AMMONIUM NITRATE

MSDS Number: A6048 --- Effective Date: 11/17/99


1. Product Identification

Synonyms: Nitric acid, ammonium salt
CAS No.: 6484-52-2
Molecular Weight: 80.04
Chemical Formula: NH4NO3
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker: 0729, 0731
Mallinckrodt: 3436

2. Composition/Information on Ingredients


  Ingredient                                CAS No         Percent   Hazardous                                       
  ---------------------------------------   ------------   -------   ---------        
 
  Ammonium Nitrate                          6484-52-2      99 - 100%    Yes                                                                  
 

3. Hazards Identification

Emergency Overview
--------------------------
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE OR EXPLOSION. MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.

J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
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Health Rating: 1 - Slight
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 3 - Severe (Oxidizer)
Contact Rating: 2 - Moderate
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT
Storage Color Code: Yellow (Reactive)
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Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------



Inhalation:
May cause irritation to the respiratory tract; symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, and shortness of breath. At high temperatures, exposure to toxic nitrogen oxides decomposition products can quickly cause acute respiratory problems. Inhalation of large amounts causes systemic acidosis and abnormal hemoglobin.
Ingestion:
Large oral doses of nitrates may cause dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness, convulsions, and collapse. Harmful if swallowed. May cause methemoglobinemia resulting in cyanosis.
Skin Contact:
Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain.
Eye Contact:
Causes irritation, redness, and pain.
Chronic Exposure:
Small repeated oral doses of nitrates may cause weakness, depression, headache, and mental impairment.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
No information found.

4. First Aid Measures

Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. Get medical attention for any breathing difficulty.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Get medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact:
Remove any contaminated clothing. Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if irritation develops or persists.
Eye Contact:
Wash thoroughly with running water. Get medical advice if irritation develops.

5. Fire Fighting Measures

Fire:
Not combustible, but substance is a strong oxidizer and its heat of reaction with reducing agents or combustibles may cause ignition. May support combustion in an existing fire.
Explosion:
Contact with oxidizable substances may cause extremely violent combustion. Sealed containers may rupture when heated. Sensitive to mechanical impact.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Use flooding amounts of water in early stages of fire involving ammonium nitrate. Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.

6. Accidental Release Measures

Remove sources of heat and ignition. Collected waste may be transferred to a closed, preferably metal, container and sent to a RCRA approved waste disposal facility. Alternatively, sweep spill into noncombustible container and dissolve in large amount of water. Add soda ash. Mix and neutralize with 6M-HCl. Neutralized sludge may be sent to an approved waste disposal facility.


7. Handling and Storage

Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Protect against physical damage. Store in a dry location separate from combustible, organic or other readily oxidizable materials. Avoid storage on wood floors. Remove and dispose of any spilled dichromates; do not return to original containers. Do not store above 54C (130F) preferably below 30C (86F). Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Airborne Exposure Limits:
None established.
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures as low as possible. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
For conditions of use where exposure to the dust or mist is apparent, a half-face dust/mist respirator may be worn. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-face positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Wear protective gloves and clean body-covering clothing.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.

9. Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance:
Colorless crystals.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
118g/100g water @ 0C (32F).
Specific Gravity:
1.73 @ 23C (77F)
pH:
5.4
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
210C (410F) Decomposes.
Melting Point:
170C (338F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
No information found.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.

10. Stability and Reactivity

Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage. Hygroscopic.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Emits nitrous oxides when heated to decomposition. Liberates ammonia in reaction with strong alkalis.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Aluminum, antimony, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, zinc, brass, oil, charcoal, organic material, acetic acid, ammonium chloride, bismuth, cadmium, chlorides, cobalt, phosphorus, potassium and ammonium sulfate, sodium, sodium hypochlorite, sodium perchlorate, sodium-potassium alloy, and sulfure.
Conditions to Avoid:
Heat, flame, ignition sources, dusting and incompatibles. Moisture and combustible materials. Shock sensitive.

11. Toxicological Information


Oral rat LD50: 2217 mg/kg.
  --------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
                                         ---NTP Carcinogen---
  Ingredient                             Known    Anticipated    IARC Category
  ------------------------------------   -----    -----------    -------------
  Ammonium Nitrate (6484-52-2)            No          No            None

12. Ecological Information

Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is expected to leach into groundwater. When released into the soil, this material is not expected to evaporate significantly. When released into water, this material is expected to readily biodegrade.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.

13. Disposal Considerations

Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be handled as hazardous waste and sent to a RCRA approved waste facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

14. Transport Information

Domestic (Land, D.O.T.)
-----------------------
Proper Shipping Name: AMMONIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1942
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 300LB

International (Water, I.M.O.)
-----------------------------
Proper Shipping Name: AMMONIUM NITRATE
Hazard Class: 5.1
UN/NA: UN1942
Packing Group: III
Information reported for product/size: 300LB


15. Regulatory Information

  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
  Ingredient                                       TSCA  EC   Japan  Australia
  -----------------------------------------------  ----  ---  -----  ---------
  Ammonium Nitrate (6484-52-2)                      Yes  Yes   Yes      Yes                                      
 
  --------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
                                                          --Canada--
  Ingredient                                       Korea  DSL   NDSL  Phil.
  -----------------------------------------------  -----  ---   ----  -----
  Ammonium Nitrate (6484-52-2)                      Yes   Yes   No     Yes                             
 
  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
                                             -SARA 302-    ------SARA 313------
  Ingredient                                 RQ    TPQ     List  Chemical Catg.
  -----------------------------------------  ---   -----   ----  --------------
  Ammonium Nitrate (6484-52-2)               No    No      No    Nitrate cmpd
 
  --------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
                                                        -RCRA-    -TSCA-
  Ingredient                                 CERCLA     261.33     8(d) 
  -----------------------------------------  ------     ------    ------
  Ammonium Nitrate (6484-52-2)               No         No         No                   
 
 
Chemical Weapons Convention:  No     TSCA 12(b):  No     CDTA:  No
SARA 311/312:  Acute: Yes      Chronic: No   Fire: No  Pressure: No
Reactivity: Yes         (Pure / Solid)  


Australian Hazchem Code: 1[S]
Poison Schedule: No information found.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.

16. Other Information

NFPA Ratings: Health: 2 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 3 Other: Oxidizer
Label Hazard Warning:
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE OR EXPLOSION. MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Label Precautions:
Keep from contact with clothing and other combustible materials.
Do not store near combustible materials.
Store in a tightly closed container.
Avoid breathing dust.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Remove and wash contaminated clothing promptly.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Store preferably below 30C
Label First Aid:
If inhaled, remove to fresh air. Get medical attention for any breathing difficulty. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. If swallowed, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give large quantities of water. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. In all cases, get medical attention.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
No changes.
Disclaimer:
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Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
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Prepared by: Strategic Services Division
Phone Number: (314) 539-1600 (U.S.A.)