Nh34life
17-12-2011, 11:19 PM
I would imagine that over the years most Ammonia technicians develop super high inhalation tollerences for this wonderful stuff, whilst non accustomed on lookers are both horrified and amazed at the R717 fridgee's ability to breath this "toxic" gas.
But what makes something toxic? Is it the dose and or time taken to have a negative reaction ? Water is also toxic eventually.
There is plenty of ammonia data regarding concentration markers for the average worker..In most countries 25ppm is the TWA (8 hour limit) and 35ppm STEL (15min). Has any one ever tried to get the labour department to agree on a figure for Ammonia technicians? They seem to think that once that reading hits 35ppm we pack up for the day?
Our kidneys have an amazing ability to process excess Ammonia in our blood some 12 times normal production, but why stress our bodies for the commercial gains of others?
Most mask filters will cope well between 2000ppm- 5000ppm, what is your maximum concentration level that you will move to a S.C.B.A and gas suit, what level suit is it that you use? From what i understand Ammonia does not become a dermal risk until its reaches levels of 10,000 which will produce mild irritation. The level most emergency responders use is half the IDLH (150ppm!!!) Most of us would snort that up our nose if we ran out of coffee in the morning! I have personally been dragged from a room by the Fire service at 300ppm and forced to wash near naked in a decom shower in the street. the same officer almost dove through a plantroom window when I lit a Sulphur taper thinking the plant would explode violently! It would be just nice to get given some realistic numbers to work with that every one agrees on based on factual evidence not a safety advisors opinion on the dangers of TOXIC NH3? Notice how all News articles of Ammonia releases have a little paragraph at the end stating the toxicity to humans? Never do they mention that very little people have ever died from ammonia who was not in the source zone, or that you have a better chance of winning lotto, Or how about Ammonia is one of the most important chemicals to our existence if you smell it walk away and shut up.
Interested in your opinions and any emergency stories?
:p
But what makes something toxic? Is it the dose and or time taken to have a negative reaction ? Water is also toxic eventually.
There is plenty of ammonia data regarding concentration markers for the average worker..In most countries 25ppm is the TWA (8 hour limit) and 35ppm STEL (15min). Has any one ever tried to get the labour department to agree on a figure for Ammonia technicians? They seem to think that once that reading hits 35ppm we pack up for the day?
Our kidneys have an amazing ability to process excess Ammonia in our blood some 12 times normal production, but why stress our bodies for the commercial gains of others?
Most mask filters will cope well between 2000ppm- 5000ppm, what is your maximum concentration level that you will move to a S.C.B.A and gas suit, what level suit is it that you use? From what i understand Ammonia does not become a dermal risk until its reaches levels of 10,000 which will produce mild irritation. The level most emergency responders use is half the IDLH (150ppm!!!) Most of us would snort that up our nose if we ran out of coffee in the morning! I have personally been dragged from a room by the Fire service at 300ppm and forced to wash near naked in a decom shower in the street. the same officer almost dove through a plantroom window when I lit a Sulphur taper thinking the plant would explode violently! It would be just nice to get given some realistic numbers to work with that every one agrees on based on factual evidence not a safety advisors opinion on the dangers of TOXIC NH3? Notice how all News articles of Ammonia releases have a little paragraph at the end stating the toxicity to humans? Never do they mention that very little people have ever died from ammonia who was not in the source zone, or that you have a better chance of winning lotto, Or how about Ammonia is one of the most important chemicals to our existence if you smell it walk away and shut up.
Interested in your opinions and any emergency stories?
:p