Ammonia

RTECS #

BO0875000

CAS #

7664-41-7; 8007-57-6
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods

Updated

March 2019

Molecular Weight

17.04

Molecular Formula

H₃N

Synonyms

AM-Fol
Ammonia (ACGIH:OSHA)
Ammonia anhydrous
Ammonia gas
Ammoniac (French)
Ammoniaca (Italian)
Ammoniak (German)
Amoniak (Polish)
Nitro-sil
R 717
Spirit of hartshorn

Mutation Data and Reference

System Test	Route/Organism/Tissue	Dose	Reference
Cytogenetic Analysis	inhalation/rat	19800 µg/m³/16W	BZARAZ 27(6),102,1974
mutation in microorganisms	/Escherichia coli	1500 ppm/3H (-enzymatic activation step)	AMNTA4 85,119,1951

Tumorigenic Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 1680 mg/kg/24W- continuous	Tumorigenic: Carcinogenic by RTECS criteria Gastrointestinal: Tumors	CALEDQ 65,15,1992

Acute Toxicity Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
In Vitro/Human, liver tumor	Inhibitor Concentration (50 percent kill): 15 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell protein synthesis	TIVIEQ 3,189,1989
In Vitro/Human, neuroblastoma	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 10 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	NETOX* 49,28,2015
In Vitro/pax	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 5 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Other assays Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Effect on Na-K pump Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other enzymes	TIVIEQ 29,2022,2015
In Vitro/Rat, neurons	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 5 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell viability (mitochondrial reductase assays): MTT, XTT, MTS, WSTs assays etc.	NETOX* 49,28,2015
In Vitro/Rat, neurons	Inhibitor Concentration Low: 10 mmol/L/24H	In Vitro Toxicity Studies: Cell morphology: overgrowth of cell appendixes etc.	NETOX* 49,28,2015
inhalation/cat	lowest published toxic concentration: 350 mg/m³/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/cat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7 gm/m³/1H	Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Flaccid paralysis without anesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage) Behavioral: Excitement	JIHTAB 26,29,1944
inhalation/guinea pig	lowest published toxic concentration: 350 mg/m³/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 20 ppm	Olfaction: Ulcerated nasal septum Eye: Conjunctiva irritation Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi	AGGHAR 13,528,1955
inhalation/human	Lowest published lethal concentration: 5000 ppm/5M		TABIA2 3,231,1933
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 40 mg/m³	Eye: Conjunctiva irritation Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 3 mg/m³/8H	Cardiac: Pulse rate decreased with fall in BP Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 1200 mg/m³	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Acute pulmonary edema Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/human	Lowest published lethal concentration: 1500 mg/m³/30M		VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 30 ppm/10M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes	TOXID9 44,302,2005
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 110 ppm/1H	Eye: Conjunctiva irritation	TOXID9 44,302,2005
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified)	Lowest published lethal concentration: 5000 ppm/5M		AEPPAE 138,65,1928
inhalation/mammal (species unspecified)	lowest published toxic concentration: 3500 mg/m³/90M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes	VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4600 mg/m³/2H		VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 10 mg/m³/2H	Blood: Other changes Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: True cholinesterase Biochemical: Enzyme inhibition, induction, or change in blood or tissue levels: Other oxidoreductases	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 30 mg/m³/2H	Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Recording from peripheral motor nerve	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/mouse	Lowest published lethal concentration: 3317 ppm/1H		TOXID9 44,302,2005
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4500 ppm/1H		ENTOX* -,101,2005
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4230 ppm/1H	Behavioral: Tremor Behavioral: Convulsions or effect on seizure threshold Behavioral: Ataxia	FEPRA7 41,1568,1982
inhalation/mouse	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 21430 ppm/30M		FEREAC 69,13740,2004
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 582 mg/m³/45M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	TXCYAC 276,135,2010
inhalation/rabbit	lowest published toxic concentration: 350 mg/m³/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/rabbit	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7 gm/m³/1H	Peripheral Nerve and Sensation: Flaccid paralysis without anesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage) Behavioral: Excitement	JIHTAB 26,29,1944
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 18600 mg/m³/5M		VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 7040 mg/m³/30M		VCVN5* -,12,1993
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 350 mg/m³/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Cough	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 2000 ppm/4H		34ZIAG -,607,1969
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 25 mg/m³/4H	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea	VCVN5* -,11,1993
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 17401 ppm/15M		FEREAC 69,13740,2004
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 905 mg/m³/45M	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Respiratory depression	TXCYAC 276,135,2010
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 9500 ppm/1H		ENTOX* -,101,2005
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4673 mg/kg/4H	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Eye: Corneal damage Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Structural or functional change in trachea or bronchi	RTOPDW 66,315,2013
inhalation/rat	lethal concentration (50 percent kill): 4673 mg/kg/4H	Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Body temperature decrease	RTOPDW 66,315,2013
oral/man	lowest published toxic dose: 15 µL/kg	Gastrointestinal: Changes in structure or function of esophagus	AJEMEN 3,320,1985
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 0.095 gm/kg	Gastrointestinal: Ulceration or bleeding from stomach	JPETAB 323,308,2007
unreported route/man	lowest published lethal dose: 132 mg/kg		85DCAI 2,73,1970

