Ammonia solution (CAS 1336-21-6): storage and disposal
School, college and university stores hold ammonia solution as 0.880 concentrated stock, about 35%, and as 2 M and dilute bottles for the bench. It is classified Danger for severe skin burns and eye damage, and very toxic to aquatic life. Concentrated ammonia gives off pungent vapour and can build pressure in a warm room. A bulging bottle or cap must be left unopened and reported to the specialist collector.
- CAS number
- 1336-21-6
- Form
- Solution
- Storage class
- Alkali
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Hazardous to the environment
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as alkali stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
Pressure and fumes decide where it goes: cool, low down and in a ventilated corrosive store, never on a sunny windowsill or above a radiator, since warm rooms build pressure in the concentrated bottle. Bleach is the partner to keep furthest away, because hypochlorites and ammonia form toxic chloramine gases. Keep iodine and silver salts on another shelf too, and acids on a separate tray. Bromine and carbon disulfide, where a university holds them, also stay apart. Because it is very toxic to aquatic life, a tray that can hold a leaking bottle matters.
How to tell it has deteriorated
The nose notices before the eye does: a sharp ammonia smell in a store cupboard points to a weeping cap or a bottle that has been vented. A bulging or tight cap on the concentrated bottle means pressure has built up, and it should be left alone. Crust or whitish residue around the neck, and stained or lifted labels, are the other early signs. Dilute 2 M bottles lose ammonia over time as it escapes, so an old bottle may no longer be its labelled strength even though it looks clear. A bottle with an unreadable strength should be recorded as unknown and not opened to check.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a corrosive alkali laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Specialist collection is the only way out. Ammonia solution must not go into a sink or a drain, which matters especially because it is very toxic to aquatic life, and nobody should neutralise it or let it evaporate. Concentrated and dilute bottles are packed in compatible groups with other alkalis, well away from any bleach or iodine stock. Record the strength: the 0.880 bottle is described differently from a 2 M or dilute one. Say plainly if a bottle has a bulging cap or a strong smell, so the collector can handle it with that in mind, and keep it upright in a tray meanwhile.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded inorganic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 07* |
| Human healthcare setting | 18 01 06* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- AcidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- OxidiserSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- Acetic acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- BromineBromine reacts violently with ammonia, reactive metals and many solvents.
- Calcium carbideReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Calcium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Calcium metalReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Carbon disulfideCarbon disulfide reacts violently with these materials.
- Chloramine THypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Hydrochloric acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
Show 15 more
- Hydrogen peroxideSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
- IodineIodine forms sensitive or violently reacting products with ammonia and reactive metals.
- Lithium aluminium hydrideReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Lithium metalReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- MercuryMercury forms amalgams or unstable compounds with these materials.
- Nitric acidAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- NitromethaneAmines and alkalis sensitise nitromethane to detonation.
- Potassium metalReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Potassium nitrateSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
- Potassium permanganateSome oxidisers react strongly with alkalis, and ammonia based stock is especially at risk.
- Silver nitrateSilver nitrate can form explosive silver compounds with these materials.
- Sodium dichloroisocyanurateHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Sodium hydrideReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
- Sodium hypochloriteHypochlorites and ammonia or amines form toxic chloramine gases.
- Sodium metalReacts with water, releasing heat and often a flammable or corrosive gas, so keep it away from all water based stock.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: 0.880 (about 35%), 2 M, dilute.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H400 Very toxic to aquatic life.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P264+P265 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P391 Collect spillage.
- P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Why is our 0.880 ammonia bottle bulging?
Concentrated ammonia gives off gas and builds pressure in warm rooms. Do not open it to relieve pressure. Leave it upright in a tray, somewhere cool and ventilated, and tell the collector it is under pressure when you book.
Can dilute ammonia be discarded on site?
No. The classification includes very toxic to aquatic life, so keep every bottle out of sinks and drains, and do not treat or evaporate it. A dilute bottle may be less hazardous than concentrated stock, but it still goes for specialist collection.
What should never be stored near ammonia solution?
Bleach and other hypochlorites, because they form toxic chloramine gases with ammonia. Keep iodine, silver salts and acids on separate shelves as well, and do not share a cupboard between ammonia and any bleach stock.
