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Product Safety Data Sheet - Group 1 PDF Print E-mail
Safety Data - Granular Fertilisers

This Product Safety Data Sheet applies exclusively to products manufactured or marketed by members of the Agricultural Industries Confederation. It does not apply to any other product of similar name or nature. The products covered will be clearly identified by the name of the marketer and/or manufacturer on the associated labels and/or documents. Qualifying product will be marked as follows:

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE PRODUCT AND THE COMPANY

1.1 Identification of the Product

  • Products in Group 1 are solid straight nitrogen fertilisers based on ammonium nitrate and which are classified as oxidising substances.
  • They are identified as such by the yellow oxidising symbol and the relevant UN number (see Section 14).
  • The nitrogen content must not be less than 20%.
  • The designation includes mixtures of ammonium nitrate with chemically inert materials or limestone and/or dolomite. It covers a range of products including UN No 2067, 2068 and 2069 products. However, in practice, products containing limestone and/or dolomite and with nitrogen content <28% are designated as Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN). They have no UN numbers assigned; a specific Safety Data Sheet (PSDS Group 3) has been prepared for these products.

This Product Safety Data Sheet also applies to products which have UN No 2072 (see Section 14)

1.2 Company

See details below

2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

These products will contain ammonium nitrate and may contain some or all of the following ingredients:-
  • Ammonium sulphate
  • Magnesium nitrate
  • Limestone or dolomite
  • Inert fillers such as sand
  • Coating materials such as oil, amine, clay or talc

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

3.1 Human Health

Products are of a low toxicity but prolonged skin or eye contact may cause some irritation.
Ingestion: Small quantities are unlikely to cause toxic effects.
Large quantities may give rise to gastro-intestinal disorders and in extreme cases (particularly in children) formation of methaemoglobin ("blue baby" syndrome) and cyanosis (indicated by blueness around the mouth) may occur. No adverse long term effects are known.
Inhalation: Low toxicity dust but high concentration of air-borne material may cause irritation of the nose and upper respiratory tract with symptoms such as sore throat and coughing. Generally regarded as a nuisance dust with no specific official Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL). Recommend a total inhalable dust standard for nuisance dust of 10 mg/m3 as an 8 hour Time Weighted Average. See HSE Guidance Notes EH 40 and HSG 173.
Molten material: Will cause burns and inhalation of decomposition gases (eg in a fire) may cause serious delayed lung effects.

3.2 Environment

Ammonium nitrate is a nitrogen fertilizer. Heavy spillage may cause adverse environmental impact such as eutrophication in confined surface waters or nitrate contamination. See Section 12.

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

Product

Skin contact: wash the affected area with soap and water
Eye contact: irrigate eyes with copious amounts of eyewash solution or water for at least 10 minutes. Obtain medical advice if symptoms persist.
Ingestion: do not induce vomiting. Give milk or water to drink. Obtain medical attention if more than small quantities have been swallowed.
Inhalation: remove from source of exposure to dust. Keep warm and at rest. Obtain medical advice if symptoms persist.
Fire and Thermal Decomposition Products
Skin contact: wash areas in contact with molten material. Wash copiously with cold water. Seek medical advice.
Inhalation: remove from source of exposure to fumes. Keep warm and at rest.

5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES

When the fertiliser is not directly involved in the fire, use the best means available to control the fire.
When the fertiliser is involved:-
  • Avoid breathing the fumes. Wherever possible wear an approved breathing mask when fighting a fire or when fumes are being emitted.
  • Call the fire brigade.
  • Use plenty of water.
  • Open doors and windows to give maximum ventilation.
  • Do not use chemical extinguishers or foams or attempt to smother the fire with steam or sand.
  • Do not allow molten fertiliser to run into drains.
If safe to do so prevent the contamination of the fertiliser by oil and other combustible materials. If water containing the fertiliser enters any drain or water course, inform the appropriate water authorities immediately.
Note also first aid precautions (4).

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

Clean up spillage promptly. Sweep up and place in a clean appropriately labelled container. Do not allow to mix with sawdust and other combustible or organic substances.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

7.1 Handling: Avoid excessive generation of dust.

Avoid contamination by materials such as diesel oil,
grease and other combustible materials. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the atmosphere to prevent moisture pick-up.

7.2 Storage:

The basic requirements are the avoidance of involvement in a fire and contamination. Locate away from sources of heat, fire or explosion. Keep away from combustible materials and chemical substances taking particular care on farms to ensure that it is not stored near hay, grain, diesel, etc. Ensure high standard of house-keeping in the storage areas. Do not permit smoking or the use of naked lights in the storage area. Restrict stack size to 300 tonnes at non-manufacturing sites and keep 1 metre distance between stacks. Buildings used for storage should be dry and well ventilated, stacks therein should be at least 1 metre from walls, eaves and beams. Further guidance is given in HSE Guidance IND(G)230L.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROL/PERSONAL PROTECTION

8.1 Occupational exposure limits

No specific official limits
ACGIH recommended value (1995-1996) for inhalable particulate: TLV/TWA 10mg/m3 .

8.2 Precautionary and engineering measures

Avoid high dust concentration and provide ventilation where necessary.

