Why is Ammonia Useful? - Spencer Carrington


    

        Windex, carpet cleaners, disinfectants, and even fertilizers. A wide array of products all intended for different purposes. But did you know that these all contain ammonia?


Ammonia, or nitrogen trihydride (NH3), is a diverse gaseous chemical that can be used for a handful of different purposes. For example, while it was primarily used as a component of fertilizers in the early 1900’s, ammonia is now also used in household cleaning products, and even as an industrial explosive (Greenberg et al., 2019, p. 9). But what makes ammonia so effective in all of these uses? As an additive in fertilizers, ammonia is an important base that binds to air-borne nitrogen particles. Ammonia is the key to making effective fertilizers that put food on our tables as the world’s population continues to grow (Thyssenkrupp, n.d.). On the other hand, ammonia is especially useful as a cleaning agent given its alkaline nature. With a pH of 11, ammonia can easily cut through grease and grime, leaving surfaces smooth and shiny, which is why it is a common chemical found within clearing products (Sharma, 2023)!


Despite having its benefits, users should be aware of the risks associated with ammonia. If concentrated enough within household cleaning solutions, ammonia can cause severe burns to the skin, irritate the eyes, or burn one’s lungs if inhaled in large enough quantities (Fisher Science Education, 2014). This is why it is highly important to wear proper PPE (personal protective equipment), and ensure proper ventilation when using products containing ammonia for limited risk of burns or irritation.


References

Caesararum. (2008, September 13). Walgreen's told me to! [Photograph]. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/29707865@N05/2852631660


Fisher Science Education. (2014). Safety data sheet: Ammonia. https://www.fishersci.ca/content/dam/fishersci/en_US/documents/programs/education/regulatory-documents/sds/chemicals/chemicals-a/S25164.pdf


Greenberg, E., Hill., C. T., & Newburger, D. J. (2019). Regulation, market prices, and process innovation: The case of the ammonia industry. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group


Sharma, S. (2023, August 2). What cleaning products contain ammonia? https://ammoniagas.com/what-cleaning-products-contain-ammonia/#:~:text=Ammonia%20is%20a%20versatile%20substance,making%20it%20an%20effective%20cleaner


Thyssenkrupp. (n.d.). Ammonia in agriculture: The engine of plant growth. Retrieved February 6, 2024, from https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/stories/sustainability-and-climate-protection/ammonia-in-agriculture:-the-engine-of-plant-growth


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