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Show Ammonia Fertilizer? Protect Your Eyes In soil, anhydrous ammonia can mean abundant crops, but - in an eye - this potent fertilizer fer-tilizer can cause painful injury in-jury and even total blindness. TO AVOID vision-threatening injuries, the Utah Society to Prevent Blindness (USPB) urges the use of protective eyewear when handling and applying anhydrous. "Appropriate chemical type safety goggles, with hooded vents and a rim fitting closely around the eye area, are a must for everyone at all times when working with or near anhydrous ammonia," advised Richard G. Taylor, president of the Society. THE SOCIETY cited accident ac-cident data to emphasize that eye protection must be both available and used to effectively effec-tively prevent injury. "Reports show that only 60 percent of victims of anhydrous ammonia accidents ac-cidents had safety eyewear available to them," Mr. Taylor said. "And, even' where such protection was available, it was largely unused." ANHYDROUS ammonia i's one of the most dangerous substances affecting the eye. Within seconds of contact, it begins destroying cells and tissues. "Should this damaging chemical get into the eye, the emergency first aid treatment treat-ment involves immediately flushing them with fresh water for at least 15 minutes," the president said. :"Salves and ointments should " never be put in the eyes; they .tend to complicate first aid ::and later medical treatment. "AS EMERGENCY first id, if a body of water is nearby, the person affected -should immerse himself completely in it - holding his :eyelids open so that the am-. am-. monia can be diluted and -washed away. After thoroughly flushing the eyes ; with water, medical attention from a physician is the next step to be taken. The longer the treatment is delayed, the greater the chances are for sight loss," ; Mr. Taylor cautioned. NO ONE, no matter how careful, is immune to injury when working with anhydrous ammonia. The following measures are necessary: -Carry a plastic squeeze bottle of water in a shirt pocket to flush the eyes immediately, im-mediately, should contact with anhydrous occur. -HAVE a 5-gallon tank of fresh water attached to the applicator and nurse tank. -Each day, carefully check all hose fittings and connections connec-tions on equipment. -THOROUGHLY understand under-stand how to operate any! equipment prior to use. Many eye injuries occur during the transfer of pres- surized anhydrous ammonia from the bulk supply to smaller tanks, a process , which may be repeated . several times between production plant and farm user. All it takes is a minor equipment defect a weak i point in a hose, a faulty valve, si worn fitting - and eyesight may be threatened. Careless-' Careless-' ness or human error multiply the dangers to vision. REMEMBER, Mr. Taylor emphasized, to safeguard sight against anhydrous ammonia, am-monia, these four basic precautions are all essential : -Buy and wear goggles. -HAVE water and plenty of it-available. -Maintain equipment well. -APPLY THE fertilizer carefully. For further information, contact the Utah Society to Prevent Blindness, 2033 South State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115. |