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Product Name: Ammonium Nitrate Explosive
Other Names: ANFO, Nitric Acid Ammonium Salt, Fertilizer Grade Ammonium Nitrate
Recommended Uses: Commercial explosives, blasting agents, some fertilizer applications
Manufacturer/Supplier: Refer to packaging for current supplier details, as products change regularly
Emergency Contact: Emergency numbers can be found on product label; local authorities manage chemical incident calls
UN Number: 1942 (ammonium nitrate), 0222 (ammonium nitrate-based explosive, not otherwise specified)
Chemical Formula: NH4NO3
CAS Number: 6484-52-2
Classification: Oxidizer (Class 5.1), Explosive when mixed with fuel oils
Signal Word: Danger
Hazard Statements: Intensely oxidizing, increases fire risk; risk of explosion under certain conditions; toxic fumes released during fire
Symptoms of Exposure: Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation; ingesting large amounts causes nausea, dizziness, possible methemoglobinemia
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Precautionary Statements: Avoid raw material contact with combustible substances, acids, oil, and heat; keep away from ignition sources; use proper ventilation
Main Ingredient: Ammonium nitrate – typically 94% to 96%
Other Ingredients: Fuel oil (as blended in explosives), inert mineral dust, anti-caking agents, trace contaminants from manufacturing process, possible colorants for product tracking
Impurities: Low concentrations of metal ions, trace particulates, possible nitrogen oxides formed during decomposition
Eye Contact: Remove contact lenses if present; flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes; seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash affected skin with soap and water; seek medical assistance for persistent redness or blisters
Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air; maintain a clear airway; get immediate medical help for respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Ingestion: Never induce vomiting; rinse mouth with water if conscious; seek prompt medical care; show the chemical’s label to medical staff
Note for Physicians: Monitor oxygen saturation; methemoglobinemia is a risk and needs specific treatment, possibly with methylene blue
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Large volumes of water, flooding quantities, are most effective; do not use dry chemicals or foam on oxidizing ammonium nitrate
Specific Hazards: Decomposition releases toxic gases, including nitrogen oxides and ammonia; mass fire may produce violent explosion or rapid deflagration
Protective Equipment: Full body chemical resistant suit, positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus
Special Procedures: Evacuate area, especially downwind; cool containers by flooding with water from a safe distance; isolate for at least 500 meters in case of large fire
Personal Precautions: Wear gloves, protective mask, safety goggles; do not touch spilled material without proper protection; avoid dust inhalation
Environmental Precautions: Prevent run-off into drains, sewers, surface waters, or groundwater; inform appropriate agencies if significant environmental contamination occurs
Clean-up Methods: Carefully sweep or scoop up spilled material; avoid creating dust; use non-sparking tools; place in clean containers for recovery or disposal; wash down spill site with copious water after removal
Special Considerations: Prevent contamination with organic matter or reducing agents during removal; treat contaminated area as hazardous
Handling: Use explosion-proof equipment; avoid contact with incompatible materials such as acids, chlorides, and combustibles; always ground equipment; avoid shock, friction, and open flames
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight; use tightly closed containers; segregate from flammable or combustible products; facility design should allow for spill containment and easy evacuation
General Advice: Always train personnel in proper material handling, spill response, and emergency procedures; maintain good housekeeping to avoid dust accumulation
Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV; minimize exposure to dust and gases formed during decomposition
Ventilation: Use local exhaust ventilation or general dilution ventilation as required
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety goggles or face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, dust mask (N95 or better), flame-retardant clothing for bulk handling, closed footwear
Hygiene Measures: Wash thoroughly after handling; do not eat, drink, smoke, or apply cosmetics while working with the product
Physical State: Crystalline solid or prilled granules
Color: White to off-white
Odor: Odorless
Melting Point: About 170°C (338°F), decomposes above 210°C (410°F)
Solubility in Water: Highly soluble (190 g/100 mL at 20°C)
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at ambient temperature
Density: 1.7 - 1.8 g/cm3
Explosive Properties: Not explosive alone, forms powerful explosives with fuel oil
Other Data: Hygroscopic, absorbs water from air readily; becomes sticky in high humidity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions, unstably stored or heated releases gases or supports combustion
Conditions to Avoid: Excessive heat, contamination with organics, shock, friction, open flames, exposure to acids or chlorides
Incompatible Materials: Acids, alkalis, organic materials, reducing agents, finely divided metals, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorinated compounds
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides, ammonia, possibly nitrous oxide; fire or heat accelerates decomposition to toxic vapors
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Effects: Dust irritates eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; ingestion causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure links to skin irritation and methemoglobinemia; inhaling decomposition products causes delayed lung injury
Toxicity Data: Oral LD50 (rat): ~2217 mg/kg; not classified as carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Other Information: Methemoglobinemia involves clinical symptoms such as cyanosis, headache, dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat
Ecotoxicity: Material is highly soluble, contributes to nutrient pollution and eutrophication; harmful to aquatic life in high concentrations
Mobility: Moves rapidly to groundwater if released; persistent in soil and water
Persistence and Degradability: Rapidly dissolves and disperses in water, does not break down easily in the environment
Bioaccumulation: No significant potential for bioaccumulation
Other Concerns: Large releases linked to fish kills, algal blooms, and drinking water contamination incidents globally
Disposal Methods: Dispose via permitted waste handler; small spills dissolve and flush with large amounts of water if approved; incineration not recommended
Special Precautions: Never landfill with other organic waste, oils, solvents, or acids; never mix with municipal trash
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse thoroughly, dispose as hazardous waste; follow local, regional, and national guidelines strictly
Legal Requirements: Document all disposals, include chain of custody; keep records available for inspection by regulatory authorities
UN Number: UN 1942 (Ammonium nitrate), UN 0222 (Explosive blend)
Proper Shipping Name: Ammonium nitrate or Ammonium nitrate, blasting grade
Transport Hazard Classes: 5.1 (oxidizing substances), sometimes also classed as 1.1D or 1.5D (explosives) depending on blend
Packing Group: III for oxidizer, varies for explosives
Labels: Oxidizer, Explosive, Marine pollutant as required
Special Provisions: Segregated from foodstuffs, flammables, combustibles, and acids; check local/national/international regulations for quantity limits, packaging, and placarding
Safety, Health, Environmental Regulations: Subject to US OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, EU REACH, International Maritime Dangerous Goods, and many national laws on explosives and oxidizers
Reporting Requirements: Large quantity users must submit inventory reports under SARA Title III or similar rules; accidental releases are reportable under local, state, or national environmental laws
Restrictions: Sale, purchase, and use tightly controlled in some jurisdictions; reporting and licensing requirements common; background checks may apply for procurement
Other Regulations: Fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate regulated separately in many places; use as an explosive precursor tracked by law enforcement
