What in Ammonia Can Trigger Asthma?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ammonia is a known lung irritant. Exposure to the corrosive properties of ammonia, even at low levels, can irritate the lining of the lungs, causing temporary asthma-like symptoms of coughing and wheezing. Repeated exposure or exposure to high levels of ammonia can create a permanent sensitivity to ammonia, meaning that future low-level exposure could trigger an asthma attack or even make you more susceptible to other asthma triggers.

Ammonia

• Ammonia is a colorless gas that can be dissolved in water. It occurs naturally and is also commonly used in industries such as farming. Ammonia has a very distinct smell that most people are familiar with because of its prevalent use in household cleaners.

Respiratory Irritation

• Ammonia gas reacts with moisture to produce ammonium hydroxide, which is an alkaline solution. When you breathe in ammonia fumes, the fumes react with moisture from the mucus membranes. This reaction creates ammonium hydroxide, which irritates and causes swelling in the lungs and respiratory tract. Lung irritants and swelling can trigger asthma.

Natural Occurrence

• Ammonia is a natural byproduct of organic decomposition, and it occurs naturally in air, water and soil.

Household Occurrence

• Many household cleaning products, including glass and floor cleaners, contain ammonia.

Occupational Occurrence

• Fertilizer commonly includes ammonia ingredients, creating high concentrations on farms and in gardening industries. Enclosed buildings that house animals can also have high concentration of naturally occurring ammonia. Industries that use industrial cleaning solutions may have high concentrations as well.