Ammonium nitrate

**Ammonium Nitrate Production and Properties:**
– Occurrence in the Atacama Desert as gwihabaite.
– Industrial production methods involving acid-base reactions.
– Decomposition reactions and crystalline phases observed.
– Use of stabilizers like metal halides to prevent density fluctuations.
– Inability to be used as a solid rocket motor propellant due to cracking issues.

**Applications of Ammonium Nitrate:**
– Importance as a fertilizer with a 34-0-0 NPK rating.
– Use in ANFO industrial explosives in mining and construction.
– Stability compared to urea in various applications.
– Niche uses in instant cold packs, off-grid cooling systems, and airbag inflators.
– Combination with explosive fuels for specific applications.

**Safety, Handling, and Storage of Ammonium Nitrate:**
– Safety guidelines for storage and handling practices.
– Health and safety data provided on safety data sheets.
– Oxidizing properties and acceleration of organic material combustion.
– Importance of proper storage away from combustible substances.
– Health hazards and LD50 of ammonium nitrate compared to table salt.

**Ammonium Nitrate in Terrorism and Disasters:**
– Use in terrorist attacks leading to bans on certain fertilizers.
– Examples of terrorist incidents like the Oklahoma City bombing.
– Decomposition risks leading to explosions in large stockpiles.
– Notable historical explosions like Oppau, Texas City, Tianjin, and Beirut.
– Regulatory measures like Australia’s Dangerous Goods Regulations to prevent misuse.

**Resources and References on Ammonium Nitrate:**
– Books and references on inorganic chemicals and chemical risk analysis.
– Data on ammonium nitrate production by country.
– Regulatory measures like licensing and security requirements.
– Consideration for education and research uses under licensed entities.
– Additional resources like the Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals and Chemistry of the Elements.