Other Multiple Dose Data and References

Route/Organism	Dose	Effect	Reference
inhalation/Dog	lowest published toxic concentration: 470 mg/m³/8H/90D- intermittent	Eye: Lacrimation	TXAPA9 16,646,1970
inhalation/guinea pig	lowest published toxic concentration: 470 mg/m³/8H/90D- intermittent	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in tubules (including acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis) Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field	TXAPA9 16,646,1970
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 6 mg/m³/7H/17W- intermittent	Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Other changes	VCVN5* -,13,1989
inhalation/human	lowest published toxic concentration: 20 mg/m³/5Y- intermittent	Autonomic Nervous System: Other (direct) parasympathomimetic Behavioral: Muscle weakness Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Emphysema	VCVN5* -,14,1989
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 0.058 gm/m³/18D- intermittent	Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight	TPKVAL 11,106,1969
inhalation/mouse	lowest published toxic concentration: 711 ppm/6H/14D- intermittent	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects	JJATDK 15,207,1995
inhalation/pig	lowest published toxic concentration: 145 ppm/5W- continuous	Behavioral: Food intake (animal) Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	JANSAG 28,844,1969
inhalation/pig	lowest published toxic concentration: 25 ppm/6D- continuous	Blood: Changes in other cell count (unspecified) Nutritional and Gross Metabolic: Weight loss or decreased weight gain	AJVRAH 55,1335,1994
inhalation/rabbit	lowest published toxic concentration: 470 mg/m³/8H/90D- intermittent	Eye: Corneal damage Eye: Other eye effects	TXAPA9 16,646,1970
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 300 ppm/6H/5D- intermittent	Brain and Coverings: Other degenerative changes Blood: Other changes Biochemical: Metabolism (intermediary): Amino acids (including renal excretion)	PHTOEH 64,244,1989
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 455 mg/m³/8H/90D- intermittent	Olfaction: Other olfaction effects Lung, Thorax, or Respiration: Dyspnea Related to Chronic Data: Death in the "MULTIPLE DOSE" data type field	TXAPA9 16,646,1970
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 960 mg/m³/4H/17W- intermittent	Brain and Coverings: Recordings from specific areas of CNS	GISAAA 50(5),90,1985
inhalation/rat	lowest published toxic concentration: 0.058 gm/m³/19D- intermittent	Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Other changes in urine composition Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder: Changes in kidney weight	TPKVAL 11,106,1969
oral/rat	lowest published toxic dose: 173 mg/kg/4W- continuous	Gastrointestinal: Other changes	DDSCDJ 36,33,1991

Reviews

Organization	Standard	Reference
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	Threshold Limit Value-time-weighted average 25 ppm;short term exposure limit 35 ppm	DTLVS* TLV/BEI,2013
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTIS** AD-A094-501
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CPEMM* 3,239,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CHHSA* 9,6,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CHHSA* 9,30,2002
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		DIMON* 46,551,2000
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ENTOX* -,101,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		HUTOX* -,661,1996
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 46,1863,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		ISMEA* 10,537,2008
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		CCACL* 21,719,2005
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		PRESR* 7,123,2006
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		NTAPM* -,629,1995
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		MUREAV 717,46,2011
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TOLED5 199,203,2010
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		FCTOD7 94,93,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		TIVIEQ 36,105,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		RTOPDW 54,247,2009
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		PLSCI* 248,92,2016
TOXICOLOGY REVIEW		VETODR ,215,2018

