Ammonia gas exposure with high concentration can lead to serious health complications

Ammonia gas which is also produced in the human body and is commonly found in nature, can be dangerous if the concentration of gas increases more than 50 PPM (Parts Per Million) in air or 35 PPM in water.

“The incident of gas leakage near Doraha proved fatal because the concentration of the gas must be very high, said Dr Ravinder Kaur, Associate Professor in Department of Chemistry at Government College for Girls. As the Ammonia gas is lighter than air so it doesn't settle in low lying area, , so there is nothing much to worry now. Moreover with sun it must have evaporated or with morning rain in city, ammonia gas must have diluted in the water, to lessen its effects,” added Dr Ravinder.

Dr Ravinder said, “In the tragic incident people must have died due to high exposure to Ammonia gas, otherwise it also remains in body, but in a very little amount, that don't harm much.” But now after many hours of the incident, people need not to worry as gas must have been dissolved in water or evaporated in the environment, she added. She also suggested to have plenty of water if someone feel of inhaling Ammonia gas to dilute its effect.

Professor and Head of Medicine, Christian Medical College and Hospital Dr Navjot Singh said, “Ammonia is a highly corrosive leakage in high volume of gas is toxic for the body. It can affect various parts of the body in when swallowed or breathed through air or water.”

When inhaled in excess it could harm the lungs as fibrosis are made which make person difficult to breath, said Dr Navjot.

He said that medically its seen that if a person survives for 24 hours after coming into contact with Ammonia gas in high concentration, he becomes out of danger. In 48 to 72 hours the effect of gas defuses totally from human body, added Dr Navjot Singh.

Associate Professor Pulmonary Disease Dr Akashdeep Singh from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital said, “Ammonia affects the respiratory, skin and eyes when a person comes into contact, but the first thing it attacks is respiratory system. Even if there is very less volume of gas it will firstly affect respiration system. Though, its side effects depend on volume and time of exposure.”

A person should wash eyes or skin if it spills over body and should rush to hospital for medical help if irritation is too high, he added.

Affects of Ammonia on body

Affect respiratory tract as got inhaled like burning sensation, headache, chest ache, throat pain, problem in respiration and can enhance Asthama or Bronchitis attack

A little more volume of gas then also affects the skin with burning, itching etc

A little more volume of gas then also affects the eyes with redness, itchiness, and can cause even blindness if the concentration is so high.

Preventive measure

Try to run out of the environment where the gas leakage happened

Contact medical expert immediately, who give treatment as per the symptoms