What is Ammonia?
The chemical make-up of ammonia is NH3. This means that there is one Nitrogen atom bound to three Hydrogen atoms. Ammonia can be a weak acid or a weak base, depending on what type of chemical it is suspended in. Ammonia has a strong, pungent odor that is easily recognizable in cleaning products, cat urine, and, for some people, sweat! The key to ammonia in urine and sweat is the nitrogen. The only macronutrient in your body that contains nitrogen is amino acids, the building blocks of protein. In fact, many bodybuilders are always seeking a “positive nitrogen balance” meaning that less nitrogen leaves their body than enters their body. Since nitrogen is in every amino acid, and amino acids are the building blocks of muscle, someone in positive nitrogen balance is more than likely gaining muscle mass. Your body uses amino acids for energy every day. There is no way to avoid this. Your body constantly goes into catabolic (tissue breakdown) and anabolic (tissue building) phases. When you
Ammonia, chemical symbol NH3, can take the form of a strong smelling liquid or gas. Most popularly, consumer and commercial products use the alkaline substance to clean grime or fertilize crops. Even in low concentrations, inhaling ammonia or getting the solution on your skin can cause burning, fainting, or death, so always use caution when handling this chemical. Ammonia has one nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms tightly bonded. A tiny amount of ammonia forms when organic matter decomposes, so the gas can be found naturally in our atmosphere. However, we get most of our ammonia through artificial means by bonding the four atoms together by sheer force. Then the gas can be pressurized to form a liquid for easy distribution to manufacturing plants. As a gas, ammonia is lighter than air, so it won’t pool indoors like other dangerous gases, such as propane. While it has a very pungent, distinctive odor, it’s clear and difficult to combust unless highly concentrated. This makes ammonia
Ammonia occurs naturally and is produced by human activity. It is an important source of nitrogen which is needed by plants and animals. Bacteria found in the intestines can produce ammonia. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a very distinct odor. This odor is familiar to many people because ammonia is used in smelling salts, many household and industrial cleaners, and window-cleaning products. Ammonia gas can be dissolved in water. This kind of ammonia is called liquid ammonia or aqueous ammonia. Once exposed to open air, liquid ammonia quickly turns into a gas. Ammonia is applied directly into soil on farm fields, and is used to make fertilizers for farm crops, lawns, and plants. Many household and industrial cleaners contain ammonia.
Ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a sharp, suffocating odor. It easily dissolves in water to form a caustic solution called ammonium hydroxide. It is not highly flammable, but containers of ammonia may explode when exposed to high heat. About 80% of the ammonia produced is used in fertilizers. It is also used as a refrigerant and in the manufacture of plastics, explosives, pesticides, and other chemicals. It is found in many household and industrial-strength cleaning solutions. What immediate health effects can result from ammonia exposure? Most people are exposed to ammonia from breathing the gas. They will notice the pungent odor and experience burning of the eyes, nose, and throat after breathing even small amounts. With higher doses, coughing or choking may occur. Exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause death from a swollen throat or from chemical burns to the lungs. Skin contact with ammonia-containing liquids may cause burns. Eye exposure to concentrated gas
Ammonia is a colorless liquid or gas with a very sharp odor. The odor is familiar to most people because ammonia is used in smelling salts and household cleaners. It is also found in water, soil and air, and is a source of much-needed nitrogen for plants, animals and humans. Most of the ammonia in the environment comes from the natural breakdown of manure, dead plants and animals. How can someone come into contact with ammonia?
