Be Aware Of Ammonia Exposure From Commercial Refrigeration Units

Posted on: 3 March 2016

Many large commercial refrigeration units utilize ammonia to maintain a steady cool temperature. Although efficient, ammonia can be hazardous to anyone who works in the area if a leak should occur. Knowing the risks, what to do if a leak occurs and how to detect a leak can help you protect yourself and those that you work with from injuries sustained from ammonia exposure. Here, you will learn a little about leak detection, the risks and treatments for exposure.

Ammonia Exposure Risks

The impact that ammonia exposure has on your health is typically limited to skin and eye discomfort, but if the exposure is extensive, your lungs could also be affected, and the ammonia could even cause chemical imbalances within your body.

Treatment for Exposure

Limited exposure is typically treated by simply removing yourself from the structure in which the leak has occurred. Exit the building, flush your eyes and wash all of your exposed skin very well to remove the ammonia from your body and begin feeling relief.

Prolonged exposure requires medical treatment. A doctor will perform an examination of your eyes, throat and nose and probably do a chest x-ray to ensure that no permanent damage was sustained. In some cases, a pulmonary function test and blood panel will also be completed to determine just how much ammonia has entered your system and to determine a proper course of treatment to resolve the issue.

Test for Ammonia Leaks

Many, if not all refrigeration units that use ammonia are equipped with built-in leak-detection systems. These systems will sound if any leak is detected in the system to make everyone in the building aware of the potential danger.

Unfortunately, there aren't any systems that are perfect and will always work exactly as they should. Because of this, it is important that you know how to test for the ammonia leak without relying on the detection system. If you smell ammonia, begin to feel your eyes burn or feel a burning sensation in your nose or throat, put on a respirator and alert those that you work with to exit the building.

Wear a respirator and rubber gloves as you work to test for the leak. There are two different tests that can quickly be performed to pinpoint any leaks.

Sulfur Stick Test – This is a stick that has a wick that you light and carry through the building. If the stick begins to produce white smoke, there is ammonia in the air.

Litmus Paper Test – This test requires you to carry a strip of litmus paper throughout the building. When the strip contacts ammonia, it turns red.

If during these tests, you find a leak, exit the building immediately and contact a company like Pro-Tech Equipment Service to come in for repairs.

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