Chemical Exposure - Ammonium Phosphate
August 29, 2010 - One person required hospitalization after a chemical exposure incident at Pier 96 in San Francisco on Friday. According to San Francisco fire department personnel, a box filled with ammonium phosphate broke while moving across a conveyor belt at a recycling center at about 6:30 a.m. The person who was hospitalized had complaints of eye irritation. A fire department spokesperson said that approximately a dozen other individuals had their eyes flushed at the scene. The building had to be evacuated and workers were not allowed to return until the area was thoroughly cleaned. Ammonium phosphate is a white powder that is commonly used as an ingredient in fertilizers. It is a high source of elemental nitrogen. Ammonium phosphate is also used as a flame retardant in thermoplastic compositions. It is a dangerous chemical that can cause serious personal injuries due to exposure. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a division of the United States Department of Commerce, you should use personal protective equipment including a dust mask, protective gloves and goggles when handling this material. Call for medical aid if you have been exposed to ammonium phosphate. The dust from this chemical is irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. If inhaled it will cause coughing or difficulty breathing. If the dust gets in your eyes, hold your eyelids open and flush with plenty of water. If breathing has stopped, give artificial respiration to the injured person. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen if possible. Exposure to the solid form of ammonium phosphate is irritating to the skin and eyes. You should remove contaminated clothing and shoes and flush the affected areas with plenty of water. If in the eyes, hold the eyelids open and flush with plenty of water. It is harmful if swallowed. If swallowed and the victim is conscious, have the victim drink water or milk. If swallowed and the victim is unconscious and having convulsions, do nothing except keep the victim warm. Seek medical attention immediately if you are exposed to this dangerous chemical. In the event of an accidental discharge, the NOAA recommends that you stop the discharge if possible, keep people away, avoid contact with the solid and dust, isolate and remove the discharged material, notify local health and pollution control agencies and protect water intakes. You may want to call an Oakland Personal Injury attorney for a free consultation if you have suffered personal injuries as a result of a chemical exposure incident.