Repeated exposure to ammonia may cause chronic irritation of the respiratory tract. Chronic cough, asthma and lung fibrosis have been reported. Chronic irritation of the eye membranes and dermatitis have also been reported.
HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS MAY ATTACK LIVING ORGANISM IN TWO WAYS :
A) LOCALLY—ACIDS, CAUSTICS etc.
B) Systematic poisoning ---carried by blood stream to tissues and organs where they exert there
effects.
Anhydrous ammonia causes freezing and chemical burn wherever
skin and clothing are moist. The sub-zero temperature of escaping
anhydrous ammonia freezes clothing to the body.
Eyes are continually bathed in moisture. Anhydrous ammonia will
seek this moisture. The burns will result in damage to the eyes, such as
cataracts, glaucoma and possibly some permanent vision loss and
disfigurement.
The respiratory system represents a unique target for the potential toxicity of toxi- cants due to the fact that the lungs are the primary portal of entry for inhaled gases and particles.
In addition, the lungs receive the entire cardiac output, and therefore, toxicants that enter the bloodstream also have the potential to cause lung injury.
Different type of toxins produced by burning e.g CO traces od lead and different gasses can harm respiratory track .
Poisonous effect of ammonia on kidney.
Caused by substances called nephrotoxins.
It is usually diagnosed by changes in excretory function, such as increases in urinary glucose, amino acid, or protein excretion, changes in urine volume, osmolarity, or pH.