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Ammonia

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Overview

Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced industrial chemicals in the United States. It is used in industry and commerce, and also exists naturally in humans and in the environment. Ammonia is also produced naturally from decomposition of organic matter, including plants, animals, and animal wastes. In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia.

Ammonia is irritating and corrosive. Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Ammonia's odor provides adequate early warning of its presence; its odor becomes less noticeable with prolonged exposure, though its adverse effects on health do not diminish. Ammonia can explode if released in an enclosed space with a source of ignition present, or if a vessel containing ammonia is exposed to fire.

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  • Fact sheets
    • Eyewash and safety showers
      Explains requirements for eyewash stations and showers in workplaces where employees are exposed to substances that could injure their eyes, with guidance on hazard assessment and equipment selection.
      English  08/15/2023
    • Personal protective equipment
      Details when employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers, with an example of a hazard assessment, and descriptions of appropriate PPE for various tasks.
      English  08/24/2023
    • Respiratory protection
      Describes general industry respiratory protection requirements and answers provides some questions with answers
      English  01/19/2005
  • References
    • Rules with requirements
      We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
      English  05/10/2019

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