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Show Important Ammonia Safety Tips Farmers who work with liquid fertilizers, particularly anhydrous ammonia or aqua ammonia, could be in for serious eye injury and possible blindness, unless they wear proper eye protection. That warning comes from Dave Williams, extension safety specialist at Iowa State University. Betause of the high water solubility of ammonia, eye tissue with its high fluid content is especially vulnerable to injury, and many persons are blinded or suffer severe eye injuries from ammonia. The specialist cites the following safety tips from the Iowa Society to Prevent Blindness: Wear safety goggles with hooded vents and a rim that fits close to the face and around the eyes at all times when working with or around ammonia substances. Also wear approved rubber gloves. Keep a 5-gallon tank filled with fresh, clean water attached to the nurse tank and the applicator so a supply of water is readily available. Always check all hose Tit-tings and connections daily to be sure they are tight and there are no leaks. Most accidents with ammonia occur when the material is transferred from one tank to another. Carry a small plastic squeeze bottle of water in your pocket -when working with ammonia. This can be used to immediately flush your eyes so you can find your larger water supply. I tie tirst 1 0 seconds are crucial. Stand upwind during transfer operations. If an accident occurs, flush the eyes immediately and con tinually with water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses first, if victim wears them. Do not apply salves or ointments because they tend to seal in the liquid and may add to the damage. if bums are extensive and a water tank or pond is available, immerse the victim immediately. When the victim is taken to a physician after exposed areas have been flushed with water, advise the doctor that ammonia caused the injury. |