Ammonia gas is colorless and has an unpleasant odor. Even in small concentrations it can cause serious breathing complications. Ammonia is used in the manufacturing, cooling process.
Signs and symptoms of poisoning
For short-term action:
• eye irritation;
• runny nose, sneezing, cough;
• feeling of itching or heartburn in the throat;
• headache.
With moderate and long-term action:
• difficulty swallowing;
• strong secretion of saliva;
• breathing problems, suffocation;
• chest pain;
• fainting, comma, death.
First aid for ammonia gas poisoning
First aid is the same as for chlorine poisoning. You just need to remember that a regular gas mask does not protect against ammonia; you need a special filter. For protection, you can use a cotton-gauze bandage moistened with a five percent citric acid solution.