Ammonia vs. Ammonium: What Are the Differences?

When you think of ammonia, you most likely immediately think about fertilizers or that strong smell that comes from your favorite household cleaning products. It is not uncommon for many people to confuse ammonium and ammonia. Most people assume that they are the same thing, so they use the two terms interchangeably.

Although they share a few similarities, there are significant differences between them. If you are tired of trying to figure out the difference between the two, you’re going to want to continue reading below. This guide will go over the differences between ammonia vs. ammonium. 

What Is Ammonia?

Ammonia, also known as NH3, is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. Ammonia is uncharged, and it exists as a gas at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. At very high and low pressures, ammonia exists as a liquid.

Ammonia in its pure form is toxic, and it has a sharp irritating smell. Although it can be poisonous and has a pungent, intense scent, it is in products people use every day.

Ammonia Uses

The most common use of ammonia that you may be familiar with is in household cleaning products. Most of your cleaning products used to clean sinks, tubs, tiles, and more, contain ammonia. 

Ammonia is excellent at breaking down stains and grime from oils, wine stains, and animal fats. Because ammonia has properties that allow it to evaporate quickly, many people use it to clean glass. The quick evaporation helps avoid streaking. 

Ammonia in Fertilizer

Ammonia is the building block for ammonium nitrate fertilizer, an essential nutrient for growing crops and other plants. About 90% of ammonia is in fertilizer to help sustain food production.

Planting and tending to crops can deprive the soil of its nutrients. Many farmers rely on fertilizer to keep the soil productive to maintain healthy crops. 

What Is Ammonium?

Ammonium is a charged molecule made up of three hydrogen atoms and one nitrogen atom. The chemical formula for ammonium is NH4+. Unlike ammonia, ammonium does not have a distinct smell, and it is not harmful to aquatic organisms.

Naturally, you can find ammonium in the form of salts such as ammonium chloride, ammonium carbonate, and ammonium nitrate. Almost all of these salts dissolve in water. Just like ammonia, ammonium is in the production of fertilizers. 

Ammonium Uses

In addition to being used in fertilizer, ammonium is also used for explosives. Pharmaceutical companies also use this chemical as an ingredient in cough medicine. 

Other ammonium uses:

• Glue for plywood

• Rocket propellant

• Flavoring agent

If you are using this chemical as a medication, keep in mind that it may interact with dextroamphetamine and dichlorphenamide. Be sure not to mix ammonium chloride with any alkalis or lead salts. To learn more about ammonium, you can check out this guide. 

Ammonia vs. Ammonium

Although both of these chemicals are used for household products and fertilizer, there are many differences between ammonia vs. ammonium. The molecular makeup of these two varies greatly.

Ammonia contains three hydrogen atoms and one nitrogen atom. Ammonium is made up of four hydrogen atoms and one nitrogen atom. 

Ammonia is mainly used for making fertilizers, cleaning products, pesticides, and more. Ammonium is in creating explosives, fertilizer, food preservatives, and more. 

Am I Naturally Exposed to Ammonia?

Yes, ammonia naturally exists in the environment, so there is a high chance that you may have had an exposure to a small level of it at one point. Those who use ammonia to clean are more exposed to the chemical.

If you live near a farm where they use fertilizers, there is a great chance that you have exposure to it. There is no need to worry if you have exposure to ammonia or ammonium.

There are no health effects found in humans exposed to low levels or typical levels of ammonia. Exposure to higher levels of ammonia may irritate your lungs, eyes, skin, or throat. It can also cause burns or coughing fits. 

Ammonia in the Environment

As mentioned earlier, ammonia occurs naturally in the environment through the soil, water, and air. It is also an essential part of the nitrogen cycle that occurs when plants fertilize. Because of this natural process, ammonia does not last long in the environment, and it does not bioaccumulate. 

Ammonia Safety information

When using any products that contain ammonia, it is best to follow the instruction label on how to handle it. Be sure to keep the area well ventilated and wear proper protective equipment, including gloves and goggles. 

Do not mix ammonia with chlorine bleach as it will produce a toxic gas causing chest pain, nausea, and pneumonia. Ingesting a cleaning product containing ammonia can cause severe abdominal pain and burn your throat. 

Ammonium Safety Information

Exposure to ammonium can affect your eyes, skin, and throat. If your staff must handle this compound, be sure to have the area well ventilated and instruct your team to wear protective equipment. 

Store this chemical in an airtight container and place them in a dry, cool location when not used. After handling ammonium, it is imperative to wash your clothes and your hands before touching anything else. 

Learn More About Ammonia

Knowing the difference between ammonia vs. ammonium is very important. One compound is more toxic than the other, but they both need to have proper handling.

Regardless of whether you use these compounds to clean or in a lab setting, it is very imperative that you learn how to use and dispose of them properly. If you found this article helpful and you want to learn more about other chemicals, or you want access to other educational material, check out our education section on our website today!