It may aerosolize and behave as a dense gas, even though it is normally lighter than air. Anhydrous ammonia may also cause water vapor to condense in the air forming a visible white cloud. Therefore, when anhydrous ammonia is released to the air, it may travel along the ground in a cloud instead of immediately rising into the air and dispensing. This dense gas behavior may increase the potential for exposure of workers, responders and the general public. Effects of inhalation of anhydrous ammonia range from lung irritation to severe respiratory injuries, with possible death at higher concentrations.
Anhydrous ammonia is also corrosive and can burn the skin and eyes.
When stored as a liquid, it has a boiling point of minus 28 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause freezing burns. Special precautions must be taken when handling anhydrous ammonia to avoid exposure of workers and others. People who work with this chemical on a daily basis, such as the refrigeration industry, are at risk of exposure and must be cautious. When stolen, the toxic gas can be unintentionally released, causing injuries to emergency responders, law enforcement personnel, and the public, as well as to the criminals themselves. Those 59 events resulted in 12 persons being injured and over 21,500 hours of lost productivity due to evacuations.