The Harmful Risks From Anhydrous Ammonia Use in Agriculture
(Figure #1: Charlie Litchfield/The Register)
What is Anhydrous Ammonia?
Anhydrous Ammonia is a common fertilizer used on farms around the world due to its easy application and availability. It is primarily used as a fertilizer source of nitrogen which assists with both plant growth and mold control.
The gas-like chemical has become known as potentially one of the most dangerous chemicals used on the farm (Baker, 1993). Because of the severity of the impacts this chemical has on both environmental and human health, there have been many incidences where Anhydrous Ammonia has resulted in major injury, mass displacement, and even death among workers and the communities surrounding areas that commonly use this substance. These incidents come not only from the actual distribution of Ammonia Anhydrous on crops, but also from other factors such as how the chemicals are stored, transported, and disposed of. These issues affect certain populations way more than others due to the low-income and ability of the workers at the facilities, the geographical location of these facilities in relationship to near-by towns, and more.
Figure #2: Creative Safe Supply
Risks Associated with Anhydrous Ammonia Use
Any human exposure to Anhydrous Ammonia is dangerous. Not only can this chemical cause problems when inhaled, but also when absorbed into the body through ingestion, eye contact, and even skin contact (CDC, 2011). For this reason, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required in many scenarios where employers handle the chemical. This PPE includes goggles or full-face shields, rubber gloves suitable against the Ammonia, and loose fitting, but also long clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, closed toed shoes, and long pants (AG-Safety, 2019).
Because of the lack of H2O in Anhydrous Ammonia, when the substance does come into contact with water, it produces a large visible vapor that is dangerous to come into contact with. Along with this, other dangers are possible, both in the physical and explosive sense. Some examples include attacking plastic and rubber substances, exploding under large amounts of heat, and catching fire or exploding if exposed to flame (CDC, 2011). A well-known example of these dangers is from Texas where, in 2013, a fertilizer plant that caught on fire had a massive explosion occur when the flame came into contact with the storage of anhydrous ammonia that was present on sight.
Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion Caught on Video (Figure #3: Wall Street Journal) - Explosion occurs at 1:25. Very loud!
This population of agricultural workers is very disproportionately affected by this chemical compared to others with different occupations. With the lack of safer chemicals to perform this same need for fertilization, these agricultural workers who are already facing low-income issues as farm workers must also risk their lives and wellbeing on a daily basis by dealing with this substance.
Figure #4: Self
Major Cases in America
Tyson Foods, Inc
In April of 2015, Tyson Foods, Inc agreed to a $4 million settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address eight separate ammonia leaks from Tyson facilities in multiple states. These accidents resulted in not only numerous injuries, but also one death (Manufacturing, 2013). By becoming involved with this settlement, the facilities throughout the Tyson company that commonly use Anhydrous Ammonia will ensure the proper use and disposal of the chemicals, and establish proper safety practices in these places (Kika, 2013). This includes not just safety changes for the workers, but safety changes for communities in the immediate area of these facilities who suffer from the environmental injustice associated with the leaks from Anhydrous Ammonia (Sandy, 2013).
Beach Park, Illinois
Beach Park, Illinois
Looking specifically at the town of Beach Park, Illinois, an incident involving a leak of a tractor containing Anhydrous Ammonia affected a large portion of the city; the exposure injured nearly 40 people. This situation was very dangerous because once the container leaked, it allowed the gas inside to have contact with the atmosphere, causing the substance to expand quickly creating a dangerous fume that was difficult to contain. It’s easier to mitigate an outbreak like this at soil level rather than in an airborne state (D’Onofrio et al., 2019).
The image to the right shows the cloud of gas that sat over the community during the morning of the leak, proving how expansive Ammonia Anhydrous can be in the presence of the atmosphere in an uncontrolled way.
Figure #5: Beach Park Fire Department
What also made this incident dangerous was the miscommunication between not only first-responders themselves, but the community in surrounding areas. Anyone within a mile radius of the accident were under a shelter in place watch and were advised to close all doors and windows and turn off air circulation systems. Although firefighters sent out these orders and went door-to-door through the town to check on people’s wellbeing (D'Onofrio et al., 2019), many more were affected than there should have been. The community was not educated on the dangers of the outbreak despite how often these tractors travel through the area, and this left many unsure and vulnerable in the situation.
Figure #6: Lake County Sheriff/Tribune Graphics
Severe Burn Case
Not only is inhalation and internal injury a concern with this chemical, but skin irritation and burns can cause major issues for those affected. With improper education and use of PPE, individuals who touch any amount of Anhydrous Ammonia can suffer severe burns. A severe burn related to Anhydrous Ammonia harmed a 28 year-old unidentified male, which caused 45% of his total body surface area with second or third degree burns (Amshel et al., 2000). This male suffered such burns due to the fact that he was wearing street clothes, and lack of PPE, when an explosion occurred at a fertilizer factory. His exposed skin was severely damaged resulting in years of rehabilitation and mental scarring of the trauma he faced.
Figure #7 and #8 (Relating to Burn Case): Amshel et al., 2000 Figure #9: Jithendran, 2013
A Possible Solution To Better Improve the Anhydrous Ammonia Risks
The most effective solution to the Anhydrous Ammonia exposure issue at hand is to focus on change within the facilities that handle such chemicals. A possibility would be to require OSHA regulated written procedures for handling Anhydrous Ammonia, including an emergency procedure for how to handle these chemicals in all situations when it’s needed in all companies that are associated with the chemical. Along with that, to require OSHA training on an annual basis is crucial for the safety of workers.
With an outside source intervening and providing preventative education to the employees, there is a more likely chance that the workers will retain the information and follow the procedures in times of need (Busick, 2017). This would include education on how to deal with the Anhydrous Ammonia in different scenarios such as when driving and when there are signs of a leak. Education is the best primary preventative measure possible to seeing efficient safety changes in the lines of agricultural work here in the United States.
