
What is Ammonia?
Ammonia, a colorless and highly irritating gas, emits a sharp, suffocating odor. When it dissolves in water, it forms an ammonium hydroxide solution that can cause irritation and burns. Compressing it easily forms a clear, colorless liquid under pressure. The United States widely produces ammonia, making it one of the most produced chemicals in the country. In its pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia. The human body also produces ammonia, and it is commonly found in nature. The body uses it as a building block to make proteins and other complex molecules. Bacterial processes in soil also produce it and it is also released when plants, animals, and animal wastes decay.

Uses Of Ammonia
- Ammonia is one of the main ingredients in a lot of household cleaning products.Some of its uses are indicated below:
- It is used as a cleaning agent and can be used to remove stains or clean mirrors, tubs, sinks, windows and more.
- Some other uses include antimicrobial agent or an antiseptic, and is also used as a fuel.
- It is used in the printing as well as cosmetics industries.
- It is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions. Cleaning solutions for industrial use contain higher concentrations of it and can quickly cause irritation and burns.
- When it enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing or skin contact, it reacts with water to produce ammonium hydroxide. This chemical is very corrosive and damages cells in the body on contact.

AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE
Many household and industrial cleaners utilize ammonium hydroxide as a cleaning agent and sanitizer. Manufacturers use ammonium hydroxide to produce products like fertilizer, plastic, rayon, and rubber. Aqueous ammonia corrodes aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys, and galvanized surfaces, so handlers must take precautions. The Electronics industry employs ammonium hydroxide to etch circuit boards. KMG produces a range of ammonium hydroxide products with concentrations between 1.6% and 29%. Additionally, aqueous ammonia excels at neutralizing acids.

AMMONIA SOLUTION
Ammonia exhibits decreasing solubility in solvent liquids as the temperature of the solvent increases, like other gases. As the concentration of dissolved ammonia increases,solutions decrease in density. At 15.6 °C (60.1 °F), a saturated solution has a density of 0.88 g/ml and contains 35.6% ammonia by mass, and holds 308 grams per liter of solution, with a molarity of approximately 18 mol/L. As the temperature rises, the molarity of the saturated solution decreases, and the density increases.Manufacturers use it in water as an ingredient in cleansers, often combining it with other cleansing ingredients. Ammonia in water is also sold as a standalone cleaning agent, typically labeled as simply "ammonia". It may be sold plain, lemon-scented (and typically colored yellow), or pine-scented (green).

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is an efficient and widely used source of nitrogen fertilizer. It is relatively easy to apply and is readily available to producers.However, if not handled properly NH3 can be dangerous. Anhydrous means “without water”. Because NH3 contains little or no water it aggressively seeks out moisture, be it from soil or your eyes, throat, lungs or skin. Any anhydrous ammonia contact with our bodies could cause tissue dehydration, caustic burns as well as frostbite. When used as an agricultural fertilizer, NH3 is compressed into a liquid. This requires a substantial amount of pressure and specially designed tanks and equipment. If not stored or transported properly serious injuries are possible.The MDA has important safety measures to increase the protection for agricultural workers and for people who live, work, or otherwise are near NH3. The measures include how NH3 must be stored, transported, handled, and applied. View the tabs above to learn more about the safety and regulatory programs designed to ensure safe use of NH3
