Qualitative Tier 2 Assessment - Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide - Santos Ltd
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Qualitative Tier 2 Assessment
Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide
In accordance with the Chemical Risk Assessment Framework (CRAF), chemicals assigned a Tier 2
designation require a hazard assessment and qualitative assessment of risk.
Consistent with National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), the
human health hazards for each chemical are characterised by analysing the toxicokinetics (the
absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the chemical in humans or laboratory
animals), acute toxicity, irritation and corrosivity, repeat dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity,
reproductive toxicity, and other health effects. The environmental hazards for each chemical are
characterized by analysing the environmental fate properties (such as mobility, persistence,
bioavailability and bioaccumulation), acute toxicity and chronic toxicity. In support of the hazard
assessment, a risk assessment dossier is prepared for each of the chemicals included in the
assessment.
The qualitative assessment of risk evaluates exposure to the vendor chemical that may occur during
activities that do not intentionally result in a release to the environment, but where a potential
release may occur. For this evaluation, these potential releases primarily are focused on the vendor
chemical transported to the well pad site or water management facility (WMF), chemicals utilised in
drilling fluid systems that may impact groundwater, residual chemicals that may be present in
hydraulic flowback and workover fluids and chemicals and chemicals and residues of chemicals that
may be present in water undergoing treatment or beneficially re-used.
Potentially complete exposure pathways (in that a source, a migration pathway, a mechanism for
exposure, and a potential receptor are present) are assessed herein to determine the potential for
risk (an incomplete pathway precludes an exposure occurring and an associated potential risk). In
this context, site setting and management protocols associated with the action are evaluated. Key
controls limiting the potential for exposure include:
Engineering controls (including fencing and secondary containment);
Storage (drums, totes and storage tanks) constructed in accordance with Australian
standards and managed and monitored in accordance with regulatory requirements;
Maintenance of access control restrictions during site activities that will preclude access by
the public, livestock and large native fauna; and,
Australia SafeWork Place and Santos Occupational Safety Guidance used to minimise human
health exposure.
As a result, the assessment for these Tier 2 chemicals includes the following components:
completing the screening; developing a risk assessment dossier and Predicted No Effect
Concentrations (PNECs) for water and soil; and, providing a qualitative discussion of risk. Each of
these components is detailed within this memorandum.
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Background
Ammonia (CAS No. 7664-41-7) dissolves readily in water to form the solution described as
ammonium hydroxide (CAS No. 1336-21-6). Ammonia is a component in a WMF product
(Ammonium Hydroxide 10-35%) used as a disinfectant during oily water treatment. A safety data
sheet (SDS) for the WMF product is included as Attachment 1. Process and usage information for
this chemical is included in Attachment 2 and summarised in Table 1.
Table 1 Water Management Facility Chemicals
Approximate Quantity
Stored On-Site
Proprietary Name Chemical Name CAS No. Use
(plant available
storage)
Ammonium Ammonium hydroxide 1336-21-6 Disinfectant 2 x 1000 L (IBC)
Hydroxide 10-35% Water 7732-18-5
CAS No = Chemical Abstracts Service Number
IBC = intermediate bulk container
L = litre
The assessment of toxicity of this chemical was used to develop initial screening criteria for human
health exposure scenarios and is presented in Attachment 3. Since an Australian Drinking Water
Guideline (ADWG) Value is available (see Table 2), toxicological reference values (TRVs) were not
derived for the chemical. A detailed discussion of the drinking water guideline values is presented in
Attachment 3.
Table 2 Australian Drinking Water Screening Values
Drinking Water Screening
Constituent (CAS No.) Drinking Water Screening Value
Guideline
Ammonia Ammonia 0.5 mg/L (aesthetics)
(7664-41-7)
CAS No = Chemical Abstracts Service Number
mg/L = milligram per litre
For ecological receptors, the assessment utilises the information presented in the dossiers on the
relative toxicity of the aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna to the chemical. This assessment
focuses on the aquatic invertebrate and fish species within the surface water resources, and the soil
flora and fauna associated with releases to the soil.
The determination of TRVs was conducted according to the PNEC guidance in the Environmental Risk
Assessment Guidance Manual for Industrial Chemicals prepared by the Australian Environmental
Agency (AEA, 2009). PNECs for freshwater and sediment were developed to assess aquatic
receptors, and PNECs for soil were developed for terrestrial receptors.
Table 3 present the chemical, the endpoint, no observed effect concentration (NOEC) (mg/L),
assessment factor, and the aquatic PNEC (mg/L). A PNEC for soil was not calculated for the chemical.
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Refer to Attachment 3 regarding the development of PNECs, or the rational for PNECs that do not
have a calculated PNEC.
Table 3 PNECs Water – Tier 2
EC50 or NOEC Assessment PNECwater
Constituents Endpoint
(mg/L) Factor (mg/L)
Ammonia - - - 0.9a
(7664-41-7)
a PNEC
water for ammonia is the ANZG Water Quality Guideline – Freshwater Trigger Value for total ammonia-N at pH 8.
EC50 = effects concentration – 50%
mg/L = milligram per litre
NOEC = no observable effects concentration
PNEC = predicted no effect concentration
Refer to Attachment 3 for information on the development of PNECs listed above.
A detailed assessment of the risks posed by this Tier 2 chemical is provided in the following sections.
General Overview
The molecular structure of ammonium hydroxide is presented in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1 Molecular Structure of Ammonium Hydroxide1
Ammonium hydroxide is a solution of ammonia in water. The term ‘ammonia’ refers to two chemical
species of ammonia that are in equilibrium in water: the un-ionised ammonia, NH3, and the ionised
ammonium ion, NH4+. The proportion of the two chemical forms in water varies with the physico-
chemical properties of the water, particularly pH and temperature. Under environmental conditions
(pH 5-8), the predominant form will be the ammonium ion (NH4+). As a result, hereafter within this
assessment, the term ammonia refers to ammonium hydroxide, ammonia or the
ammonia/ammonium ion.
Ammonia is rapidly converted to nitrate by nitrification under aerobic conditions in the aquatic
environment. Ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle. Biodegradation is not applicable to ammonia.
Ammonia is easily mineralised to the nitrite ion (NO2-) by numerous species of bacteria. Ammonia is
not expected to bioaccumulate in the environment because of its dissociation to the ammonium ion
and because it is part of the nitrogen cycles in air, soil and water. Ammonia has a low potential to
adsorb to soil and sediment.
The Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) assessment for ammonia is included in the dossier
provided in Attachment 3. Based on physico-chemical properties and screening data detailed below,
the overall conclusion was that ammonia is not a PBT substance.
1
Source https://chem.nlm.nih.gov/chemidplus/rn/startswith/1336-21-6
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Human Health Hazards
Ammonia has a moderate acute toxicity by the inhalation route. Depending on the concentration,
solutions of ammonia are corrosive, irritating or non-irritating. These solutions cause direct effects
to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. Vapours from aqueous solutions of
ammonia can cause respiratory irritation.
No systemic, reproductive or developmental toxicity was seen in rats at oral doses up to 1,500
milligrams per kilogram-day (mg/kg-day) diammonium phosphate in a combined repeated dose
toxicity and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening (OECD 422) study. Ammonia is not
genotoxic.
TRVs were not derived for ammonia. The ADWG value for ammonia is 0.5 milligrams per litre (mg/L)
based on aesthetics (see Table 2). A detailed discussion of the drinking water guideline values is
presented in Attachment 3.
The life cycle of chemicals, including ammonia, used during the treatment of produced water at the
WMF includes the following general categories: transportation of chemicals; beneficial reuse, which
is post-treatment transfer (pipeline or trucking) and use of water; and, storage of brine post
treatment. During the water treatment, water conveyance and beneficial reuse processes, there is
the potential for human receptors to be exposed to water treatment chemicals. Based on an
assessment of land use and an understanding of the project description provided in the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (URS, 2014) and the CRAF developed for the GFD Project
Area, potential human receptors include:
1. Workers at the WMF including operators, maintenance staff and supervisors.
2. Agricultural workers/residents at irrigation areas.
Based on the treatment process described in Attachment 2, ammonia would be present in permeate
but is not directed to the brine pond. Therefore, exposure pathways associated with the beneficial
reuse of treated water would be potentially complete. Beneficial reuse of treated water includes
project reuse (dust suppression, construction activities, drilling and completions), irrigation and
stock watering.
In terms of risks associated with transport of chemicals and wastes, this risk is considered to be
managed to a level as low as reasonably practicable. This is because the potential for a release is
controlled through implementation of traffic management principles including use of designated
trucking routes, vehicle signage, vehicle management systems (to manage speed and driving
behaviour/habits) and in the unlikely event of a vehicular accident, implementation of incident and
spill response procedures. Given the highly regulated nature of transportation of chemicals (at both
a Commonwealth and State level), transport-related scenarios are not evaluated further in this
assessment. However, the outcome of the assessment should be used to inform emergency
response actions.
Exposure of workers to ammonia is possible via inadvertent spills and leaks, during the recycling and
beneficial reuse of treated water (e.g., permeate) and during application of the recovered material
to land. However, chemical exposures to workers are controlled through engineering, management
controls and personal protective equipment, which are focused on elimination and mitigation of the
potential for dermal contact and potential for incidental ingestion. In addition, Australia SafeWork
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Place and Santos Occupational Safety Guidance are used to minimise human health exposure. As a
result, petroleum workers, are also excluded from assessment. No potentially complete exposure
pathways were identified.
The management of chemicals and wastes is conducted using drums, totes and engineered tanks
designed to contain the fluids. In the unlikely event of a release to ground, the potential for
exposures (other than workers) is limited. The WMF is fenced and access is controlled, which limits
access to the public. If water treatment chemicals are spilled to the ground then investigation,
remediation and rehabilitation activities would be implemented to address soil impacts.
Exposure of potential receptors (other than workers) is also possible to residual chemicals in areas
adjacent to a well lease that have been used for the application of materials for beneficial reuse. The
primary land use within the development area is agricultural (grazing on improved or unimproved
pastures), and it is sparsely populated. There may be potential for human receptors such as
residents and agricultural workers to be exposed to residual chemicals in ponded irrigation water or
irrigated soil via direct contact (ingestion and dermal) and inhalation pathways. Relative potential
exposure to agricultural workers/residents is considered low due to the remote location of the well
leases and the sparse population. In addition, activities are undertaken in operational and controlled
areas of the well lease.
However, Environmental Authority (EA) or Beneficial Use Approval conditions regulate project reuse.
A plan for the beneficial reuse of materials has been developed by a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP)
in accordance with the EA conditions which require materials of a certain quality and controls the
maximum volumes that can be applied to land. In addition, the application techniques and location
of application are controlled with specific monitoring required. Irrigation areas are designed to
manage the risk of pooling and runoff with a general deficit irrigation strategy employed; and, are
fitted with monitoring bores to manage the risk of vertical and horizontal migration. Additional
details regarding mitigation and management controls are discussed in the CRAF.
As a result, potential exposures during treatment activities are low due to the employment of
mechanical equipment/processes, engineering controls (including secondary containment) and
other mitigation and management strategies. Similarly, there is a low potential for human receptors
exposed to surface water bodies that may receive runoff from beneficial reuse applications. Finally,
the probability of any surface related discharge infiltrating subsurface soils and migrating to
groundwater is very low.
Environmental Hazards
In standard aquatic toxicity tests, ammonia is moderately toxic to a variety of aquatic and terrestrial
organisms on both an acute and chronic basis. In general, the effect concentration is on the order of
a low to mid part per million range. The chronic no observable effect concentrations (NOECs)
reported in ANZG (2018) for ammonia for aquatic species are greater than 1 mg/L, except for a
mollusc found in New Zealand. It is unknown whether a similar sensitive species is found in Australia.
Ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle. Biodegradation is not applicable to ammonia or the
ammonium ion. Ammonia is also not expected to bioaccumulate in the environment because of its
dissociation to the ammonium ion.
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The ANZG (2018) for ammonia in freshwaters is: “A freshwater high reliability trigger value of 900
mg/L TOTAL ammonia-N was calculated at pH 8.0 [emphasis added] using the statistical distribution
method with 95% protection. This translates to about 900 mg/L un-ionised ammonia-N at 20oC.”
No experimental toxicity data on sediment or soil organisms are available. Octanol/water partition
coefficient (Kow) and organic carbon-water partition coefficient (Koc) parameters do not readily apply
to inorganics, such as ammonia or the ammonium ion. Thus, the equilibrium partitioning method
cannot be used to calculate PNECs for soil or sediment. Based on its properties, ammonia and the
ammonium ion are not expected to significantly adsorb to soil, and the assessment of this
compartment will be covered by the aquatic assessment.
