirts that cover your arms. Thin dress shirts or short sleeves don't provide satisfactory protection.
If you store bulk quantities of anhydrous ammonia on your farm, you will need additional protective equipment. Keep two rainsuits or slickers and gas masks with an ammonia canister filter available for emergency work. The protection from a canister filter is limited and you should only use it in low concentrations of ammonia. When a serious leak occurs, call your local fire department for assistance. Firefighters have the proper training and equipment - including a self-contained breathing apparatus and protective suit to deal with major ammonia leaks where high concentrations of ammonia are probably present.
The operator's manual for anhydrous ammonia equipment should include instructions on proper procedures and protective equipment to use when handling ammonia. Review this information before operating the equipment.
FIRST AID = WATER + WATER + WATER
Regulations require that all farm vehicles used for anhydrous ammonia carry a container filled with at least 5 gallons of water. This water must be readily available for flushing the eyes and skin in case of exposure. You should change the water daily to ensure you have a clean supply.
Safety specialists recommend you keep a second 5-gallon container of water on the tractor. This provides another source of water for first aid in case the tractor operator is unable to reach the water container on the nurse or applicator tank. You should also carry a 6- to 8-ounce, water-filled plastic eye wash bottle in your shirt pocket. It provides an immediate supply of water if an accident does occur. The objective of the eye wash bottle is to get the excess ammonia out of the eyes in the first few seconds until you or the victim can get to the larger water supply to continue flushing.
When a victim has been exposed to anhydrous ammonia, move him or her to a safe place and flush the exposed area immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing as soon as you have thawed them out. (Remember, the sub-zero temperature of anhydrous ammonia can freeze exposed clothing to skin below it. If you remove clothing before you thaw it with rinse water, extensive skin damage can result.)
Do not apply salves, creams or ointments. They won't stop the damaging action to skin. Contact a doctor immediately after emergency first aid treatment.
Even if small amounts of ammonia enter the eyes, irrigate them immediately with water for 15 minutes or more. Hold the eyelids open during irrigation to ensure water contacts all parts of the eye. Immediate first aid is important to avoid partial or total loss of vision. Again, consult a doctor after giving emergency first aid.
Ammonia vapors are easily detected because of their pungent odor, even in low concentrations. Inhaling ammonia can irritate the respiratory tract and lungs. At high concentrations, ammonia combined with the moisture in the lungs may damage the lung lining and reduce the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream.
When a person has inhaled ammonia, move them to a safe area. Exposures to low concentrations of ammonia for a short period of time may not require treatment. Exposure to higher concentrations may cause convulsive coughing and respiratory spasms. Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the victim is not breathing. Obtain medical help as soon as possible.
In case ammonia has been swallowed, contact a doctor immediately. Have the victim, if conscious and able, drink large amounts of water to dilute the chemical. Do not induce vomiting if the victim is in shock or unconscious. If vomiting occurs, keep the head lower than the hips to prevent vomitus from entering the lungs.
CONTAINER AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
All containers used for storing ammonia must be painted white or silver. Light colors reflect heat and this helps keep the temperature and pressure down inside the tank during warm weather.
MAINTAIN ANHYDROUS AMMONIA EQUIPMENT
Daily inspection. Each day give the tank and hoses a brief inspection. Look for problems with:
Each time you fill the nurse tank, check the liquid level gauge and pressure gauge. The gauges should be working properly and be consistent in their readings. Don't use nurse tanks with faulty gauges. To repair or replace faulty gauges, the tank must be emptied and the tank pressure dropped to zero before faulty parts can be removed.
Immediate repair. Several situations are cause for immediate repair or replacement. Any leak in a liquid or vapor shut-off valve calls for repair or replacement of the valve. If an accident causes a dent, gouge, crack or other damage to the tank that might result in failure, inspect the tank, and if necessary, repair it before placing it back into service. A certified welder must make any welding repairs on the tank and the welds must be hydrostatically tested to ASME standards. An overturned tank or collision between the tank and other farm machinery are examples of causes for inspection.
Annual inspection. At least once a year, inspect these items carefully and repair or replace as needed:
Hoses. Lay hose out straight and examine carefully for:
| Braid material | From date of installation |
| Rayon | 2 years |
| Nylon/Kevlar | 4 years |
| Stainless steel | 6 years |
AMMONIA TRANSFER
When filling a nurse or applicator tank, be thoroughly familiar with the equipment and procedures prior to any transfer. Because most accidents occur when transferring ammonia, it is very important to wear a protective face shield or goggles and rubber gloves when you are involved in this procedure.
Be sure the 5-gallon container is full of clean water.
Park the nurse tank on level ground, downwind from the filling operation. Place it close to the operation to eliminate any stress on the hose. Avoid working near any obstacles that would make evacuation difficult, such as fences, buildings or ditches. Block the wheels to prevent the nurse tank from moving. A serious situation could develop if the tank moved and a hose tore loose during the filling operation.
Before connecting the hose, make sure the coupling and connections are free of dirt and other foreign material. Visually check to see that the threads are not damaged. This will reduce the chance of an ammonia leak when pressure is applied.
