Ammonia is often used for agricultural purposes, for refrigeration, and as a cleaner when dissolved in water. At room temperature it is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent, suffocating odor. It becomes a clear, colorless liquid under increased pressure. Ammonia is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel cylinders.
Anhydrous ammonia is the form used primarily in refrigeration and agriculture.
Ammonia dissolves in water to form ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive solution. Concentrations of ammonium hydroxide vary from 5 percent to 10 percent for household use and 25 percent or more for industrial use. They were transported to a hospital for observation. An ammonia cylinder ruptured at a distribution facility releasing 60 pounds. One worker was treated at the scene for respiratory irritation, and 4 volunteer firefighters were transported to a nearby hospital and treated for respiratory irritation.