During water treatment, water conveyance and beneficial reuse processes, there is the potential for
environmental receptors to be exposed to water treatment chemicals such as ammonia. Pipelines
(where treated water is conveyed) can transect sensitive ecological areas (including Matters of
National Environmental Significance [MNES]). At the WMF, the potential for exposure of sensitive
receptors (including MNES) is considered low as these facilities are existing and are operational
industrial facilities (and thereby provide no habitat value). The industrial activities and operation of
equipment do not make it a setting conducive to incursion of fauna. For instance, the WMF is fenced
and access is controlled, which precludes entry by livestock.
Based on the engineering and management controls described in the previous section (Human
Health Hazards), there is a low potential for ecological receptors exposed to surface water bodies
that may receive runoff from an accidental release. There is also concern that recovered material
applied to the land surface could migrate to groundwater or surface water, and therefore result in
adverse effects to the environment (e.g., uptake by aquatic receptors). Due to EA conditions
regulating land application techniques, the remote nature of the well leases, vertical separation of
groundwater and distances to watercourses, the ephemeral nature of the watercourses and the
physical and chemical properties of the residual chemicals post treatment or beneficial reuse, these
potential exposures are low.
References
Australian Environmental Agency (AEA). (2009). Environmental Risk Assessment Guidance Manual
for Industrial Chemicals, Commonwealth of Australia. Available:
http://www.nepc.gov.au/resource/chemical-risk-assessment-guidance-manuals
ADWG. (2011). National Water Quality Management Strategy. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines,
Section 6, Australian Government, National Health and Medical Research Council, Natural
Resource Management Ministerial Council. Updated January 2022. Available:
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines (ANZG). (2018). Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for
Fresh and Marine Water Quality. Australian and New Zealand Governments and Australian
state and territory governments, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
https://www.waterquality.gov.au/anz-guidelines.
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URS. (2014). Santos GLNG Project: Gas Field Development Project Environmental Impact Statement.
Available: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/coordinator-general/assessments-
and-approvals/coordinated-projects/completed-projects/santos-glng-gas-field-
development-project/eis-documents
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Attachment 1 Safety Data SheetSafety Data Sheet
Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%)
Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
1. IDENTIFICATION
Product Name Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%)
Other Names Ammonia aqua; Ammonia Aqueous, 23%; Ammonia Aqueous, 25%; Ammonia solution; Ammonia water; Ammonia,
aqueous solution; Ammonium liquor
Uses Cleaning/washing agents and additives; explosives; pH regulating agent; photochemical; flotation agent; laboratory
chemical; manufacture of other chemicals.
Chemical Family No Data Available
Chemical Formula H5NO
Chemical Name Ammonium, aqueous solution
Product Description Strongly alkaline.
Contact Details of the Supplier of this Safety Data Sheet
Organisation Location Telephone
Redox Pty Ltd 2 Swettenham Road +61-2-97333000
Minto NSW 2566
Australia
Redox Pty Ltd 11 Mayo Road +64-9-2506222
Wiri Auckland 2104
New Zealand
Redox Inc. 3960 Paramount Boulevard +1-424-675-3200
Suite 107
Lakewood CA 90712
USA
Redox Chemicals Sdn Bhd Level 2, No. 8, Jalan Sapir 33/7 +60-3-5614-2111
Seksyen 33, Shah Alam Premier Industrial Park
40400 Shah Alam
Sengalor, Malaysia
Emergency Contact Details
For emergencies only; DO NOT contact these companies for general product advice.
Organisation Location Telephone
Poisons Information Centre Westmead NSW 1800-251525
131126
Chemcall Australia 1800-127406
+64-4-9179888
Chemcall Malaysia +64-4-9179888
Chemcall New Zealand 0800-243622
+64-4-9179888
National Poisons Centre New Zealand 0800-764766
CHEMTREC USA & Canada 1-800-424-9300 CN723420
+1-703-527-3887
2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Poisons Schedule (Aust) Schedule 6
Globally Harmonised System
Redox Pty Ltd Australia New Zealand Malaysia
Corporate Office Sydney Phone +61 2 9733 3000 Adelaide Auckland Kuala Lumpur
Locked Bag 15 Minto NSW 2566 Australia Fax +61 2 9733 3111 Brisbane Christchurch USA
2 Swettenham Road Minto NSW 2566 Australia E-mail sydney@redox.com Melbourne Hawke’s Bay Los Angeles
All Deliveries: 4 Holmes Road Minto NSW 2566 Australia Web www.redox.com Perth UK Oakland
ABN 92 000 762 345 Sydney London Mexico
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 1 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:06 SaltilloSafety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
Hazard Classification Hazardous according to the criteria of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals (GHS)
Hazard Categories Acute Toxicity (Oral) - Category 4
Skin Corrosion/Irritation - Category 1C
Specific Target Organ Toxicity (Single Exposure) - Category 3
Acute Hazard To The Aquatic Environment - Category 1
Pictograms
Signal Word Danger
Hazard Statements H302 Harmful if swallowed.
H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
H335 May cause respiratory irritation.
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
AUH071 Corrosive to the respiratory tract
Precautionary Statements Prevention P260 Do not breathe mist/vapour/spray.
P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.
P273 Avoid release to the environment.
P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Response P303 + P361 + P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with water/shower.
P310 Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician.
P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact
lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P301 + P330 + P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
P391 Collect spillage.
P304 + P340 IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position
comfortable for breathing.
Storage P403 + P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
P405 Store locked up.
Disposal P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local / regional / national /
international regulations.
National Transport Commission (Australia)
Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (ADG Code)
Dangerous Goods Classification Dangerous Goods according to the criteria of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Road & Rail (ADG Code)
Environmental Protection Authority (New Zealand)
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Act 2015
HSNO Classifications Health 6.1D Substances that are acutely toxic - Harmful
Hazards
8.1A Substances that are corrosive to metals
8.2C Substances that are corrosive to dermal tissue UN PGIII
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 2 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
8.3A Substances that are corrosive to ocular tissue
Environmental 9.1A Substances that are very ecotoxic in the aquatic environment
Hazards
9.3C Substances that are harmful to terrestrial vertebrates
3. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
Chemical Entity Formula CAS Number Proportion
Ammonia, aqueous solution Unspecified 1336-21-6 >10 -Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
Upper Explosion Limit 25 %
Auto Ignition Temperature No Data Available
Hazchem Code 2R
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
General Response Procedure Ensure adequate ventilation - Ventilate enclosed spaces before entering. ELIMINATE all ignition sources. Do not
touch or walk through spilled material. Do not breathe vapours and prevent contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Clean Up Procedures Absorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to suitable, properly labelled containers for
disposal (see SECTION 13).
Containment Stop leak if safe to do so - Prevent entry into waterways, drains or confined areas. Cover with plastic sheet to prevent
spreading. Use water spray to knock down vapours.
Decontamination Carefully neutralise using dilute hydrochloric acid.
Environmental Precautionary Prevent entry into drains and waterways - If contamination of sewers or waterways has occurred, advise local
Measures emergency services.
Evacuation Criteria Spill or leak area should be isolated immediately. Keep unauthorised personnel away. Keep upwind and to higher
ground. Large spill: Immediately contact Police or Fire Brigade; Consider initial downwind evacuation of areas within
at least 250 m.
Personal Precautionary Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing (see SECTION 8).
Measures Large spill: Wear SCBA and chemical splash suit. Fully-encapsulating, gas-tight suits should be worn for maximum
protection.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling Safety showers and eyewash facilities should be provided within the immediate work area for emergency use. Ensure
adequate ventilation. Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Do not breathe
mist/vapours and prevent contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Do not ingest. Wear protective gloves/protective
clothing/eye protection/face protection (see SECTION 8).
Storage Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight. Keep container tightly closed when not in use -
Check regularly for leaks. Keep away from heat and sources of ignition - No smoking. Keep away from foodstuffs and
incompatible materials (see SECTION 10). Store locked up.
Container Keep in the original container.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
General No specific exposure standards are available for this product. For Ammonia:
- Safe Work Australia (SWA) Exposure Standard: TWA = 25 ppm (17 mg/m3); STEL = 35 ppm (24 mg/m3).
- New Zealand Workplace Exposure Standard (WES): TWA = 25 ppm (17 mg/m3); STEL = 35 ppm (24 mg/m3).
Exposure Limits No Data Available
Biological Limits No information available.
Engineering Measures A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures as low as possible. Local
exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source,
preventing dispersion of it into the general work area.
Personal Protection Equipment - Respiratory protection: In case of inadequate ventilation, wear respiratory protection. Recommended: Supplied-air
respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus (refer to AS/NZS 1715 & 1716).
- Eye/face protection: Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact. Recommended:
Chemical goggles, full face shield (Not required if wearing full-face, air-supplied mask).
- Hand protection: Wear protective gloves. Recommended: Elbow-length, impervious gloves.
- Skin/body protection: Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact. Recommended: Overalls, splash
apron, rubber boots.
Special Hazards Precaustions No information available.
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 4 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
Work Hygienic Practices Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Always wash hands before smoking, eating, drinking or using
the toilet. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash contaminated clothing and other protective
equipment before storage or re-use.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Physical State Liquid
Appearance Clear liquid
Odour Sharp, irritating
Colour Colourless
pH 11.6 - 11.7 (1% aqueous solution)
Vapour Pressure 6.9 - 10.5 psi (@ 20 °C)
Relative Vapour Density 0.6 Air = 1
Boiling Point 18 - 37 °C
Melting Point -72 °C
Freezing Point No Data Available
Solubility Miscible with water
Specific Gravity 0.88 - 0.92
Flash Point No Data Available
Auto Ignition Temp No Data Available
Evaporation Rate No Data Available
Bulk Density No Data Available
Corrosion Rate No Data Available
Decomposition Temperature No Data Available
Density No Data Available
Specific Heat No Data Available
Molecular Weight 35.05
Net Propellant Weight No Data Available
Octanol Water Coefficient No Data Available
Particle Size No Data Available
Partition Coefficient No Data Available
Saturated Vapour Concentration No Data Available
Vapour Temperature No Data Available
Viscosity No Data Available
Volatile Percent 100 %
VOC Volume No Data Available
Additional Characteristics No information available.
Potential for Dust Explosion Not applicable.
Fast or Intensely Burning No information available.
Characteristics
Flame Propagation or Burning No information available.
Rate of Solid Materials
Non-Flammables That Could The presence of oil or other combustible material will increase the fire hazard.
Contribute Unusual Hazards to a
Fire
Properties That May Initiate or Non-combustible; Material itself does not burn.
Contribute to Fire Intensity
Reactions That Release Gases Fire or heat will produce irritating, toxic and/or corrosive gases, including ammonia, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen.
or Vapours
Release of Invisible Flammable Ammonia vapours may form explosive mixtures with air; may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
Vapours and Gases
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 5 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
General Information Reacts violently with acids. Reacts exothermically with strong mineral acids. May form explosive compounds with
mercury, halogens, and hypochlorites.
Chemical Stability Flammable ammonia gas will be liberated at all temperatures, which may form explosive mixtures with air.
Conditions to Avoid Keep away from heat and sources of ignition.
Materials to Avoid Incompatible/reactive with acids, oxidising agents, metal halides, silver compounds, mercury, halogens and ethylene
oxide; Corrosive to aluminum and zinc; Attacks copper, nickel, tin and brass.
Hazardous Decomposition Fire or heat will produce irritating, toxic and/or corrosive gases, including ammonia, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen.
Products
Hazardous Polymerisation No information available.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
General Information - Acute toxicity: Harmful if swallowed. May be harmful if inhaled. Swallowing may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,
abdominal pain and chemical burns to the mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract. Inhalation of high concentrations
may cause severe breathing difficulties, chest pain and lung damage, including pulmonary oedema and death.
- Skin corrosion/irritation: Corrosive to skin; Causes severe skin burns.
- Eye damage/irritation: Corrosive to eyes; Causes serious eye damage.
- Respiratory/skin sensitisation: No information available.
- Germ cell mutagenicity: Not considered to have significant genotoxic potential [NICNAS].
- Carcinogenicity: Considered to have a low potential to cause carcinogenic effects [NICNAS].
- Reproductive toxicity: Not expected to cause specific reproductive or developmental toxicity [NICNAS].
- STOT (single exposure): Inhalation of mists/vapours/aerosols causes respiratory irritation (nose, throat, mucous
membranes); May be corrosive to the respiratory tract.
- STOT (repeated exposure): Not expected to cause systemic effects following repeated exposure, although local
effects in the gastrointestinal tract, eye and respiratory tract irritation, could occur [NICNAS]. Repeated or prolonged
exposure may cause bronchitis.
- Aspiration toxicity: No information available.
Acute
Ingestion Acute toxicity (Oral):
COMPONENT: Ammonium hydroxide (CAS No. 1336-21-6):
- LD50, Rats: 350 mg/kg bw. [NICNAS].
Carcinogen Category None
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity Aquatic toxicity:
- LC50, Fish (Rainbow trout): 0.53 mg/L (96 h) [for Ammonia; Supplier's SDS].
- EC50, Crustacea (Daphnia magna): 0.66 mg/L (48 h) [Supplier's SDS].
Persistence/Degradability The material is biodegradable.
Mobility No information available.
Environmental Fate Very toxic to aquatic life - Avoid release to the environment.
Bioaccumulation Potential Does not bioaccumulate.
Environmental Impact No Data Available
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
General Information Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national regulations.
Special Precautions for Land Fill No information available.
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 6 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Land Transport (Australia)
ADG Code
Proper Shipping Name AMMONIA SOLUTION, relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15°C in water, with more than 10%
but not more than 35% ammonia
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Subsidiary Risk(s) No Data Available
EPG 37 Toxic And/Or Corrosive Substances Non-Combustible
UN Number 2672
Hazchem 2R
Pack Group III
Special Provision No Data Available
Land Transport (Malaysia)
ADR Code
Proper Shipping Name AMMONIA SOLUTION relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15°C in water, with more than 10%
but not more than 35% ammonia
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Subsidiary Risk(s) No Data Available
EPG 37 Toxic And/Or Corrosive Substances Non-Combustible
UN Number 2672
Hazchem 2R
Pack Group III
Special Provision No Data Available
Land Transport (New Zealand)
NZS5433
Proper Shipping Name AMMONIA SOLUTION, relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15°C in water, with more than 10%
but not more than 35% ammonia
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Subsidiary Risk(s) No Data Available
EPG 37 Toxic And/Or Corrosive Substances Non-Combustible
UN Number 2672
Hazchem 2R
Pack Group III
Special Provision No Data Available
Land Transport (United States of America)
US DOT
Proper Shipping Name AMMONIA SOLUTION relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15°C in water, with more than 10%
but not more than 35% ammonia
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Subsidiary Risk(s) No Data Available
ERG 154 Substances - Toxic and/or Corrosive (Non-Combustible)
UN Number 2672
Hazchem 2R
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 7 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
Pack Group III
Special Provision No Data Available
Sea Transport
IMDG Code
Proper Shipping Name AMMONIA SOLUTION relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15°C in water, with more than 10%
but not more than 35% ammonia
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Subsidiary Risk(s) No Data Available
UN Number 2672
Hazchem 2R
Pack Group III
Special Provision No Data Available
EMS F-A, S-B
Marine Pollutant Yes
Air Transport
IATA DGR
Proper Shipping Name AMMONIA SOLUTION, relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15 °C in water, with more than 10%
but not more than 35% ammonia
Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Subsidiary Risk(s) No Data Available
UN Number 2672
Hazchem 2R
Pack Group III
Special Provision No Data Available
National Transport Commission (Australia)
Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (ADG Code)
Dangerous Goods Classification Dangerous Goods according to the criteria of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Road & Rail (ADG Code)
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
General Information No Data Available
Poisons Schedule (Aust) Schedule 6
Environmental Protection Authority (New Zealand)
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Amendment Act 2015
Approval Code HSR001526
National/Regional Inventories
Australia (AICS) Listed
Canada (DSL) Not Determined
Canada (NDSL) Not Determined
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 8 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
China (IECSC) Not Determined
Europe (EINECS) Not Determined
Europe (REACh) Not Determined
Japan (ENCS/METI) Not Determined
Korea (KECI) Not Determined
Malaysia (EHS Register) Not Determined
New Zealand (NZIoC) Listed
Philippines (PICCS) Not Determined
Switzerland (Giftliste 1) Not Determined
Switzerland (Inventory of Notified Not Determined
Substances)
Taiwan (NCSR) Not Determined
USA (TSCA) Not Determined
16. OTHER INFORMATION
Related Product Codes AMAQUB1000, AMAQUB1200, AMAQUB1201, AMAQUB2500, AMAQUB2501, AMAQUB2600, AMAQUB5000,
AMAQUB5001, AMAQUB6000, AMAQUB6500, AMAQUB7000, AMAQUB7001, AMAQUE0700, AMAQUE0701,
AMAQUE0800, AMAQUE0900, AMAQUE1000, AMAQUE1001, AMAQUE1002, AMAQUE1003, AMAQUE1004,
AMAQUE1005, AMAQUE1006, AMAQUE1007, AMAQUE1008, AMAQUE1009, AMAQUE1010, AMAQUE1011,
AMAQUE1012, AMAQUE1015, AMAQUE1050, AMAQUE1100, AMAQUE1115, AMAQUE1200, AMAQUE1300,
AMAQUE1400, AMAQUE1500, AMAQUE1600, AMAQUE1800, AMAQUE1801, AMAQUE1802, AMAQUE1803,
AMAQUE1804, AMAQUE1805, AMAQUE1806, AMAQUE1807, AMAQUE1808, AMAQUE1809, AMAQUE1810,
AMAQUE1811, AMAQUE1812, AMAQUE1813, AMAQUE1814, AMAQUE1815, AMAQUE1816, AMAQUE1817,
AMAQUE1818, AMAQUE1819, AMAQUE1820, AMAQUE1821, AMAQUE1822, AMAQUE1823, AMAQUE1824,
AMAQUE1825, AMAQUE1826, AMAQUE1827, AMAQUE1828, AMAQUE1829, AMAQUE1830, AMAQUE1831,
AMAQUE1832, AMAQUE1833, AMAQUE1834, AMAQUE1835, AMAQUE1836, AMAQUE1843, AMAQUE2000,
AMAQUE2001, AMAQUE2500, AMAQUE3000, AMAQUE4000, AMAQUE4500, AMAQUE5000, AMAQUE5200,
AMAQUE5500, AMAQUE5501, AMAQUE5521, AMAQUE5700, AMAQUE5800, AMAQUE5900, AMAQUE6000,
AMAQUE6100, AMAQUE6200, AMAQUE6300, AMAQUE6301, AMAQUE6302, AMAQUE6303, AMAQUE6304,
AMAQUE6305, AMAQUE6306, AMAQUE6307, AMAQUE6400, AMAQUE6500, AMAQUE6600, AMAQUE6700,
AMAQUE6800, AMAQUE6900, AMAQUE7000, AMAQUE7200, AMAQUE7300, AMAQUE7800, AMAQUE7900,
AMAQUE7901, AMAQUE8000, AMAQUE8200, AMAQUE8201, AMAQUE8202, AMAQUE8205, AMAQUE8300,
AMAQUE8301, AMAQUE8400, AMAQUE8500, AMAQUE8800, AMAQUI1000, AMAQUI1001, AMAQUI1004,
AMAQUI1006, AMAQUI4000, AMAQUI5000, AMAQUI5800, AMAQUI6000, AMAQUI6100, AMAQUI6400,
AMAQUI7000, AMAQUI7001, AMAQUI7002, AMAQUI7070, AMAQUI7500, AMAQUI7501, AMAQUI8000
Revision 4
Revision Date 25 Jul 2019
Key/Legend < Less Than
> Greater Than
AICS Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances
atm Atmosphere
CAS Chemical Abstracts Service (Registry Number)
cm² Square Centimetres
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
COD Chemical Oxygen Demand
deg C (°C) Degrees Celcius
EPA (New Zealand) Environmental Protection Authority of New Zealand
deg F (°F) Degrees Farenheit
g Grams
g/cm³ Grams per Cubic Centimetre
g/l Grams per Litre
HSNO Hazardous Substance and New Organism
IDLH Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 9 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Safety Data Sheet Aqueous ammonia (>10 - 35%) Revision 4, Date 25 Jul 2019
immiscible Liquids are insoluable in each other.
inHg Inch of Mercury
inH2O Inch of Water
K Kelvin
kg Kilogram
kg/m³ Kilograms per Cubic Metre
lb Pound
LC50 LC stands for lethal concentration. LC50 is the concentration of a material in air which causes the death of
50% (one half) of a group of test animals. The material is inhaled over a set period of time, usually 1 or 4 hours.
LD50 LD stands for Lethal Dose. LD50 is the amount of a material, given all at once, which causes the death of 50%
(one half) of a group of test animals.
ltr or L Litre
m³ Cubic Metre
mbar Millibar
mg Milligram
mg/24H Milligrams per 24 Hours
mg/kg Milligrams per Kilogram
mg/m³ Milligrams per Cubic Metre
Misc or Miscible Liquids form one homogeneous liquid phase regardless of the amount of either component
present.
mm Millimetre
mmH2O Millimetres of Water
mPa.s Millipascals per Second
N/A Not Applicable
NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NOHSC National Occupational Heath and Safety Commission
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Oz Ounce
PEL Permissible Exposure Limit
Pa Pascal
ppb Parts per Billion
ppm Parts per Million
ppm/2h Parts per Million per 2 Hours
ppm/6h Parts per Million per 6 Hours
psi Pounds per Square Inch
R Rankine
RCP Reciprocal Calculation Procedure
STEL Short Term Exposure Limit
TLV Threshold Limit Value
tne Tonne
TWA Time Weighted Average
ug/24H Micrograms per 24 Hours
UN United Nations
wt Weight
Form 21047, Revision 3, Page 10 of 10, 13-Oct-2021 02:05:05Santos Ltd
Qualitative Tier 2 Assessment – Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide
March 2022
Attachment 2 Vendor WMF Chemicals and Exposure Point
ConcentrationAttachment 2
Summary of Exposure Point Concentration Development
(Water Treatment Chemicals)
Annual Usage (ROP
Proper Shipping Transport Onsite Storage Operation Purpose /
Product Name Chemical Name CAS Number % Supplier Area volumes based on
Name Function
peak rate of 10ML/d)
mass/volume concentration mass/volume concentration mass/volume concentration
Ammonium Hydroxide 1336-21-6 10-35% Reverse used to form
Ammonium Ammonia
REDOX Osmosis 1000L (IBC) 20% 2 x 1000L (IBC) 20% 2 mg/L (AVG) 20% 7300L monochloramine /
Hydroxide 10-35% Aqueous Solution
Plant disinfectant
Water 7732-18-5 65-90%
AVG = average
CAS = Chemical Abstracts Service
COPC = constituent of potential concern
IBC = intermediate bulk container
L = litres
mg/kg = milligrams per kilogram
mg/L = milligrams per litre
ML/d = millilitre per day
NA = not applicable
ROP = reverse osmosis process
1 of 2Attachment 2
Summary of Exposure Point Concentration Development
(Water Treatment Chemicals)
Permeate Brine
Product Name Chemical Name CAS Number Fate Concentration Concentration
(mg/L) Permeate notes (mg/L) Brine Notes
Will stay as ammonia or ammonium (NH4+) and approximately 50:50. Therefore,
Ammonium Hydroxide 1336-21-6 Unreacted / residual 0.0175 residual ammonia = 2 mg/L * 35%*0.5 = 0.35 mg/L. At a rejection efficiency of NA Not directed to brine pond
Ammonium
ammonia to Desalinated 95%, the estimated concentration of ammonia in the permeate is 0.0175 mg/L.
Hydroxide 10-35%
Water Balance Pond
Water 7732-18-5 NA NA
AVG = average
CAS = Chemical Abstracts Service
COPC = constituent of potential concern
IBC = intermediate bulk container
L = litres
mg/kg = milligrams per kilogram
mg/L = milligrams per litre
ML/d = millilitre per day
NA = not applicable
ROP = reverse osmosis process
2 of 2Santos Ltd
Qualitative Tier 2 Assessment – Ammonia and Ammonium Hydroxide
March 2022
Attachment 3 Risk Assessment DossierAMMONIA (CAS NO. 7664-41-7)
AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE (CAS NO. 1336-21-6)
This dossier on ammonia and ammonium hydroxide presents the most critical studies pertinent to
the risk assessment of ammonia and ammonium hydroxide in their use in water treatment systems.
It does not represent an exhaustive or critical review of all available data. The majority of
information presented in this dossier was obtained from the ECHA database that provides
information on chemicals that have been registered under the EU REACH (ECHA) and the OECD-SIDS
category for ammonia (OECD, 2007). Where possible, study quality was evaluated using the Klimisch
scoring system (Klimisch et al., 1997).
Screening Assessment Conclusion – Ammonia and ammonium hydroxide were not identified in
chemical databases used by NICNAS as an indicator that the chemicals are of concern and are not a
PBT substance. Ammonia and ammonium hydroxide was assessed as tier 2 chemicals for acute and
chronic toxicity. Therefore, ammonia and ammonium hydroxide are classified overall as tier 2
chemicals and require a hazard assessment and qualitative assessment of risk.
1 BACKGROUND
Ammonia (CAS No. 7664-41-7) dissolves readily in water to form the solution described as
ammonium hydroxide (CAS No. 1336-21-6). In water, ammonia is in equilibrium with the ammonium
ion (NH4+), depending on the pH. Under environmental conditions (pH 5-8), the predominant form
will be the ammonium ion (NH4+).
