Editing Ammonium nitrate (section)

==Safety, handling, and storage==
Numerous safety guidelines are available for storing and handling ammonium nitrate. Health and safety data are shown on the [[safety data sheet]]s available from suppliers and from various governments.<ref name="epa_safe_storage">[https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo45474 Chemical Advisory: Safe Storage, Handling, and Management of Ammonium Nitrate] [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg230.pdf|title=Storing and handling ammonium nitrate|access-date=22 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704142701/http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg230.pdf|archive-date=4 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927336|title=Ammonium nitrate MSDS|access-date=25 January 2012|archive-date=18 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818021106/http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927336|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

Pure ammonium nitrate does not burn, but as a strong oxidizer, it supports and accelerates the combustion of organic (and some inorganic) material.<ref name="epa_safe_storage"/><ref>{{cite book| author= Pradyot Patnaik| title= Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals| publisher= McGraw-Hill| year= 2002| isbn= 0-07-049439-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ammonium nitrate|url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ammonium-nitrate|access-date=2020-08-06|website=PubChem}}</ref> It should not be stored near combustible substances.

While ammonium nitrate is stable at ambient temperature and pressure under many conditions, it may detonate from a strong initiation charge. It should not be stored near high explosives or blasting agents. 

Molten ammonium nitrate is very sensitive to shock and detonation, particularly if it becomes contaminated with incompatible materials such as combustibles, flammable liquids, acids, chlorates, chlorides, sulfur, metals, charcoal and sawdust.<ref name="orica">{{cite web|date=2012-04-01|title=Report for Kooragang Island Update PHA MOD1 Report|url=http://www.orica.com/ArticleDocuments/493/2012_Orica-KI_revised_PHA.pdf.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812063130/http://www.orica.com/ArticleDocuments/493/2012_Orica-KI_revised_PHA.pdf.aspx |archive-date=2014-08-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-08-06|website=Orica Mining Services}}</ref><ref name="epa_safe_storage"/>

Contact with certain substances such as [[chlorate|chlorates]], [[mineral acid|mineral acids]] and [[metal sulfide|metal sulfides]], can lead to vigorous or even violent decomposition capable of igniting nearby combustible material or detonating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aidic.it/lp2013/webpapers/141cagnina.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414164158/http://www.aidic.it/lp2013/webpapers/141cagnina.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Chemical Engineering Transactions|archive-date=14 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ammonium Nitrate|url=https://webwiser.nlm.nih.gov/substance?substanceId=453&identifier=Ammonium%20Nitrate&identifierType=name&menuItemId=7&catId=64|access-date=2020-08-06|website=webwiser.nlm.nih.gov|language=en}}</ref>

Ammonium nitrate begins decomposition after melting, releasing [[NOx|{{NOx}}]], [[Nitric acid|HNO<sub>3</sub>]], [[Ammonia|NH{{su|b=3}}]] and [[Water|H<sub>2</sub>O]]. It should not be heated in a confined space.<ref name="epa_safe_storage"/> The resulting heat and pressure from decomposition increases the sensitivity to detonation and increases the speed of decomposition. Detonation may occur at 80 [[Standard atmosphere (unit)|atmospheres]]. Contamination can reduce this to 20 atmospheres.<ref name="orica" /> 

Ammonium nitrate has a [[critical relative humidity]] of 59.4% at 30&nbsp;°C. At higher humidity it will absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Therefore, it is important to store ammonium nitrate in a tightly sealed container. Otherwise, it can coalesce into a large, solid mass. Ammonium nitrate can absorb enough moisture to liquefy. Blending ammonium nitrate with certain other fertilizers can lower the critical relative humidity.<ref>{{cite web 
| url= http://www.productstewardship.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_prodstew/documents/Guidance_for_compatibility2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608193905/http://www.productstewardship.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_prodstew/documents/Guidance_for_compatibility2.pdf |archive-date=2015-06-08 |url-status=live
| title=Guidance for Compatibility of Fertilizer Blending Materials
| author= Fertilizers Europe
| date= 2006
}}</ref>

The potential for use of the material as an explosive has prompted regulatory measures. For example, in Australia, the Dangerous Goods Regulations came into effect in August 2005 to enforce licensing in dealing with such substances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/sessionalview/sessional/subordleg/2005-531.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323124216/http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/sessionalview/sessional/subordleg/2005-531.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-23 |url-status=live|title=Dangerous Goods (HCDG) Regulations}}</ref> Licenses are granted only to applicants (industry) with appropriate security measures in place to prevent any misuse.<ref>Ammonium Nitrate-Regulating its use, Balancing Access & Protection from {{cite web| url= http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/worksafe/home/forms+and+publications/publications/import_ammonium+nitrate+-+regulating+its+use%2C+balancing+access+_+protection| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110311054639/http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/worksafe/home/forms+and+publications/publications/import_ammonium+nitrate+-+regulating+its+use%2C+balancing+access+_+protection| url-status= dead| archive-date= 11 March 2011| title= Worksafe Victoria}}</ref> Additional uses such as education and research purposes may also be considered, but individual use will not. Employees of those with licenses to deal with the substance are still required to be supervised by authorized personnel and are required to pass a security and national police check before a license may be granted.