AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE 01-035

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Basic information

  • Chemical formula(s): \({\rm NH_3(aq)}\)
  • Other names: aqua ammonia, ammonium hydrate, ammonia aqueous solution (10-35%)
  • CAS: 1336-21-6
  • International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC): 0215
  • Flammability: yes - requires considerable preheating
  • NOAA’s description: clear colouress liquid consisting, corrosive to tissue and metals. Although ammonia is lighter than air, the vapours from a leak will initially hug the ground

NFPA 704 (fire diamond)

  • Health (blue): 3 - short exposure could cause serious temporary or moderate residual injury.
  • Flammability (red): 1 - requires considerable preheating, under all ambient temperature conditions, before ignition and combustion can occur. Flash point above 93.3 °C.
  • Instability–reactivity (yellow): 0 - normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water.
  • Special notice (white):
    • COR - corrosive, strong base.

Hazard statements

Code Phrase
H302 harmful if swallowed
H314 causes severe skin burns and eye damage
H335 may cause respiratory irritation
H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Precautionary statements

Code Phrase
P261 avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
P271 use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
P273 avoid release to the environment
P280 wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
P303+P361+P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing, rinse skin with water or shower
P305+P351+P338 IF IN EYES: rinse continuously with water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, continue rinsing

Protective measures

Gloves

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and OSHA Glove Selection Chart categorize gloves into four protection levels (very good, good, fair, poor (not recommended)) for given chemical. The levels of protection against 10% - 35% solution of ammonium hydroxide for four types of gloves are:

  • Neoprene: very good.
  • Natural latex or rubber: very good.
  • Buthyl: very good.
  • Nitrile: very good.

Safety goggles

  • Always wear safety goggles when handling ammonium hydroxide. Corrective glasses are not considered safety googles.
  • Handle ammonium hydroxide inside the fume hood only (with exception of moving the closed bottle to and from the storage cabinet).

Clothing

  • Wear long trousers and fully covered shoes.
  • Contact lenses are forbidden while working with chemical substances, even in combination with safety glasses.
  • Do not wear cosmetics.
  • Do not wear synthetic clothing while working with flammable liquids or gases or when a hazard is present as these materials tend to melt and stick to exposed skin.
  • Do not wear headphones.

Spill management

  • Use personal protective equipment.
  • Avoid breathing vapors or mist.
  • Ensure adequate ventilation.
  • Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
  • Arrange disposal.
  • Do not let it enter drain.
  • If a spill happened outside the fume hood (on the floor or desktop) contact Dr Jakub Tkaczuk (+41 44 632 31 62) and the ETH Emergency Desk (+41 44 342 11 88 from mobile or 888 from landline).