MSDS Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MSDS Project - Essay Example This is due to the then war’s intensity that saw even fertilizer plants used as explosive making centers to cater for more weaponry. This by employing Haber-Bosch process to get NH3 by combining N2 and H2 at high pressures, which were essential in making explosives (Libes 699). NH4NO3 is an essential component in the making of fertilizers and industrial explosives (Libes 699). Fertilizer in this case refers to an original or synthetic substance added in the soil to provide plants with the appropriate nutrients, hence enhance growth. Explosives refer to chemical substances that undergo certain process characterized by catastrophic release of energy, which in most cases results to destruction of something within the vicinity. In the case of NH4NO3, the substance is a strong oxidizer whereby in the presence of an ignition source, hot places or fumes will result to fire catastrophically thus cause destruction (Libes 699). It is also an odorless, crystalline and colorless substance soluble in both alcohol and water, which makes it an appropriate agent in making fertilizers (Ledgard 135). On heating at approximately 2100C, its liquid solution decomposes to NO or laughing gas (Ledgard 135). Despite numerous studies citing this compound is extremely explosive; its usage encompasses admixing with fuel oil, for instance, diesel or TNT. This implies one ought to be extra careful when both handling and preparing it. The latter is due hazardous due to inhaling of fumes, which are poisonous and might lead to serious complications. Based on current chemical studies, NH4NO3 compared to other substances does not have high levels of toxicity except when swallowed in large amounts by both humans and animals. This is especially through contaminated water or effluents that find their way into water sources unnoticed. Hence, implying it has a moderate toxicity though once swallowed the victim