© 2026 Sinochem Nanjing Corporation,
All Right Reserved
Product Name: Ammonium Nitrate (with combustible content greater than 0.2% as organic matter, calculated as carbon, no additives included)
Chemical Formula: NH4NO3
Common Uses: Fertilizer manufacturing, explosives production, chemical synthesis
Supplier Details: Name, address, emergency phone number, and business contact of manufacturer or distributor would usually be present here for safe use processes.
Recommended Use Restrictions: Should not be used in food production, animal feed, pharmaceutical products, or non-approved consumer goods. Use within strict industry protocols due to safety concerns.
CAS Number: 6484-52-2
UN Number: 1942 (for transport and emergency registration)
GHS Classification: Oxidizing solid, Category 3; Eye irritation, Category 2A; Acute toxicity, oral, Category 4; Combustible if contaminated with organic matter.
Hazard Statements: Intensifies fire; may explode under confinement or contamination. Risk of serious eye irritation. Harmful if swallowed. May form explosive mixtures in presence of combustible material exceeding 0.2% carbon content.
Pictograms: Flame over circle (oxidizer), exclamation mark (health hazard).
Precautionary Statements: Avoid heat, sparks, open flames, and contamination. Wear eye protection and gloves. Prevent release into the environment.
Signal Word: Danger
Potential Health Effects: Irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, skin; risk of headache, nausea, abdominal pain, methemoglobinemia upon ingestion or inhalation.
Environmental Hazards: Toxic to aquatic environments in high concentrations due to nitrate runoff; can accelerate algal blooms and disrupt water life balance.
Chemical: Ammonium Nitrate
Concentration: 98%–99%
Combustible Impurity: Organic matter as carbon, more than 0.2% by weight, but does not exceed 1%
Other Components: Inert residual moisture, minimal inorganic impurities from production
Appearance: White to light grey crystalline granules
Odor: Odorless
Solubility: Highly soluble in water
Inhalation: Remove individual to fresh air immediately, keep at rest. Seek medical attention if symptoms linger. Oxygen or artificial respiration if difficulty in breathing develops.
Skin Contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water for several minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse. Seek medical help if irritation persists.
Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water, lifting eyelids for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if easy to do. Seek prompt medical evaluation.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Give water unless unconscious. Immediate medical advice recommended; monitor for signs of methemoglobinemia.
Symptoms to Monitor: Shortness of breath, blue tint to lips/fingernails, dizziness, nausea, burning sensation.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray only. Use copious amounts to control. Avoid dry chemicals, carbon dioxide, or foam as these might enhance combustion.
Special Hazards: Ammonium nitrate by itself is not flammable, but with organic impurities, risk of explosive decomposition increases. Dangerous gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia) emit when heated intensely.
Protective Equipment: Firefighters must wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus. Approach from upwind.
Fire-Fighting Procedures: Cool containers with water spray. Evacuate area if large fire or explosion risk. Prevent water runoff from reaching drains or waterways.
Personal Precautions: Wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles. Avoid contact with skin, inhalation of dust. Remove sources of ignition and evacuate area if needed.
Environmental Precautions: Stop further spillage or dust formation. Prevent entry into sewers, drains, or waterways.
Spill Clean-Up Methods: Sweep up carefully. If product is contaminated, treat as explosive material: use non-sparking tools and transfer to safe container. Wash area with large amounts of water—do not dry sweep spilled material near heat or open flames.
Incident Response: Notify emergency services for large releases or if fire risk exists.
Handling Recommendations: Use only in well-ventilated areas. Maintain segregation from fuels, acids, alkalis, powdered metals, and other combustible materials. Avoid sweeping or creating dust clouds.
Storage Requirements: Store in tightly sealed containers, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Protect from direct sunlight, moisture, and temperature extremes. Keep away from ignition sources and potential contaminants. Dike or berm storage areas where possible.
Special Precautions: Do not stack heavy loads or pack tightly, as decomposing hotspots might form. Never weld, cut, or heat containers holding product. Maintain traceability and proper documentation for inventory management.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No established OSHA limit for ammonium nitrate; ACGIH recommends 10 mg/m3 TWA for nuisance particulates.
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation or enclosed systems. Dust collection recommended for bulk handling.
