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12125-02-9: Ammonium chloride

Chemical details of Ammonium chloride

Chemical Identity

Molecular Structure

Image of the molecular structure of material, Ammonium chloride.
Image credit: EPA

HAZARD EVIDENCE

Hazard Tiers

Tier levels(1) Hazard classes(2)

  1. Open-FF's Compiled Hazard Summary:

    Tier 1: Authoritative GHS record of substantial hazard

    Tier 2: Expanded perspective

    Tier 3: Demonstrated Low Hazard

    Tier 4: Data Deficient

  2. Hazard classes:

    CMR: Carcinogen, Mutagen or Reproductive hazard

    IHL: Inhalation hazards

    ORL: Oral hazards

    SKN: Dermal and eye hazards

    OGN: Organ and systemic hazards

    EDC: Endocrine disruption hazards (note that GHS does not yet have comprehensive classification of EDCs. Therefore, the strongest hazard level in this system is effectively level 2)

    ENV: Environmental hazards

Our Tier Summary: This chemical presents several known or potential hazards. It is classified as Tier 1 for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and reproductive hazards (CMR), environmental hazards (ENV), dermal and eye hazards (SKN), and organ and systemic hazards (OGN), indicating internationally recognized significant dangers. Additionally, it shows Tier 2 hazards for endocrine disruption (EDC), inhalation (IHL), and oral exposure (ORL), based on more current scientific data.

image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.10.8, https://matplotlib.org/

Evidence for Tier levels

(Select category below for more detail)

The overall tier level for Ammonium chloride is based on its most severe hazard class(es): - Tier 1

Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reproductive Toxicity - Tier 1

  • H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (ChemInformatics; PubChem)

Endocrine Disruption - Tier 2

  • Endocrine_Disruption: High Hazard (ChemInfoHazard)

Environmental Hazard - Tier 1

  • H401: Toxic to aquatic life (ChemInformatics; PubChem)
  • H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (ChemInformatics; PubChem)

Inhalation Hazard - Tier 2

  • H335: May cause respiratory irritation (ChemInformatics; PubChem)

Oral Hazard - Tier 2

  • H302: Harmful if swallowed (ChemInformatics; ECHA Harmonized; ECHA INDUS; PubChem)

Dermal/Eye Hazard - Tier 1

  • H319: Causes serious eye irritation (ChemInformatics; ECHA Harmonized; PubChem)
  • H320: Causes eye irritation (ChemInformatics; Japan; PubChem)

Organ Hazard - Tier 1

  • H371: May cause damage to organs (ChemInformatics; PubChem)
  • H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure (ChemInformatics; PubChem)

Lists of Concern and/or Low Hazard

Ammonium chloride appears on both lists of concern, such as the TEDX list for potential endocrine disruptors and the EPA's Clean Water Act hazardous substances list, and lists of low hazard, including substances added to food and FDA's GRAS list. Its inclusion on "low hazard" lists likely refers to very low quantities or specific uses, and the chemical may still pose risks outside these conditions.

List of Concerns: Details

TEDX list The Endocrine Disruption Exchange: This list of Potential Endocrine Disruptors identifies chemicals that have shown evidence of endocrine disruption in scientific research.- Link to resource

Clean Water Act From EPA: "The Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 311(b)(2)(A) requires EPA to compile a list of hazardous substances which, when discharged to navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, present an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare. This includes danger to fish, shellfish, wildlife, and beaches. CWA 311-HS: includes 40 CFR parts 116 and 117 Part 116-Designation of Hazardous Substances Part 117-Determination of Reportable Quantities of Hazardous Substances"- Link to resource

Evidence of Low Hazard: Details

Substances added to Food From EPA: The Substances Added to Food inventory replaces what was previously known as Everything Added to Foods in the United States (EAFUS). The Substances Added to Food inventory includes the following types of ingredients regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): -Food additives and color additives that are listed in FDA regulations (21 CFR Parts 172, 173 and Parts 73)"- Link to resource

FDA's GRAS list From FDA: "This database allows access to opinions and conclusions from 115 SCOGS reports published between 1972-1980 on the safety of over 370 Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) food substances."- Link to resource

How complete is the understanding of this chemical?

This chemical is generally well-characterized. With 86,000 scientific literature references and a defined molecular structure, there is extensive information available. While it has not undergone the most rigorous EPA evaluations like IRIS or PPRTV, the presence of 28 toxicity value records and the absence of any "Data Deficient" (Tier 4) hazard classifications suggest meaningful toxicological study.

These badges connect you directly to original chemical profile sheets. Active resources are highlighted in green, while unassessed resources are greyed out and crossed out.

ATSDR EPA CompTox ECHA Chem NJ RTK EPA IRIS EPA PPRTV EHP Concern NIOSH Guide CAMEO OECD Reference

SOURCES

Chemical-specific data for tier generation

Authoritative indicators of hazards (GHS)

Expand for details
  • (ORL) H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • (SKN) H316: Causes mild skin irritation
  • (SKN) H319: Causes serious eye irritation
  • (SKN) H320: Causes eye irritation
  • (IHL) H335: May cause respiratory irritation
  • (CMR) H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
  • (OGN) H371: May cause damage to organs
  • (OGN) H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • (ENV) H401: Toxic to aquatic life
  • (ENV) H402: Harmful to aquatic life
  • (ENV) H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
  • (ORL) H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • (SKN) H316: Causes mild skin irritation
  • (SKN) H319: Causes serious eye irritation
  • (SKN) H320: Causes eye irritation
  • (IHL) H335: May cause respiratory irritation
  • (CMR) H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
  • (OGN) H371: May cause damage to organs
  • (OGN) H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • (ENV) H401: Toxic to aquatic life
  • (ENV) H402: Harmful to aquatic life
  • (ENV) H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
  • (ORL) H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • (SKN) H319: Causes serious eye irritation
  • (ORL) H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • (SKN) H319: Causes serious eye irritation
  • (ORL) H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • (SKN) H316: Causes mild skin irritation
  • (SKN) H320: Causes eye irritation
  • (CMR) H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
  • (ENV) H401: Toxic to aquatic life
  • (ENV) H402: Harmful to aquatic life
  • (ENV) H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

Other indications of hazards

Expand for details
  • (ORL) H302: Harmful if swallowed
  • (SKN) H312: Harmful in contact with skin
  • (SKN) H319: Causes serious eye irritation
  • (IHL) H332: Harmful if inhaled
  • (OGN) H373: May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
  • (EDC) Endocrine_Disruption: high
  • Systemic_Toxicity:_Repeat_Exposure: high
  • (SKN) Eye_Irritation: high
  • (CMR) Genotoxicity_Mutagenicity: very high
  • (ENV) Acute_Aquatic_Toxicity: very high
  • (ENV) Chronic_Aquatic_Toxicity: very high
  • (ORL) Oral: moderate
  • Neurotoxicity:_Single_Exposure: moderate
  • (SKN) Skin_Irritation: moderate

Affirmative data showing low concern

Expand for details
  • Dermal (SKN) : low
  • Reproductive (CMR) : low
  • Skin_Sensitization: low
  • Bioaccumulation: low
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