Ammonia or ammonium ion is rapidly converted to nitrate by nitrification under aerobic conditions
in the aquatic environment. Ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle. Biodegradation is not applicable
to ammonia or the ammonium ion. Ammonia (or the ammonium ion) is easily mineralised to the
nitrite ion (NO2-) by numerous species of bacteria. Ammonia is not expected to bioaccumulate in the
environment because of its dissociation to the ammonium ion and because it is part of the nitrogen
cycles in air, soil and water. Ammonia and the ammonium ion have a low potential to adsorb to soil
and sediment.
The acute toxicity of ammonia is moderate by the inhalation route. Depending on the concentration,
solutions of ammonia are corrosive, irritating or non-irritating. These solutions cause direct effects
to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. Vapours from aqueous solutions of
ammonia can cause respiratory irritation. No target organ effects were seen in rats given ammonia
by oral gavage or in feed for up to two years. Ammonia is not genotoxic. There were no increases in
tumours when rats were fed ammonia in their diet for two years. A reproductive and developmental
screening toxicity (OECD 422) study showed no reproductive or developmental effects in rats when
given oral gavage doses of an aqueous solution of ammonia.
Ammonia is acutely toxic to aquatic life. The ANZG guidelines for fresh and marine water quality
(ANZG, 2018) has a freshwaters trigger value of 900 µg/L TOTAL ammonia-N at pH 8.0.
Revision date: March 2022 12 CHEMICAL NAME AND IDENTIFICATION
Chemical Name (IUPAC): Ammonia
CAS RN: 7664-41-7
Molecular formula: NH3
Molecular weight: 17 g/mol
Synonyms: Ammonia, ammonia gas, ammonia anhydrous, liquid ammonia
Chemical Name (IUPAC): Ammonium Hydroxide
CAS RN: 1336-21-6
Molecular formula: H5NO or NH4OH
Molecular weight: 35.05 g/mol
Synonyms: Ammonia, aqueous solution; aqua ammonia; ammonia, monohydrate; ammonia liquor;
ammonia water
3 PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Key physical and chemical properties for the substances are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1 Overview of the Physico-chemical Properties of Ammonia
Property Value Klimisch Reference
score
Physical state at 20oC and Colourless gas 2 ECHA
101.3 kPa
Melting Point -77.7oC @ 101.3 kPa 2 ECHA
Boiling Point -33.15oC @ 101.3 kPa 2 ECHA
Vapour Pressure 861,100 Pa @ 20oC 2 ECHA
Partition Coefficient (log Kow) 0.23 @ 20 oC - ECHA
Water Solubility 482 g/L @ 25oC 2 ECHA
Dissociation constant (pKa) 9.25@ 25oC 2 ECHA
Table 2 Overview of the Physico-chemical Properties of Ammonium Hydroxide
Property Value Klimisch Reference
score
Physical state at 20oC and Colourless aqueous solution - PubChem
101.3 kPa
Melting Point -77oC @ 101.3 kPa 2 OECD, 2007
Boiling Point 36oC, pressure not specified 4 OECD, 2007
Vapour Pressure 287,800 Pa @ 20oC 2 OECD, 2007
Partition Coefficient (log Kow) Not applicable - OECD, 2007
Water Solubility Miscible 2 OECD, 2007
Dissociation constant (pKa) 1.77 @10-5 @ 25oC - USEPA, 2016
Revision date: March 2022 24 DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY INFORMATION
A review of international and national environmental regulatory information was undertaken (Table
3). This chemical is listed on the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances – AICS (Inventory). No
conditions for its use were identified. No other specific environmental regulatory controls or
concerns were identified within Australia and internationally for ammonia.
NICNAS has assessed ammonium hydroxide in an IMAP Tier 1 assessment and concluded that it
poses no unreasonable risk to the environment. It is a reactive substance which rapidly converts into
species of low ecotoxicological concern. This chemical, and its degradant species, are not expected
to pose an unreasonable risk to the environment provided that ANZECC water quality guidelines for
physical and chemical stressors are not exceeded1.
Table 3 Existing International Controls
Convention, Protocol or other international control Listed Yes or No?
Montreal Protocol No
Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGG) No
Rotterdam Convention No
Stockholm Convention No
REACH (Substances of Very High Concern) No
United States Endocrine Disrupter Screening Program No
European Commission Endocrine Disruptors Strategy No
5 ENVIRONMENTAL FATE SUMMARY
Ammonium hydroxide is a solution of ammonia in water. The term ‘ammonia’ refers to two chemical
species of ammonia that are in equilibrium in water: the un-ionised ammonia, NH3, and the ionised
ammonium ion, NH4+. The proportion of the two chemical forms in water varies with the physico-
chemical properties of the water, particularly pH and temperature.
The following equilibria occurs at ambient environmental conditions:
NH+ + H2O ↔ NH3 + H+
NH3 + H2O ↔ NH4+ + OH-
Under environmental conditions (pH 5-8), the predominant form will be the ammonium ion (NH4+).
As pH decreases, the concentration of the ammonium ion will increase, while the un-ionised
ammonia concentration will decrease.