Personal Protective Equipment: NIOSH-approved dust masks or respirators in dusty environments. Safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves, and pants. Change contaminated clothing promptly.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands thoroughly after handling. Prohibit food, drink, and smoking in handling areas. Provide eyewash stations and emergency showers near work area.
Environmental Controls: Monitor nitrate concentrations in workplace air and effluent streams regularly. Prevent dust and spill releases to the environment.
State: Crystalline solid at room temperature
Appearance: White to off-white granules
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 80.04 g/mol
Melting Point: 169.6°C
Boiling Point: Decomposes above 210°C
Density: 1.72 g/cm3
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Solubility: Readily soluble in water (1180 g/L at 20°C)
pH: 4.5–6 (in 5% solution)
Combustibility: Not directly flammable but acts as a strong oxidizer with combustible organic matter.
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal storage and handling conditions. Thermal decomposition at high temperatures or contamination.
Incompatibilities: Fuels, organic materials, powdered metals, acids, alkalies, chlorates, sulphur—may lead to explosive or violent reactions.
Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, ammonia, nitrous oxide, water vapor. High temperatures generate toxic or irritating gases.
Hazardous Reactions: Unstable if heated above 210°C or contaminated with incompatible materials. Sensitive to shock when mixed with fuels.
Polymerization: Does not polymerize under normal circumstances.
Acute Effects: Oral LD50 for rats ranges 2217–4340 mg/kg. May cause moderate eye and skin irritation. Large ingestion produces gastrointestinal distress, headaches, and may induce methemoglobinemia (blood's reduced oxygen-carrying ability).
Chronic Effects: Chronic exposure to dust can result in persistent cough, labored breathing, fatigue, and risk of blue skin (cyanosis)
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin, and eye contact.
Symptoms: Irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea, skin redness, eye tearing, cyanosis.
Carcinogenicity: Not classified as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA. No evidence for reproductive toxicity in standard studies.
Mutagenicity or Teratogenicity: No reported mutagenic or teratogenic effects in humans.
Aquatic Toxicity: High nitrate levels disrupt aquatic systems, contribute to algal blooms (eutrophication), deplete dissolved oxygen, and put stress on aquatic organisms.
Persistence and Degradability: Nitrate ions are stable and persistent in water and soil; susceptible to leaching and runoff.
Bioaccumulation: Low potential for bioaccumulation, but ecosystem impact stems from chemical activity (nutrient loading).
Mobility in Soil: Moves easily with groundwater; long-term risk for contaminated water resources.
Other Adverse Effects: High concentrations in ground or surface water may violate EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for nitrates, linked to “blue baby syndrome.”
Waste Handling: Dispose of material through licensed chemical waste contractor. Never discharge into drains, waterways, or uncontrolled sites.
Container Disposal: Rinse thoroughly before disposal. Follow local hazardous waste protocols.
Special Precautions: Avoid generating dust. Segregate from combustible material at all stages. Notify local authorities for large quantities.
Regulations for Disposal: Must comply with national and regional hazardous waste legislation (EPA, RCRA, or equivalent).
UN Number: 1942
Proper Shipping Name: Ammonium Nitrate, with not more than 0.2% combustible substances, calculated as carbon, except when included as fertilizer blends.
Transport Hazard Class: Class 5.1 (Oxidizing Substance)
Packing Group: III
Label: Oxidizer
Transport Notes: Requires documentation under ADR/RID/IMDG/IATA. Excluded from explosive classification under certain purity and composition thresholds. Never transport in vehicles with incompatible goods such as fuel, organic peroxides, or acids.
Emergency Response: Emergency response guide number 140 for oxidizers.
Safety, Health & Environmental Regulations: Listed in TSCA inventory (US), subject to EPA reporting requirements under SARA Title III. Subject to CFATS screening in the US due to potential use in illicit explosives manufacturing. European REACH regulations apply, requiring registration for import/use above thresholds.
Classification: Controlled substance under TSA, EU, and national regulations.
Workplace Exposure Standards: Several countries set biological or atmospheric monitoring requirements.
Labeling Requirements: Container and shipping labels must meet OSHA GHS and UN requirements. Precautionary and hazard statements required.
