EPA Issues the Dangers of Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium nitrate can be very dangerous and cause harm and even death when handled improperly. To prevent harm and reduce risks caused by ammonium nitrate, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing an alert on the hazards of ammonium nitrate.

The primary use of ammonium nitrate is as a fertilizer but it is also used as a blasting agent when it is mixed with other additives. Under certain conditions, such as adding energy, heat, shock ammonium nitrate can be explosive. Ammonium nitrate is also dangerous when it is under confinement conditions or in the presence of contaminants.

There are certain actions that should be taken when handling ammonium to prevent explosions:

• avoid heating in a confined space;
• avoid localized heating;
• do not expose to strong shock waves from explosives;
• avoid contamination with inorganic material, including chlorides and some metals such as chromium, copper, cobalt and nickel;
• and maintain the pH of solutions within the safe operating range of the process, especially avoiding low pH (acidic) conditions.

For further information contact the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 or 703-412-9810.