MDA urging farmers to take extra precautions when using anhydrous ammonia

Minn. (KTTC) – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding farmers to stay safe when using anhydrous ammonia fertilizer. The material can cause severe injuries and even lead to death.

Anhydrous ammonia is a chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, known as NH3. It’s commonly stored in pressurized containers in liquid form and released into the air as gas. Because it contains nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia is used to fertilize soil, helping crops such as corn and beans grow.

Although it can be a helpful tool, Jane Boerboom, Pesticide & Fertilizer Management with MDA, says it can be extremely dangerous because anhydrous doesn’t contain any water, which means it’s always on the hunt for moisture from nearby sources, including moisture on a human body.

Anhydrous can be exposed to a person’s eyes, lungs, and mucous membranes, causing severe chemical burns. If inhaled, it causes a person’s throat to close, leading to suffocation or death.

When using anhydrous ammonia, it’s important to wear proper personal protective equipment.

"That’s wearing goggles and gloves, long sleeve shirts and pants, and that’s just so if there is a release," Boerboom said.

Boerboom said there are reports of exposure each year.

If you or anyone you know is exposed to anhydrous ammonia, MDA suggests you use clean water to douse the affected area, call 911, and report the incident to the Minnesota duty officer

According to the state’s groundwater protection rule-

In southeast Minnesota, nitrogen fertilizer application is banned during the fall season because of the vulnerable groundwater in our area.

An area with vulnerable groundwater is where nitrate can move easily through soil and into groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources.

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