Material Safety Data Sheet – Ammonium Chloride

Identification

Product Name: Ammonium Chloride
Chemical Formula: NH4Cl
Synonyms: Sal Ammoniac, Amchlor, Ammonium Muriate
CAS Number: 12125-02-9
Recommended Use: Soldering fluxes, electrolytes, food additive (E510), fertilizers
Manufacturer Details: Information from the supplier or manufacturer is written on product label
Emergency Phone Number: Found on product packaging and regional poison control centers

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (Category 4, Oral and Inhalation), Eye irritation (Category 2A)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or in contact with skin; causes serious eye irritation
Pictogram: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Do not eat, drink or smoke while using this product; avoid breathing dust; wash hands thoroughly after handling; in case of inadequate ventilation, wear respiratory protection

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Ammonium Chloride
Concentration: Greater than 99% by weight
Impurities/Additives: Trace amounts of moisture or other chlorides possible

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air; keep at rest; get medical attention if symptoms persist such as coughing, dizziness, or shortness of breath
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin with soap and plenty of water; seek medical help if irritation develops
Eye Contact: Immediately rinse with clean water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; get medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; do not induce vomiting; call a poison center or medical professional promptly
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation of respiratory tract, eyes, skin; may cause coughing or discomfort; large exposures can upset gastrointestinal system

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: No known restrictions, but avoid using strong jets of water directly on piles of dust
Specific Hazards: Decomposes upon heating releasing toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrogen chloride; container may rupture under fire conditions
Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective clothing; keep personnel away from smoke
Firefighting Instructions: Move containers from fire area if it can be done safely; apply cooling water to sides of containers exposed to flames

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Wear dust mask, protective gloves, goggles; ventilate area; avoid inhaling dust
Environmental Precautions: Prevent large releases from entering drains, sewers, or natural waterways
Methods for Cleanup: Collect material in dry, clean, sealable containers; clean residue with water; avoid creating airborne dust; use non-sparking tools and equipment

Handling and Storage

Safe Handling: Do not eat, drink, or smoke during use; use only with proper ventilation; avoid generating dust; wash hands after use
Storage Conditions: Store in tightly closed containers and a dry, well-ventilated place, away from heat, acids, and incompatible substances; keep containers labeled; segregate from oxidizers and reactive materials; store away from moisture; secure storage area to prevent unauthorized access
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, alkalis, nitrites, oxidizing agents

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV for Ammonium Chloride fume: 10 mg/m3 (TWA), 20 mg/m3 (STEL)
Engineering Controls: Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne exposure below limits
Personal Protective Equipment:
Eyes: Chemical safety goggles
Skin: Appropriate protective gloves and clothing
Respiratory: NIOSH-approved dust respirator when dust concentrations are excessive
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after handling; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: White, odorless crystalline powder
Molecular Weight: 53.49 g/mol
Melting Point: 338°C (decomposes)
Boiling Point: Sublimes at 520°C
Solubility in Water: 29.7 g/100 mL at 0°C; increases with temperature
Density: 1.527 g/cm3 at 25°C
Odor: No characteristic odor
Vapor Pressure: Negligible at room temperature
pH Value: Acidic in aqueous solution (approximately 5.5)
Flash Point: Not applicable
Explosion Limits: Not known to pose explosion hazard in dust clouds at usual concentrations
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not applicable

Stability and Reactivity

Stability: Stable under normal conditions of use and storage; absorbs moisture from air
Reactivity: Can react with strong acids, bases, and oxidizers; may release toxic gases if strongly heated
Decomposition Products: Ammonia and hydrogen chloride gases on thermal breakdown
Hazardous Polymerization: Does not occur
Conditions to Avoid: High humidity, excessive heat, and contact with incompatible materials

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity (Oral LD50): 1650 mg/kg (rat)
Acute Toxicity (Inhalation): Irritates respiratory tract; may cause coughing, headache, shortness of breath
Skin Irritation: May cause redness or discomfort after prolonged or repeated exposure
Eye Irritation: Causes serious eye irritation and possible corneal injury
Sensitization: Not classified as a skin sensitizer
Chronic Effects: Long-term exposure can irritate mucous membranes, though systemic effects rare without massive overexposure
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as carcinogenic by IARC, NTP, or OSHA
Mutagenicity and Reproductive Toxicity: Not known to cause genetic or reproductive effects at typical occupational exposures

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Harmful to aquatic life in significant concentrations; LC50 (Fish, 96 h): 209 mg/L (rainbow trout)
Persistent/Degradability: Dissolves and dissociates in water; inorganic compound not expected to bioaccumulate
Effects on Environment: May contribute to nutrient loading in water bodies, causing algal blooms and downstream ecosystem changes
Mobility in Soil: Dissolves easily and can move through soil to reach groundwater
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills may disrupt local microbial populations

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national regulations
Product Disposal: Collect and containerize material; small amounts can be dissolved with plenty of water and flushed in compliance with local rules; avoid release to surface waters
Packaging Disposal: Empty containers should be triple rinsed and disposed of as per hazardous waste guidelines; avoid reusing packaging
Methods for Contaminated Packaging: Treat as hazardous waste, do not dispose in general trash

Transport Information

UN Number: Not classified as hazardous for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Keep dry during transport; protect packaging from damage and moisture
International Regulations: Not listed by IMDG or IATA as a dangerous good

Regulatory Information

OSHA: Listed as hazardous based on acute toxicity and irritation criteria
TSCA: Listed on Toxic Substances Control Act inventory
EU Regulations: REACH registered; classified as harmful under CLP regulation
Canadian Regulations: Listed on DSL/NDSL; subject to WHMIS classification
Other Regulations: Local regulations may vary; consult local environmental and occupational safety authorities for detailed compliance
Label Elements: GHS compliant labeling with pictogram and warning statement required where applicable