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Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3)

Quick Reference

What is NH3?

Alkaline gas that is compressed and stored in a liquefied sate. Colorless when gaseous, rapid release produces a white vapor cloud as it reacts with moisture in the air. Used in refrigeration and agriculture. Heavier than air and will “pool” in low-lying areas. Highly water soluble and causes immediate and severe corrosive injury to mucous membranes.

Crew Safety

  1. Staging/Perimeter
    • Small spill: 30 m in all directions, stage uphill/upwind.
    • Large spill: 1000 m for a railcar and 500 m for other sources, stage uphill/upwind.
    • Refer to ERG table 3 for wind considerations and perimeters for large spills.
  2. Additional Resources
    • HAZMAT team with SCBA’s and chemical protective clothing is required for patient retrieval
  3. PPE requirements
    • SCBA and chemical protective clothing for retrieval. BCEHS issued PPE is not sufficient.
    • Nitrile gloves for contact after decontamination (Latex gloves not sufficient)
  4. Safely initiating patient contact
    • Patients MUST be brought to paramedics in a safe location determined by HAZMAT team
    • Initial decontamination should occur prior to paramedic contact

Effect on the Patient

Reacts with water in mucous membranes to form ammonia hydroxide (a base). This can cause liquefactive necrosis of affected tissues. Severe upper airway burns are common as are chemical burns on eyes and skin. If exposure was prolonged effects may extend to lower airway causing pulmonary edema.

Patient Decontamination

  • All clothing removed. Do not transport contaminated clothing with the patient.
  • Flush skin with high-volume, low-pressure water with attention to skin-folds and other difficult to reach body areas
  • Eye’s take precedence: flush continuously until pH test confirms pH is neutral

Patient Treatment

  • Support ABC’s with as per BCEHS CPG’s. Continuous eye flushing.
  • Be prepared for rapid progression of upper airway edema.
  • Delayed effects on the respiratory system, patients should be transported for monitoring.

Safe Transfer of Care

Decontamination as outlined above minimises risk of secondary contamination. No special considerations.

Paramedic and Equipment Decontamination

Provided adequate decontamination occurred prior to paramedic contact no special decontamination is required. If accidental exposure of a paramedic occurred they should be decontaminated, assessed and treated in a clinical setting.

Quick Access Resources

DPIC Monograph

BC DPIC (PDF)

Paramedic Specialist Safety Data Sheet

PS Chemical Response Sheet (PDF)

Emergency Response Guidebook

ERG (PDF)

Revision History

Version Date Changes Author
1.0 2026-05-01 Initial version Clinical Hub