Chemical of the Week Part 2 - Ammonium Nitrate

Hazard Profile

Chemical Name and Pseudonyms

Ammonium Nitrate, Norway Saltpeter, Ammonium Salt

UN Number

2067, 2071

Chemical Formula

NH₄NO₃

Hazards

Oxidizer

PPE Considerations

SFPC with SCBA.  May become unstable if exposed to heat or contaminated.  Nitrile, rubber, vinyl, or PVC gloves,

Fire Fighting Considerations

Treat as explosive if involved in fire.  If extinguishment is attempted, use flooding amounts of water and control runoff. 

Decontamination

Soap and water with adequate ventilation, consider destruction of contaminated PPE and equipment.

Detection and Monitoring

Colormetric, chemical reactivity assessment (i.e. HazCat), FTIR

Chemical and Physical Properties

Physical State

Odorless, white solid

Vapor Pressure

-

Boiling Point

^410oF

Vapor Density

-

Specific Gravity

1.72

Miscibility

Soluble

Flash Point

-

LEL/UEL

-

Autoignition Temp

-

pH

4.5-6 when in solution

Toxicity

IDLH

50 ppm

PEL/REL/STEL

-

LD50

2217 mg/kg

LC50

88.8 mg/L

Radioactive (Yes/No)

No

Medical

Toxicological Considerations

Toxicological properties have not been fully investigated 

Signs/Symptoms of Exposure

Irritates skin and mucous membranes, respiratory irritation

Medical Treatment

Flush with water and treat symptomatically

Other Information

Oxidizer, contact with organic material may cause fire, hygroscopic

Chemical Structure