Ammonia is volatile and once exposed to open air, liquid ammonia quickly turns into a gas and forms
ammonia gas. Ammonia is a colourless gas at room temperature and pressure. Gas-phase ammonia
1https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/chemical-information/search-
assessments?assessmentcasnumber=%201336-21-6
Revision date: March 2022 3will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals and nitrate radicals (PubChem). Ammonia is very soluble in water, the solubility being around 482 g/L at 25°C. Ammonia or ammonium ion is rapidly converted to nitrate by nitrification under aerobic conditions in the aquatic environment (OECD, 2007). Ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle. Biodegradation is not applicable to ammonia or the ammonium ion. Ammonia (or the ammonium ion) is easily mineralised to the nitrite ion (NO2-) by numerous species of bacteria (OECD, 2007). Ammonia is not expected to bioaccumulate in the environment because of its dissociation to the ammonium ion and because it is part of the nitrogen cycles in air, soil and water. Ammonia and the ammonium ion have a low potential to adsorb to soil and sediment. 6 HUMAN HEALTH HAZARD ASSESSMENT A. Summary The acute toxicity of ammonia is moderate by the inhalation route. Depending on the concentration, solutions of ammonia are corrosive, irritating or non-irritating. These solutions cause direct effects to the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract. Vapours from aqueous solutions of ammonia can cause respiratory irritation. No target organ effects were seen in rats given ammonia by oral gavage or in feed for up to two years. Ammonia is not genotoxic. There were no increases in tumours when rats were fed ammonia in their diet for two years. A reproductive and developmental screening toxicity (OECD 422) study showed no reproductive or developmental effects in rats when given oral gavage doses of an aqueous solution of ammonia. B. Acute Toxicity The oral LD50 of aqueous ammonia (as ammonium hydroxide) in rats is 350 mg/kg (Smyth et al., 1941). [Kl. score = 2] The 1-hour LC50 values of ammonia in rats are 9,850 mg/m3 for males and 13,770 mg/m3 for females (Appelman et al., 1982). [Kl. score = 2] C. Irritation Application of a 12% aqueous solution of ammonia (as ammonium hydroxide) to the skin of rabbits for four hours under occlusive conditions was corrosive. A 10% aqueous solution was not corrosive under similar conditions (ECHA). [Kl. score = 2] No eye irritation studies are available. D. Sensitisation No studies are available. Revision date: March 2022 4
E. Repeated Dose Toxicity Oral In a combined repeated dose toxicity study with the reproduction/developmental toxicity screening test (OECD 422), male and female Crj: CD(SD) male and female rats were dosed by oral gavage with 0, 250, 750 or 1,500 mg/kg diammonium phosphate. The exposure period for the toxicity subgroup was 35 days. There was no treatment-related deaths and no clinical signs of toxicity. The 1,500 mg/kg males had reduced (22% of controls) body weight gain and feed consumption. Activated partial thromboplastin time was reduced in the 750 and 1,500 mg/kg males. In males: elevated alkaline phosphatase (750 and 1,500 mg/kg; 132% and 131% of controls); reduced glucose and phosphorus levels (1,500 mg/kg; 79% and 82% of controls); reduced total protein (750 and 1,500 mg/kg; 93% and 91% of controls); slightly elevated albumin/globulin ratio (1,500 mg/kg; 117% of controls). In females: decreased phosphorus levels (1,500 mg/kg; 81% of controls). No details were given as to whether these values were within normal range. The functional observation battery (FOB) and motor activity results showed no treatment-related effects. Relative kidney and liver weights were increased in the 1,500 mg/kg females compared to controls. Reddening of the extremities were seen in all dose groups during the first week of the study but were reduced as the study progressed. Histopathologic examination showed submucosal inflammation of the stomach at all dose levels, which was not statistically significant at 250 mg/kg-day. Given the lack of histopathological findings (excluding the irritation effect seen in stomach), the serum chemistry changes do not seem indicative of an adverse effect. The NOAEL for general toxicity is 250 mg/kg- day (ECHA). [Kl. score = 1] Male and female F344 rats were fed in their diet 0, 0.1, 0.6 or 3% ammonium sulfate for 52 weeks. The estimated daily intakes were: 0, 42, 256 and 1,527 mg/kg-day for the males; and 0, 48, 284 and 1,490 mg/kg-day for the females. There was a significant increase in kidney and/or liver weights in the 3% dietary group. No effects were noted for survival, body weights, hematology, serum chemistry, or histopathology. The kidney and liver weight changes do not appear to be an adverse effect because of no corresponding serum chemistry and/or histopathological changes in these organs. The NOAEL for this study is 3% in the diet, corresponding to 1,527 and 1,490 mg/kg-day for males and females, respectively (Ota et al., 2006). [Kl. score = 2] Male and female F344 rats were fed in their diet 0, 1.5 or 3% ammonium sulfate for 104 weeks. The estimated daily intakes were: 0, 564 and 1,288 mg/kg-day for the males; and 0, 650 and 1,371 mg/kg-day for the females. Body weights and feed consumptions were similar across all groups. There was an increased incidence of chronic nephropathy in the male rats, which was statistically significant only in the 1.5% dietary group (Ota et al., 2006). [Kl. score = 2] Inhalation The study of ammonia exposure in workers in a soda ash plant with support from three studies in urea fertilizer plants was identified as the principal study for the derivation of an inhalation reference concentration (RfC). Respiratory effects, characterized as increased respiratory symptoms based on self-report (including cough, wheezing, and other asthma-related symptoms) and decreased lung function in workers exposed to ammonia, were selected as the critical effect. An RfC of 0.5 mg/m3 was calculated (USEPA, 2016). Revision date: March 2022 5
Additional information can be found in USEPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
assessment for ammonia available on-line at:
https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/iris2/chemicalLanding.cfm?substance_nmbr=422
Dermal
No studies are available.
F. Genotoxicity
Table 4 lists the in vitro genotoxicity studies on ammonia and ammonium sulfate.
In Vitro Studies
Table 4 In Vitro Genotoxicity Studies on Ammonia and Ammonium Sulfate
Test System Test Substance Results* Klimisch Reference
Score
-S9 +S9
Bacterial reverse mutation (S. Anhydrous ammonia - - 2 ECHA
typhimurium and E. coli strains)
Bacterial reverse mutation (S. Ammonium sulfate - - 1 ECHA
typhimurium strains)
*+, positive
In Vivo Studies
Male ddY mice were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 0, 62.5, 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg
ammonium chloride. There were no increases in the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes at
any dose level (Hayashi et al., 1988).
Male ddY mice were given intraperitoneal injections of 0, 31.3, 62.6, 125 or 250 mg/kg ammonium
chloride on four consecutive days. There were no treatment-related increases in the frequency of
micronucleated erythrocytes at any dose level (Hayashi et al., 1988).
G. Carcinogenicity
Male and female F344 rats were fed in their diet 0, 1.5 or 3% ammonium sulfate for 104 weeks. The
estimated daily intakes were 0, 564 and 1,288 mg/kg-day for the males; and 0, 650 and 1,371 mg/kg-
day for the females. Body weights and feed consumptions were similar across all groups. The tumour
incidences were similar between the treated and control groups (Ota et al., 2006). [Kl. score = 2]
H. Reproductive/Developmental Toxicity
In a combined repeated dose toxicity study with the reproduction/developmental toxicity screening
test (OECD 422), male and female Crj: CD(SD) male and female rats were dosed by oral gavage with
0, 250, 750 or 1,500 mg/kg diammonium phosphate. The males and females were treated for 28 and
53 days, respectively. There were no reproductive or developmental toxicity at any dose level. The
NOAEL for reproductive and developmental toxicity is 1,500 mg/kg-day (ECHA). [Kl. score = 1]
Revision date: March 2022 6You can also read