8.3 Personal Protection

Wear suitable gloves when handling the product over long periods.
Use suitable dust respirator if dust concentration is high.
After handling product, wash hands and observe good hygiene practice.

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Appearance

White or off-white granules or prills unless
deliberately coloured during manufacture.
Odour
Odourless.
pH water solution (100g/l)
> 4.5.
Melting point
160-170°C depending on moisture content.
Boiling point
> 210°C (decomposes).

Explosive properties

Not explosive as per EEC test A14 (67/548/EEC).
The fertilizer has a high resistance to detonation.
This resistance is decreased by the presence f contaminants and/or high temperatures.
Heating under strong confinement (e.g. in tubes or drains) may lead to a violent reaction
or explosion especially if there is contamination by some of the substances mentioned under Section 10.3.

Oxidizing properties

Can support combustion and oxidize.
Not classified as an oxidizing material according
to Directive 67/548/EEC and test A17.

Bulk density

Normally between 900-1100kg/m3

Solubility in water

Pure ammonium nitrate:
1900g/l of water at 20°C.
Hygroscopic - readily picks up moisture from the air.

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

  • Stable under normal storage and handling conditions. Oxidising agent therefore can enhance the combustion of combustible materials.
  • Liberates ammonia when in contact with alkalies eg Caustic Soda, Soda Ash.
  • Not itself combustible. Melts and decomposes when heated strongly with molten material starting to form between 160 - 165°C.
  • On decomposition gives off water vapour and toxic fumes which may contain oxides of nitrogen and ammonia.
  • Decomposition is accelerated by a number of substances such as acids; carbonaceous materials; chromates; zinc, copper and their alloys; chlorates and reducing agents.
  • Has a high resistance to detonation. This resistance is decreased by a number of factors such as the presence of contaminants and/or high temperature.
  • Heating under strong confinement (eg in tubes or drains) may lead to a violent reaction or explosion, especially if there is contamination by substances mentioned above.
  • Do not weld or apply heat to equipment or plant which may have contained the fertiliser without first washing thoroughly to remove all fertiliser.

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

11.1 General

Ammonium nitrate itself is basically harmless when handled correctly. When heated it can give off toxic gases. See Section 3.1.

11.2 Toxicity Data

LD50 (oral, rat) > 2000mg/kg
May cause methæmoglobinæmia See Section 3.1.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

12.1 Mobility

Very soluble in water. The nitrate ion is mobile. The ammonium ion is adsorbed by soil.

12.2 Persistence/Degradability

The nitrate ion is the predominant form of plant nutrition. It follows the natural nitrification/denitrification cycle to give nitrogen.

12.3 Bio-accumulation

The product does not show any bio-accumulation phenomena.

12.4 Ecotoxicity

Low toxicity to aquatic life. TLM 96 between 10-100ppm.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Depending on the degree of contamination, dispose of by use on farm, by spreading thinly on open ground or to an authorised waste facility. Take care to avoid the contamination of watercourses and drains. Inform the appropriate water authority in the event of accidental watercourse contamination.

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

14.1 UN classification

Class 5, Division 5.1 Oxidizing Substances UN Nos. 2067, 2068, 2069 and 2072 depending on composition. See Section 14.2.
They are not classified as hazardous material for supply purposes according to EC Directive 67/548/EEC and CHIP

14.2 Details

 

UN No

Class

Transport Mode

Particulars

>0.2% combustible

Inert materials

2067

5.1

(Type A1)

ADR/RID

Item 21° (c)

IMDG:

Packaging gr: III

Stowage cat: A

Code page: 5123(94)

Bulk shipments

BC – code,

Appendix B

>0.4% combustible

Inert materials

2067

5.1

(Type A1)

as above

>0.4% combustible

Limestone/dolomite

2068

5.1

(Type A2)

as above

>0.4% combustible

Ammonium sulphate

2069

5.1

(Type A3)

as above

2072

5.1

as above

Do not transport with combustible materials and farm or other chemicals such as acids; carbonaceous materials; chromates; zinc, copper and their alloys; chlorates and reducing agents. Ensure that the transport is clean before loading the product.

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

15.1 EC Directives

76/116/EEC (Relating to fertilisers)
80/876/EEC (Straight Ammonium Nitrate)
87/94/EEC (Resistance to detonation)
96/82/EC (Control of Major Accident Hazards)

15.2 National Regulations

The Fertilisers Regulations 1991 and subsequent amendments
The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999

16 OTHER INFORMATION

This safety data sheet provides health and safety information. The product is to be used in applications consistent with best farming practice. Individuals handling this product should be informed under COSHH of the recommended safety precautions and should have access to this information. The product information in this data sheet is to the best of the AIC’s knowledge correct as at the date of publication.
Neither the AIC nor the Manufacturer, or Supplier accepts liability for any loss or damage (other than that arising from death or personal injury caused by negligence if proved) resulting from reliance on this information. Further information on individual products covered by this safety data sheet may be obtained from the Supplier or the Company whose name, address and telephone number will be found on the fertiliser container
Product Supplied by: Data Sheet Compiled by:
J & H Bunn Ltd, J & H Bunn Ltd [www.jhbunn.co.uk] South Beach Parade Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 3QA UK Phone +44 [0]1493 744700 Fax +44 [0]1493 744701

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