Standards and Regulations

Organization	Standard	Reference
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1998 STATUS OF PESTICIDES	Active registration	RBREV* -,352,1998
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) STANDARD-air	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³)	DTLVS* 3,11,1971
Occupational Exposure Limit IN ARGENTINA, BULGARIA, COLOMBIA, JORDAN check ACGIH TLV;
Occupational Exposure Limit IN SINGAPORE, VIETNAM check ACGIH TLV
Occupational Exposure Limit-ARAB Republic of Egypt	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRALIA	time-weighted average 25 ppm (17 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 35 ppm (24 mg/m³), JUL2008
Occupational Exposure Limit-AUSTRIA	MAK-TMW 20 ppm (14 mg/m³);KZW 50 ppm (36 mg/m³), 2007
Occupational Exposure Limit-BELGIUM	time-weighted average 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (36 mg/m³), MAR2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-DENMARK	time-weighted average 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), MAY2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-EC	time-weighted average 14 mg/m³ (20 ppm);short term exposure limit 36 mg/m³ (50 ppm), JUN2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-FINLAND	time-weighted average 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (36 mg/m³), NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-FRANCE	VME 10 ppm (7 mg/m³), VLE 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), FEB2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-GERMANY	MAK 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), 2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-HUNGARY	time-weighted average 14 mg/m³, short term exposure limit 36 mg/m³, SEP2000
Occupational Exposure Limit-ICELAND	time-weighted average 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 50 ppm (36 mg/m³), skin, NOV2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-INDIA	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 35 ppm (27 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-JAPAN	Occupational Exposure Limit 25 ppm (17 mg/m³), MAY2012
Occupational Exposure Limit-KOREA	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³), short term exposure limit 35 ppm (27 mg/m³), 2006
Occupational Exposure Limit-MEXICO	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 35 ppm (27 mg/m³), 2004
Occupational Exposure Limit-NEW ZEALAND	time-weighted average 25 ppm (17 mg/m³); short term exposure limit 35 ppm (24 mg/m³), JAN2002
Occupational Exposure Limit-NORWAY	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³), JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-PERU	time-weighted average 25 ppm (17 mg/m³); short term exposure limit 35 ppm (24 mg/m³), JUL2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-POLAND	MAC(time-weighted average) 20 mg/m³, MAC(short term exposure limit) 27 mg/m³, JAN1999
Occupational Exposure Limit-RUSSIA	short term exposure limit 20 mg/m³, JUN2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWEDEN	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³), ceiling concentration 50 ppm (35 mg/m³), JUN2005
Occupational Exposure Limit-SWITZERLAND	MAK-week 20 ppm (14 mg/m³), KZG-week 40 ppm (28 mg/m³), JAN2011
Occupational Exposure Limit-THAILAND	time-weighted average 50 ppm (35 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE NETHERLANDS	MAC-TGG 14 mg/m³, 2003
Occupational Exposure Limit-THE PHILIPPINES	time-weighted average 50 ppm (30 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-TURKEY	time-weighted average 25 ppm (35 mg/m³), JAN1993
Occupational Exposure Limit-UNITED KINGDOM	time-weighted average 25 ppm (18 mg/m³);short term exposure limit 35 ppm (25 mg/m³), OCT2007
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Construction)	8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (35 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1926.55,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Federal Contractors)	8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (35 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 41,50-204.50,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (General Industry)	8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (35 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1910.1000,1994
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (Shipyards)	8H time-weighted average 50 ppm (35 mg/m³)	CFRGBR 29,1915.1000,1993

NIOSH Documentation and Surveillance

Organization	Standard	Reference
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level TO AMMONIA-air	10H time-weighted average 25 ppm;short term exposure limit 35 ppm	NIOSH* DHHS #92-100,1992
National Occupational Exposure Survey 1983	Hazard Code 05250; Number of Industries 270; Total Number of Facilities 42116; Number of Occupations 174; Total Number of Employees Exposed 805962; Total Number of Female Employees Exposed 287974
National Occupational Hazard Survey 1974	Hazard Code 05250; Number of Industries 363; Total Number of Facilities 115139; Number of Occupations 198; Total Number of Employees Exposed 1168429

Status in Federal Agencies

Organization	Reference
ATSDR TOXICOLOGY PROFILE (NTIS** PB/91/180315/AS)
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988, Inconclusive: D melanogaster Sex-linked lethal
EPA TSCA Section 8(b) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA Section 8(d) unpublished health/safety studies
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1994: Ammonia, 6015
NIOSH Analytical Method, 1996: Ammoinia by IC, 6016
On EPA IRIS database
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-164
OSHA ANALYTICAL METHOD #ID-188

Page last reviewed: November 16, 2018

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health