Safety data sheet reference · CAS 6484-52-2
Ammonium nitrate SDS
also: ammonium nitrate MSDS · safety data sheet · NH4NO3 · CAS 6484-52-2 · AN
Official PDF from supplier
This page is a reference, not the legal document.
CAS number
6484-52-2
Molecular formula
NH4NO3
No harmonised EU classification
Ammonium nitrate has no entry in CLP Annex VI — there is no harmonised EU-wide classification for it. That is not evidence of safety. Suppliers remain obliged to self-classify it under CLP, and workplace hazards (dust, asphyxiation, thermal) can exist without a harmonised entry. Always obtain the supplier's SDS for the product you actually use.
Published emergency-response data does exist for ammonium nitrate and is reproduced below — first aid, fire fighting and spill response come from US federal sources, not from a harmonised classification.
§ 03 · Composition and identifiers
Ammonium nitrate structure
Ammonium nitrate is an ionic compound — there is no discrete NH4NO3 molecule. The diagram shows the ions the crystal lattice is built from.
Ions of ammonium nitrate · NH4NO3
Identifiers from PubChem (NIH, public domain). Structure diagram drawn with RDKit from the SMILES string.
§ 04 · First-aid measures
Ammonium nitrate first aid measures
Call your national emergency number first. These are published first-aid measures, not medical advice, and they do not replace emergency services, a poison control centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
§4–§6 below reproduce the CAMEO Chemicals entry AMMONIUM NITRATE. CAMEO publishes response data per product entry, so the entry can describe a solution, a refrigerated liquid or a molten form rather than the pure substance in §9 — check it matches what you are handling.
Refer to the ERG "General First Aid" instructions. Specific First Aid: Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry.
Source: ERG, 2024 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain.
§ 05 · Fire-fighting measures
Ammonium nitrate fire fighting measures
ERG 2024 · GUIDE 140 OxidizersERG guidance is written per response guide, not per substance — Guide 140 covers every material assigned to it, so a few sentences reference other UN numbers in the same group.
Fire and explosion hazard
CAUTIONAmmonium nitrate products may explode if involved in fire or contaminated with hydrocarbons (fuels), organic matter, other contaminants or when hot molten and contained. Treat as an explosive (ERG Guide 112). These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Extinguishing media and tactics
SMALL FIREUse water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.
LARGE FIREFlood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKSFor ammonium nitrate products: Do not fight cargo fire. Withdraw, evacuate and isolate area for at least 1600 meters (1 mile). Treat as an explosive (ERG Guide 112). Do not enter area for 24 hours or until expert advice has been provided. Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.
Source: ERG, 2024 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: AMMONIUM NITRATE.
§ 06 · Accidental release measures
Ammonium nitrate spill and leak response
Containment and clean-up
Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.
SMALL DRY SPILLWith clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.
SMALL LIQUID SPILLUse a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.
LARGE SPILLDike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
LARGE SPILLConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIREIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. If ammonium nitrate products are in a tank, rail car or truck and involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions.
Source: ERG, 2024 — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Entry: AMMONIUM NITRATE.
MSDS vs SDS
Ammonium nitrate MSDS vs SDS: is there a difference?
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the format is set by REACH Annex II. So a "ammonium nitrate MSDS" and a "ammonium nitrate SDS" refer to the same document — today it is issued as an SDS. Full breakdown of the differences →
Compliance hub
From classification to SDS
The classification above corresponds to Section 2 of a Safety Data Sheet. Learn how a compliant 16-section SDS is structured and authored →
GHS label maker
Build the label for ammonium nitrate
Pictograms, signal word and H-statements combined into a compliant label layout →
§ 16 · Sources
- Classification: Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP), Annex VI
- Transport: UN ADR 2025 (UNECE), Table A
- Reactivity: NOAA CAMEO Chemicals reactive-group matrix (public domain)
- Physical properties: CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA, public domain) — per-value source references stored in the database
- Emergency response (§4–§6): ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), all US federal public domain, reproduced verbatim
- Substance data: PubChem · ECHA
Reference aid only. This page summarises the harmonised EU classification and computed storage guidance — it is not a Safety Data Sheet and does not replace one. Always verify hazards, handling and storage against the supplier's SDS (sections 7 and 10) and local regulations before use. Page updated 2026-08-11.
Frequently asked questions about ammonium nitrate
Is an MSDS the same as an SDS?
In practice, yes. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is the older name for the same document. In the US, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (2012) adopted the GHS-standardised 16-section Safety Data Sheet; in the EU the SDS format is set by REACH Annex II. A document you find labelled "ammonium nitrate MSDS" is today issued as an SDS.
Where can I download an official ammonium nitrate SDS PDF?
From your own supplier — an SDS is issued per product and supplier, so the correct PDF for an inspection is the one matching the product you actually purchased. The supplier links on this page lead to the official SDS libraries of major distributors.
Call emergency services first
112 in the EU · 911 in the US. This screen is published response information, not medical advice, and it does not replace emergency services, a poison centre or the supplier's safety data sheet.
Text below is the CAMEO Chemicals entry AMMONIUM NITRATE — confirm it matches the form in front of you.
01 · First aid
What to do for the person
Refer to the "General First Aid" section. Specific First Aid: Contaminated clothing may be a fire risk when dry.
02 · Fire
Extinguishing and tactics
Fire and explosion hazard
CAUTIONAmmonium nitrate products may explode if involved in fire or contaminated with hydrocarbons (fuels), organic matter, other contaminants or when hot molten and contained. Treat as an explosive (ERG Guide 112). These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
Extinguishing media and tactics
SMALL FIREUse water. Do not use dry chemicals or foams. CO2 or Halon® may provide limited control.
LARGE FIREFlood fire area with water from a distance. Do not move cargo or vehicle if cargo has been exposed to heat. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.
FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKSFor ammonium nitrate products: Do not fight cargo fire. Withdraw, evacuate and isolate area for at least 1600 meters (1 mile). Treat as an explosive (ERG Guide 112). Do not enter area for 24 hours or until expert advice has been provided. Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn.
03 · Spill
Containment, isolation, evacuation
Containment and clean-up
Keep combustibles (wood, paper, oil, etc.) away from spilled material. Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material unless wearing appropriate protective clothing. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Do not get water inside containers.
SMALL DRY SPILLWith clean shovel, place material into clean, dry container and cover loosely; move containers from spill area.
SMALL LIQUID SPILLUse a non-combustible material like vermiculite or sand to soak up the product and place into a container for later disposal.
LARGE SPILLDike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal.
Initial isolation and evacuation
IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASUREIsolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters (75 feet) for solids.
LARGE SPILLConsider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
FIREIf tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. If ammonium nitrate products are in a tank, rail car or truck and involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions; also, initiate evacuation including emergency responders for 1600 meters (1 mile) in all directions.
Sources: ERG 2024 (PHMSA) · NIOSH Pocket Guide (CDC) · CHRIS (USCG) · NTP · EPA — via CAMEO Chemicals (NOAA), public domain. Text reproduced verbatim.