Related topics

Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. Although widely used, Ammonia is both caustic and hazardous. In the industrial workplace it is often thought of as an irritant but it can also be poisonous at higher levels. It is used as a refrigerant, cleaning product and building block for fertilizers and pharmaceuticals.

Typical applications where dangerous levels of Ammonia (NH3) might occur and benefit from a Ammonia gas detector are:

• Ammonia manufacturers
• Manufacturers using Ammonia as a cleanser
• Meat packing
• Refrigeration facilities (ice cream plants, food processing, ice rinks)
• Fertilizer production
• Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics manufacturing
• Textile mills

Ammonia irritates the respiratory system in higher concentrations.

Exposure Limits (Source: OSHA)

Following are Ammonia exposure limits that industries should be aware of when researching Ammonia gas detectors and gas detection systems.

• Agency	Exposure Limits
  OSHA PEL (General Industry)	50 ppm TWA
  OSHA PEL (Maritime)	50 ppm TWA
  ACGIH TLV	25 ppm TWA, 35 ppm STEL
  NIOSH REL	25 ppm TWA, 35 ppm STEL
  NIOSH IDLH	300 ppm

  Definitions:

  • TWA = Time Weighted Average exposure concentration for a normal 8-hour workday and 40-hour workweek
  • STEL = Short Term Exposure Limit (Usually a 15-minute time-weighted average exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday
  • NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
    • REL = Recommended Exposure Limit
    • IDLH = Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health Concentration
  • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
    • PEL = Permissible Exposure Limit
  • ACGIH (American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists)
    • TLV = Threshold Limit Value

Sierra Monitor has several different Ammonia gas detectors dependent upon the application.

• Model 5100-25-IT smart gas detector utilizes electrochemical technology to detect levels of Ammonia in the range 0 to 100 ppm.
• Model 4501-25 two-wire gas detector utilizes electrochemical technology to detect levels of Ammonia in the range 0 to 100 ppm.