Toxic substances list: ammonia dissolved in water

Ammonia exists in two forms simultaneously, with the equilibrium between the two forms governed in large part by pH and temperature. The forms are NH₃ (un-ionized ammonia) and NH₄⁺ (ionized ammonia or ammonium). Together they are called total ammonia. It is the NH₃ form that is particularly harmful to aquatic organisms. The primary human use of ammonia is as a nitrogen source in fertilizers, especially anhydrous ammonia and urea. Ammonia is released into the environment by many industries and other human activities. The major quantifiable sources of ammonia released to aquatic ecosystems across Canada are wastewater treatment plants. Ammonia is also a naturally occurring compound required by most organisms for protein synthesis and a waste product of animal, fish and microbial metabolism.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 7664-41-7

Risk Assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Risk Management Strategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Proposed Risk Management Strategy addressing Ammonia, Inorganic Chloramines and Chlorinated Wastewater Effluents under CEPA 1999

Risk Management Tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Guideline for the release of ammonia dissolved in water found in wastewater effluents
• Environmental Emergency Regulations

Consultation

Consultation (past and present) on the substance:

• Proposed Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans for Ammonia Dissolved in Water, Inorganic Chloramines and Chlorinated Wastewater Effluents, 2003-06-07 (archive consultation document)

Other Information

• Response to Stakeholders' Comments on the Proposed Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans for Ammonia Dissolved in Water, Inorganic Chloramines and Chlorinated Wastewater Effluents, under CEPA 1999
• Environment Canada Wastewater - Information Centre
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre

Contact

Substances Management Information Line
Chemicals Management Plan
Gatineau, QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-800-567-1999 (in Canada) or 819-938-3232
Fax: 819-938-3231
E-mail: substances@ec.gc.ca

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