Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 4.4
Half mask respirator: A—absorbing cartridge/filter; and B—body
of respirator.
(STP),* is used as a fertilizer. It is stored, transported, and applied in a liquid form from
pressurized tanks. A leak from any pressurized tank is a potentially lethal situation, and
anhydrous ammonia is no exception. Ammonia fumes are choking. They cause eyes to
water, and can quickly overcome workers. A complete face-covering gas mask designed
for ammonia must be available when handing ammonia and must be worn when
contending with ammonia leaks
Gaseous ammonia reacts with water in air and soil to form ammonium hydroxide,
which is a strong base. Highly concentrated ammonium solutions continuously give off
ammonia gas. Because of these character-istics it is possible to find pockets of ammonia-
saturated water in soil after a spill. Disturbing these pockets can release enough ammonia
gas to overcome a person sampling the field. Many other situations that may release
noxious gases can be encountered in field sampling, and this makes having a respirator
readily available essential for safety in field sampling.
* Standard temperature and pressure is 0°C (32°F) and 101 kPa (1 atmosphere).
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