What you need to know about Ammonium Nitrate?

Prior to last week’s tragic Beirut port explosion – which the UN says killed 178 people, injured 6,000 and left 30 missing – it’s entirely possible you had never been aware of ammonium nitrate. This odourless, white crystal salt is an important agricultural tool, most commonly used as a component in fertilizer mixture.

Made up of ammonium and nitrate ions, it provides a source of nitrogen to plants, which increases growth and crop yields. It is also sold in small quantities as an additive for mining explosives and other nonagricultural uses.

“Ammonium nitrate is nonflammable,” explains Dr Aamrah Shah, Consultant in Family Medicine at American Hospital Dubai, adding, “a fire from ammonium nitrate is very unlikely, but it is a strong oxidizing agent that can cause combustible materials – such as wood, paper and oil – to ignite. Only under extreme conditions of heat and pressure in a confined space will ammonium nitrate explode. Should such an incident occur, there may be a visible cloud of ammonia, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides.”

Potential hazards

While Dr Shah says ammonium nitrate isn’t harmful under normal handling conditions, its dust may cause irritation in the respiratory tract if inhaled in high concentrations. “Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath or even suffocation.”

If swallowed in high concentrations, ammonium nitrate is deadlier, potentially causing headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness, a tingling sensation, heart and circulation irregularities, convulsions, collapse and suffocation.

Ammonium nitrate forms a mild acid when mixed with water. “This acid can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and skin.” On skin, this acid may cause redness, itching and pain. If it gets in the eyes, redness and pain may occur. Even small oral doses, if repeated, may cause weakness, depression, headache and mental impairment, adds Dr Shah.

If it gets in your eyes:

1. Remove contact lenses, if you’re wearing them.
2. Immediately flush the eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open.
3. Obtain medical attention if irritation persists.

If it gets on your skin:

1. Wash with soap and water.
2. Dry and cover the affected skin with a high-quality dermatological skincare lotion.
3. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

If you inhale it in minor doses:

1. Loosen tight clothing.
2. Rest in a well-ventilated area.
3. Obtain medical attention if irritation or symptoms persist.

For severe inhalation:

1. Use proper respiratory protection to evacuate affected individuals to a safe area as soon as possible.
2. Loosen tight clothing around the neck and waist.
3. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult.
4. Perform artificial respiration if patient isn’t breathing.
5. Obtain immediate medical attention.

For ingestion:

1. If conscious, drink several glasses of water or milk and induce vomiting
2. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
3. Lower the head so that the vomit will not reenter the mouth and throat.
4. Obtain medical attention.