71 Ammonia Facts That Will Teach You Everything About The Chemical

Ammonia is a naturally occurring compound that contains nitrogen and hydrogen.

Ammonia's odor is distinct and pungent, and it is found in sources both natural and human-made. It is commonly found in biological excrements from animals, birds, and insects.

The chemical is biologically toxic, but the human body has mechanisms to remove ammonia and ammonium compounds through an incredibly complex excretory system. Most of the world's ammonium helps sustain food production and thus helps provide sustenance for billions of people around the planet.

The global production of ammonia was 175 million ton (158.75 million met ton) in 2018 through industrial methods such as ammonia liquor and refrigerated anhydrous liquid ammonia.

Facts About Ammonia

• What are some interesting facts about ammonia? Let's find out!
• Ammonia gas is a compound with the formula NH3.
• Ammonia is made up of one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms.
• It is the second most manufactured compound after sulfuric acid (in quantity).
• Ammonia is naturally a colorless gas found in nature.
• Some volcanic deposits have also been found to contain crystals containing ammonium bicarbonate.
• It is known as anhydrous ammonia in its pure form.
• Ammonia is a form of nitrogenous waste found in various fauna.
• Rainwater contains ammonia compounds in the form of ammonium chloride and ammonium sulfate.
• About 45% of the world's food and fertilizers use ammonia in some capacity.
• Many pharmaceutical products use ammonia as a building block.
• Anhydrous ammonia is soluble in water, chloroform, ether, ethanol, and methanol.
• The boiling point of ammonia is -28.01 F (-33.33 C).
• Anhydrous ammonia is hygroscopic in nature (absorbs water readily).
• Ammonia solutions can form explosives when mixed with silver, mercury, or iodide salts.
• Ammonia has a distinct pungent odor; ammonia smells like urine or sweat.
• Ammonia vapor has an irritating, suffocating odor that acts as a warning to potential exposure.
• Sulfur sticks can be burned to detect ammonia leakage.
• Ammonia production is responsible for 2% of the world's energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions.
• Ammonia is even found in extraterrestrial locations throughout the solar system, such as Neptune, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Pluto, and other icy bodies.
• Ammonia is found in the soil from bacterial processes and in water supplies; ammonia also occurs naturally in animal wastes.
• Ammonia is produced naturally during the decomposition of organic matter.
• Ammonia is used as a source of nitrogen in the metabolic processes of nearly all living organisms.
• Uric acid, a compound containing ammonia, is excreted by most reptiles and birds.
• Ammonia can be found as a mineral in the form of ammonium chloride.
• The excrement of sea birds or Guano is a major source of ammonia.
• Ammonia can also be found in household cleaning products.
• Ammonia is also found in the environment as a part of the nitrogen cycle.
• Some cheeses contain small amounts of ammonia.
• The Haber-Bosch process is used to form ammonia by heating nitrogen and hydrogen gases at high temperatures and pressure with a catalyst.
• Solar thermal electrochemical production, or STEP, can be used to create green ammonia.
• The fermentation of urine by bacteria produces ammonium solution.
• In 1756, Joseph Black was the first to isolate gaseous ammonia.

Uses Of Ammonia

• Ammonia can have many possible uses, not unlike the other elements. Listed below are a few of the things ammonia produced in labs is used for.
• Ammonia is used as a component of refrigerant gas.
• Household ammonia cleaning solutions are widely used.
• Higher concentrations of ammonia solutions are used as industrial cleaners.
• This is why some feel ammonia has the familiar smell of household cleaners and cleaning solutions.
• Ammonia undergoes the peroxide process to make hydrazine.
• Hydrazine has a variety of uses, including, but not limited to, being used in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and even storable propellant for in-space spacecraft propulsion.
• The Raschig–Hooker process can be used to create chlorobenzene from ammonia.
• Chlorobenzene is widely used in paints, dyes, rubber, and more common products.
• Ammonia and carbon dioxide are also used to create urea.
• Urea is a component of various fertilizers and feed supplements, along with being used in plastic production.
• Nitric acid is created by chemically processing ammonia.
• Low concentrations of ammonia are used in the fermentation industry to adjust pH.
• Ammonia is also an antimicrobial agent for products.
• Some applications of ammonia are as a fuel component in rocket engines.
• Ammonium hydroxide (a caustic solution and weak base) is formed when ammonia gas is dissolved in water.
• Air-conditioning equipment contains ammonia gas as an ingredient.
• About 90% of ammonia produced helps sustain food production by being a fertilizer.
• A bacteria called rhizobium fixes nitrogen in the soil in the form of ammonia.
• In transition metal complexes, ammonia can act as a ligand.
• Phenol is formulated by the Raschig-Hooker process using ammonia.
• Phenol is then used to produce various things ranging from fibers to disinfectants
• Amino acids can be generated by using the Strecker amino-acid synthesis.
• Acrylonitrile is also formed using ammonia by undergoing the Sohio process.
• Ammonia was historically used as an antiseptic.

Side Effects Of Ammonia

• Now that you know the common uses of ammonia let's flip the coin and look at the other side.
• Ammonia is a highly toxic substance and is classified as dangerous for chemical safety.
• There is a 15-minute exposure limit for toxic substances (ammonia gas) set by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Ammonium hydroxide causes disruption of cell membrane lipids and tissue necrosis.
• The production of ammonia causes a large chunk of the world's CO2 emissions and global warming as a result.
• Ammonia solutions are irritating to mucous membranes, and caution should be taken.
• Mixing ammonia with products that contain chlorine, such as bleach, can create chloramine, which is irritating to the skin.
• Ammonia is not highly flammable but may explode on exposure to high temperatures.
• Higher concentrations of ammonia are considered a fire hazard.
• Ammonia fires corrosive and toxic fumes.
• Ammonia burns with a pale, yellowish-green flame when paired with oxygen.
• Ammonia can form explosives on reaction with halogens which are considered a safety hazard.

Symptoms Of Ammonia Intoxication

• Since ammonia intoxication is a very real possibility, it might be useful to know the symptoms.
• The human body can tolerate low levels of ammonia.
• No severe health effects are associated with typical amounts of ammonia exposure.
• Refrigerant gas leakages containing ammonia can be harmful to humans.
• Ammonia is highly corrosive and damages body cells on contact.
• Ammonia short-circuits the transport mechanism of potassium in the human body.
• Severe chest pain and wheezing can be caused by high levels of ammonia in the bloodstream.
• Excessive ammonia alters the body's metabolism.
• Ammonia vapor is severely irritating to the respiratory tract and eyes.