Toxicology: Ammonia exposure
exam questions and answers
2025(graded A+)
Refrigerant
Fertilizer
Household and Commercial cleaning agent - answer Ammonia is
widely used as what?
Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) - answer This is a highly irritating gas
that is very water-soluble; it is also a key ingredient in the illicit
production of methamphetamine.
chloramine gas - answer If chlorine or a hypochlorite solution is
mixed with ammonia, it creates what inhalant irritant with
properties similar to chlorine?
Caustic/Corrosive:
It rapidly produces and alkaline corrosive effect on contact with
moist tissues such as the eyes and upper respiratory tract.
This exothermic reaction results in both heat and chemical burns.
Liquid ammonia freezes tissue on contact and may cause full-
thickness tissue damage that penetrates deeper than the more
conspicuous superficial chemical burns. - answer What is the
mechanism of toxicity of ammonia?
, Farmers and Fire Fighters.
Farmer Industry: Industrial injury most often results from either
ammonia leaks in fertilizer tanks and hoses or toxic ammonia levels
in animal confinement buildings, where ammonia is adsorbed by
dust particles that transport it more directly to small airways.
Because of this synergistic effect, symptoms have reportedly
developed within minutes of entering animal confinement buildings.
Fire Fighters: Firefighters are at risk for exposure to this irritant
gas, as ammonia is liberated during combustion of nylon, silk, wood,
and melamine. - answer What occupation poses the risk of
exposure to ammonia?
Chronic bronchitis and COPD, particularly those with underlying
atopy (immediate allergy or sensitivity) - answer Farmers exposed
to high levels of ammonia may also have a higher likelihood of
developing what conditions?
Symptoms include rhinorrhea, scratchy throat, chest tightness,
cough, dyspnea, and eye irritation and usually subside within 24-48
hours. - answer Symptoms reported from entering animal
confinement buildings develop within minutes. Describe these
symptoms.
The upper airway mucosa - answer Following a brief ammonia
exposure, damage generally is limited to what?
significant injury - answer Absence of symptoms following
inhalational exposure to ammonia essentially rules out what?
FALSE
exam questions and answers
2025(graded A+)
Refrigerant
Fertilizer
Household and Commercial cleaning agent - answer Ammonia is
widely used as what?
Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) - answer This is a highly irritating gas
that is very water-soluble; it is also a key ingredient in the illicit
production of methamphetamine.
chloramine gas - answer If chlorine or a hypochlorite solution is
mixed with ammonia, it creates what inhalant irritant with
properties similar to chlorine?
Caustic/Corrosive:
It rapidly produces and alkaline corrosive effect on contact with
moist tissues such as the eyes and upper respiratory tract.
This exothermic reaction results in both heat and chemical burns.
Liquid ammonia freezes tissue on contact and may cause full-
thickness tissue damage that penetrates deeper than the more
conspicuous superficial chemical burns. - answer What is the
mechanism of toxicity of ammonia?
, Farmers and Fire Fighters.
Farmer Industry: Industrial injury most often results from either
ammonia leaks in fertilizer tanks and hoses or toxic ammonia levels
in animal confinement buildings, where ammonia is adsorbed by
dust particles that transport it more directly to small airways.
Because of this synergistic effect, symptoms have reportedly
developed within minutes of entering animal confinement buildings.
Fire Fighters: Firefighters are at risk for exposure to this irritant
gas, as ammonia is liberated during combustion of nylon, silk, wood,
and melamine. - answer What occupation poses the risk of
exposure to ammonia?
Chronic bronchitis and COPD, particularly those with underlying
atopy (immediate allergy or sensitivity) - answer Farmers exposed
to high levels of ammonia may also have a higher likelihood of
developing what conditions?
Symptoms include rhinorrhea, scratchy throat, chest tightness,
cough, dyspnea, and eye irritation and usually subside within 24-48
hours. - answer Symptoms reported from entering animal
confinement buildings develop within minutes. Describe these
symptoms.
The upper airway mucosa - answer Following a brief ammonia
exposure, damage generally is limited to what?
significant injury - answer Absence of symptoms following
inhalational exposure to ammonia essentially rules out what?
FALSE