Workers should carry the filler hose by the valve body or coupling, not by the valve wheel. This reduces the chance of the valve wheel opening and spraying ammonia. Remember the valve wheel and fitting are designed to be closed by hand pressure only. Don't use a wrench - it can damage the fitting.
If you are using a compressor to transfer ammonia, follow recommended instructions in your operator's manual. Maintain a vapor pressure 5 to 10 pounds lower in the tank being filled to keep a forward flow.
Do not overfill the nurse or applicator tank. Keep check on the liquid level by opening the 85 percent fill bleeder valve. A white fog will appear when it reaches this level. As a part of the normal loading procedure, check the liquid level float gauge accuracy by comparing it with the fixed liquid level gauge. It is important to fill only to 85 percent or less of the total liquid capacity of the tank. As the outside temperature increases, the temperature of the liquid increases and the liquid expands, causing the vapor pressure in the tank to increase. If the tank is overfilled and no vapor space is available, the safety relief valve might fail, causing the tank to rupture or explode.
After the filling operation is complete, secure the hose in the storage position for transit. Take a final walk around the nurse or applicator tank to confirm that all steps have been taken.
Prevention and precautions Work upwind! Work upwind of machinery, the hose-end valve, bleeder valve, coupler or plugged applicator tubes. This gives an advantage of getting away quickly if anhydrous ammonia is suddenly released. Plan an escape route. Know which way to run.
Handle valves with care! Grasp valves by the valve body or the coupling, not by the valve handle. The valve handle might accidentally turn and open. If you throw a hose with an end valve over the tank, it might open when it hits the tank and spin open the rest of the way. All tanks are fitted with excess flow valves that operate automatically when a hose ruptures. A carelessly handled valve that is partially opened may not provide adequate flow to activate the excess flow valve and the entire tank of ammonia could escape. Attach the end coupling to the dummy fitting provided when transporting or not using the hose.
Respect pressure! You must release pressure from the coupler using a bleeder valve before disconnecting the coupler. Bleed the pressure off slowly and then disconnect the coupler immediately. On a warm day, leaving a coupler connected for five to 10 minutes after bleeding allows ammonia in the hose to rebuild pressure. On cold days, rubber seals are stiff and may not seal completely. The resulting leak might spray anhydrous ammonia vapors as the tank valve is opened. It also may create cloud of vapor, limiting access to the equipment for reclosing the valve.
Check your safety water tank! Check this water supply (at least 5 gallons) daily. It may freeze in cold weather or become too hot to safely flush eyes on warm sunny days.
Change the water weekly. It might absorb ammonia from the air and become contaminated. Carrying a water supply on both tank and tractor gives extra protection.
Check applicator tubes! When removing dirt from a plugged applicator tube, treat it as if it contains pressurized anhydrous ammonia. They often do. This could be of particular concern when you work among the knives of an anhydrous ammonia applicator. You might not be able to move fast enough to escape the pungent fumes without injury.
Leave a message! Co-workers should know each other's activity schedule when applying anhydrous ammonia. An overdue operator may have had an accident. An accident causing eye damage leaves the operator helpless and stranded. Check if you see operators stopped in the field for an unusual period of time when conditions are normal and equipment should be moving.
ROAD SAFETY
Nurse tanks of 3,000 gallons or less mounted for transport are considered "implements of husbandry" when they are used exclusively for agricultural purposes. Nurse tanks must have the words "anhydrous ammonia" in large green lettering and a non-flammable gas placard with the words "non-flammable" or "1005" on both sides and on each end of the tank. Applicator tanks must contain the same identification on at least the rear of the container. Motorists on the highway can easily identify an ammoni tank by these markings.
All nurse tank wagons must be securely attached to the vehicle pulling them. Use a drawbar, hitch pin, safety clip and a safety chain. Before each highway trip, check the hitch pin, safety clip and safety chain to see that they are secure.
Nurse tank wagons are designed to follow smoothly in the path of the towing vehicle. Nurse tanks can overturn or collide with another vehicle if the tank wagon swerves from side to side. Make sure your tank wagon is hooked up properly. Also make sure the wheel lug nuts are tight and the tires are in good shape and properly inflated.
When hauling a loaded nurse tank, drive at speeds of 30 mph or less. The potential for a serious accident is increased at higher speeds, because you might lack sufficient braking capacity to safely control the wagon. Hauling more than one loaded nurse tank is a violation of Missouri law.
Because farm implement tires are designed for travel at low speeds, allow sufficient time to reach your destination. When towing at 25 mph or less, display a slow-moving-vehicle sign on the wagon.
State law has additional requirements for towing a nurse tank or applicator tank at night. You must display two red reflectors, visible to the rear, at the extreme right and left projections of the trailing unit. If the brake and turn lights on the towing vehicle are obscured, you must put brake and turn lights on the nurse or applicator tank.
OTHER USES FOR ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
Anhydrous ammonia also is used to add non-protein nitrogen to corn silage. The ammonia is under pressure up to the cooling reactor in this application. Wear a face shield or goggles and rubber gloves along with heavy-duty clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, when connecting and disconnecting the ammonia hose and fitting.
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
Publication #: GO1920
This document is published by the University Extension, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211. Publication date: October 1993.
David E. Baker, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University Extension, the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211.
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
