Ammonia (NH3)

Ammonia MSDS

What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a nitrogen-based compound. It is colorless but has a noticeably strong smell, even at very low levels. Ammonia is a common nitrogenous waste product and is found in nature from decomposing organic material, animal waste, and even in our solar system. Although ammonia is common in nature and used widely in industry, it is classified as an extremely hazardous substance because it is both caustic and flammable. With a boiling point of -33.34°C at standard pressure, liquid ammonia must be stored under pressure or at very low temperatures. This can be risky as well as ammonia has a tendency to explode under pressure.

Ammonia Exposures and Health Risks

Ammonia is found in many household cleaners as well as in most agricultural fertilizers. Cooling and Refrigeration systems have recently started adapting the use of ammonia, and it has also become a large part of the pharmaceutical world. Ammonia, however, is extremely dangerous, even in when exposure is brief and concentrations are small. It is toxic whether inhaled or ingested, which makes it dangerous to aquatic life as well. Ammonia is also an irritant, especially to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Burns and coughing are common side effects of ammonia exposure and contact with the eyes can cause blindness. Ammonia is both a neurotoxin, causing damage to neural tissue and cells, and a metabotoxin, causing various adverse health effects.

Regulations

The table below summarizes the most-recent exposure limits.

Sources: NIOSH, EPA, OSHA

Measuring Ammonia

Ammonia can be measured in air or in liquid (dissolved) using a variety of methods. The most common method is using Electrochemical Gas Sensors, which is what all of our Ammonia products use. Ammonia is normally measured in parts per million (ppm) for human safety uses but can also be measured in percent by weight for commercial production and storage applications. All of our ammonia monitors measure in ppm.

To see our portable ammonia monitors, click HERE. To see our fixed ammonia monitors, click HERE. To see our liquid (dissolved) ammonia sensors, click HERE.

All of our ammonia products can be found HERE.

D16	The D16 is a versatile tool designed for gas leak detection, personal safety, spot checking, confined entry, and data logging, and more. It can be used as a portable monitor or as a stationary one that can be set to log data over long periods of time. This customizable unit can be fitted with a variety of sensors and is sold with every accessory you may need for fast and accurate portable gas detection.	0-200ppm 0-1000ppm
F12	The Series F12 Gas Transmitter is an Intrinsically Safe monitor designed for the detection of toxic gases in hazardous areas. It is also well suited for general purpose applications. This highly customizable unit can be fitted with a variety of sensors and accessories and is compatible with most fixed mount toxic gas applications.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm
F12D	The Series F12D Gas Transmitter is designed for detection of toxic gases in hazardous areas. It is also well suited for general purpose applications. This highly customizable unit can be fitted with a variety of sensors and accessories and is compatible with most fixed mount toxic gas applications.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm
B12	The B12 transmitter is a two-wire, 4-29 mA transmitter that is loop-powered to signal linearly proportional to the gas concentration. Their electrochemical sensors are designed for use in ambient air or in ventilation ducts. This highly customizable application can be fitted with a variety of sensors and accessories.	0-100ppm
S200	The Series 200 portable gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) to measure gases found in indoor or industrial environments. It is designed for spot checking, personal exposure monitoring, and leak identification. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm
S300	The Series 300 portable gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) to measure gases found in indoor or industrial environments. It shares the same features as the S200 with the additions of audible alarms and relay and voltage outputs which allow you to interface with control systems, data loggers, and other equipment. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm
S500	The Series 500 portable gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) to measure gases found in indoor or industrial environments. It shares the same features as the S200 and S300 with the additions of internal data logging as well as PC connections cables. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm
S900	The Series 900 fixed gas monitor uses Gas Sensitive Electrochemical technology (GSE) designed to operate as a relay controller, gas transmitter, or networked device. It can also monitor temperature and humidity if needed. This monitor can be fitted with a variety of sensor heads to be used on a wide range of toxic gases.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm
BW Solo	The Honeywell BW Solo is a portable gas detector with a small, durable design and fast response time. These monitors can be paired with a smartphone using BLE allowing for remote access to multiple devices. This detector can be fitted with a variety of sensors, all of which come with a five-year life expectancy.	0-100ppm 0-1000ppm

Contact us for help choosing the right Ammonia Sensor for your application