Major Pollutant: Ammonia Essay

Ammonia is one of the most astray produced chemicals in the United States. In pure function, it is known as anhydrous ammonium hydroxide pissing water. Ammonia has the formula NH3 which is a compound of hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia is as well produced in the human body and is commonly found in nature. It is requirement in the body as a building block for qualification proteins and other complex molecules. In nature, ammonia chokes in soil from bacterial processes. It is also produced when plants, animals and animal wastes decay.The properties of ammonia includes the following information. Ammonia is a colorless highly irritating suck with a sharp suffocating odor. It dissolves well in water to form ammonium hydroxide solution which trick ca custom irritation and ruin. Ammonia gas is easily unconditional and forms a clear, colorless liquid under pressure. It is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel cylinders. Ammonia is non highly flammable, that container s of ammonia may explode when candid to high heat. Ammonia is visible radiation than railway line, its density being 0.589 times that of air and is miscible with water.Ammonias molecular mass is 17.03 g/mol and is a gas at room temperature. Its melting imply is at -77.7 degrees celsius while its boiling point is at -33.35 degrees celsius. Its flash point is at 11 degrees celsius while its dissolution point is at 500 degrees celsius. Ammonia as a gas has a density of 0.7710 g/L whereas when in liquid form has the density of 0.6818 g/L. Ammonia is a weak base and has a very high affinity for water. When it comes into reach with anything containing water, it becomes very caustic and this preserve be very dangerous as it fire attack moist parts of the body if it comes into contact with them. Despite the high affinity for water, ammonia has limited reactivity with water. Most lot argon exposed to ammonia from breathing its gas or vapors. Since ammonia exists naturally and is al so chip in in cleaning products, painting may occur from these sources.The widespread use of ammonia on farms and in industrial and commercial locations means that exposure after part also occur from an accidental release or from a deliberate terrorist attack. Ammonia gas is lighter than air and will rise, so that generally it does not settle in low-lying areas. However, in the movement of moisture, ammonia suffer form vapors that are heavier than air. These vapors can spread along the ground or other low-lying areas. When ammonia enters the body as a result of breathing, swallowing or tegument contact, it reacts with water to produce ammonium hydroxide. This chemical is very corrosive and damages cells in the body on contact. Ammonia is corrosive.The severity of health effects depends on the route of exposure, the dose and the duration of exposure. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and ca n result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation. Swallowing ammonia can cause burns to the mouth, throat and stomach. Skin or eye contact with concentrated ammonia can also cause irritation and burns.If you have been exposed to a large release of ammonia such as from a oil well truck rollover or from a leaking tanker rail car, you must cursorily move away from the area where you think you were exposed. If the release was indoors, go outside. If you are near a release of ammonia, emergency coordinators may tell you to each evacuate the area or to shelter in place. To shelter in place means to remain indoors to avoid being exposed to the chemical. While indoors, shut and lock all doors and windows turn forth air conditioners, fans and heaters and close fireplace dampers.If exposed to ammonia, you must also quickly select any enclothe that may have ammonia on it. If possible, turn that is normally removed over the head (like t-shirts and sweaters) should be cut off the body to prevent additional contact with the agent. Follow these steps for the remotion of clothings that have ammonia on it. First place your clothing deep down a plastic bag and seal the bag tightly. Do not handle the plastic bag, and wait for instructions on proper disposal. Disposing of your clothing in a sealed bag helps protect you and other people from any additional exposure. Then store the bagged clothing in a secure location away from people, especially children.As soon as you finish performing these steps, quickly wash any ammonia from your skin with large amounts of soap and water, and flush your eyes with large amounts of water by following these steps. First you must remove and dispose of any contact lenses then wash eyeglasses with soap and water before wearing. Do not use bleach to remove ammonia from your skin. If serious problems occur and the previous steps did not ease the situation, it is i mportant to seek medical examination attention right away.