Ammonium hydroxide

Definition

This poisoning is from an exposure to ammonium hydroxide. It is found in many industrial solvents and cleaners.

Poisonous Ingredient

Ammonium hydroxide (can also release ammonia gas into the air)

Where Found

• Ammonium hydroxide can be found in many industrial solvents and cleaners - hundreds to thousands of construction agents, flooring strippers, brick cleaners, cements, and many others.
  
• Ammonia alone (not ammonium hydroxide) can be found in many household cleaners. The symptoms and treatment for ammonia exposure are similar to those for ammonium hydroxide, and often the exposure is both ammonium hydroxide and ammonia released from the chemical as gas.
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Respiratory
  o Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
  o Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Severe pain in the throat
  o Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
  o Loss of vision
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Severe Abdominal pain
  o Vomiting
  o Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
  o Vomiting blood
  o Blood in the stool
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Hypotension (Low Blood pressure) develops rapidly
  o Collapse
  
• Skin
  o Irritation
  o Burn
  o Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
  
• Blood
  o Severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, which leads to damage in all of the body organs)
  

Home Treatment
DO NOT INDUCE Vomiting.

If ammonium hydroxide is on the skin or in the eye, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If ammonium hydroxide was swallowed, give milk or water to dilute it. Fruit juices may also be given. If the person inhaled fumes, remove the patient to fresh air.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition