Ammonium Nitrate Material Safety Data Sheet 3/3

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection:

Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.

Personal Protection: Splash goggles. Lab coat. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill: Splash goggles. Full suit. Dust respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product.

Stability and Reactivity Data:

Stability: The product is stable under atmospheric conditions (temperature and pressure)
Conditions of Instability: Incompatible materials or high teperature
Incompatibility with various substances: Reactive with reducing agents, combustible materials, organic materials, metals, alkalis.
Special Remarks on Reactivity: Also incompatible with finely powdered metals (aluminum, copper, chromium, iron, zinc brass, nickel , lead, manganese, magnesium, antimony), acetic acid, ammonium chloride, phosphorus, sodium perchlorate, sulfur, bismuth, cadmium, chlorides, cobalt, potassium and ammonium sulfate, sodium, sodium hypochlorite, sodium-potassium alloy, organic materials and combustible materials (paper, oil, charcoal, etc.)

Toxicological Information:

Routes of Entry: Absorbed through skin. Inhalation. Ingestion.
Toxicity to Animals: Acute oral toxicity (LD50): 2217 mg/kg [Rat].

Chronic Effects on Humans: Causes damage to the following organs: lungs, mucous membranes. May cause damage to the following organs: blood, gastrointestinal tract.
Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation (lung irritant). Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (permeator).

Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans: Carcinogenic effects: At this time, no studies were found on the possible carcinogenicity of Ammonium Nitrate in humans or experimental animals. However nitrates can be reduced to nitrites in the body, and the formed nitrites can subsequently react with amines to form suspect carcinogens N-nitrosamines. Genetic Effects: No genetic data was found for ammonium. However, in general, nitrates and nitrites are genotoxic. Reproductive Effects: There has been some association between consumption of nitrate-contaminated well water and birth defects, especially neural tube defects. However, these studies would not specifically implicate Ammonium Nitrate.

Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans: Acute Potential Health Effects: Skin: Causes skin irritation. It may be absorbed through intact skin. Eyes: Causes eye irritation.
Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract (nose, throat), and mucous membrane irritation. Symptoms may include: coughing, severe lung congestion, difficulty breathing. Inhalation of large amounts may cause systemic acidosis, Methemoglobinemia with symptoms similar to acute ingestion. Ingestion: Gastroenteritis with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Exposure to large amounts may affect behavior/central nervous system, and blood and cause Methemoglobinemia, and systemic acidosis. Symptoms of Methemoglobinemia include cyanosis (blue lips, eyelids, earlobes, and skin), headache, fatigue, weakness, convulsions, dizziness, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, and drowsiness. It may also affect the cardiovascular system and cause increased or decreased heart rate, and hypotension. Chronic Potential Health Effects: Ingestion: The toxicity of nitrates is due to in vivo conversion to nitrites. Chronic ingestion of more than 5 mg/kg/day is considered unacceptable. Primary overdose effects include orthostatic hypotension and Methemoglobinemia. Orthostatic hypotension, faintness, fatigue, weakness, depression, mental impairment, dizziness, shortness of breath, and reflex tachycardia are common; headache, nausea and vomiting may also occur. Chronic ingestion may also cause nephritis.