General Description
A white crystalline solid having the odor of ammonia. Soluble in water. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Used to make other ammonium compounds, in food processing, and for other uses.
Reactivity Profile
Heat > 36°C ( produces ammonia and carbon dioxide); strong acids and strong bases (CO2 and NH3) [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 141].
Air & Water Reactions
Soluble in water.
Hazard
Evolves irritating fumes on heating to 35C.
Health Hazard
Inhalation may cause respiratory irritation. Ingestion could be harmful. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation.
Potential Exposure
It is used in leavening for some baked
goods; in baking powders and fire extinguishers; to make
dyes and pigments; in the manufacture of porous plastics;
and as an expectorant.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from
exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions,
including resuscitation mask) if breathing has
stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer
promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical
has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large
quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an
unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN3077 Environmentally hazardous substances,
solid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous
material, Technical Name Required.
Incompatibilities
Contact with strong caustics, such as
potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide will cause the
release of ammonia gas. Decomposes as temperature rises
>35 C.
Waste Disposal
May be buried in a chemical
waste landfill. If neutralized ammonium bicarbonate is
amenable to treatment at a municipal sewage treatment
plant.
Physical properties
White crystalline solid; prismatic crystal; faint odor of ammonia; stable at ambient temperature but decomposes on heating at 60°C; melts at 107.5°C on very rapid heating; density 1.586 g/cm3; vapor pressure 435 torr at 25°C; readily dissolves in water (21.6g/100g at 20°C, and 36.6g/100g at 40°C).
Definition
ChEBI: Ammonium bicarbonate is an organooxygen compound.
Agricultural Uses
Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is another name for ammonium bicarbonate (NH4CO3), It is a low nitrogen containing fertilizer (17% N), used largely in China. It is produced by heating ammonium hydroxide with excess carbon dioxide, followed by evaporation of water.