Common name: Small-granular urea
Chemical name: Urea
Synonyms: Carbamide, carbonyl diamide
CAS number: 57-13-6
Appearance: White, free-flowing small granules
Main use: Nitrogen fertilizer for agriculture and industry
Odor: Odorless
Boiling point: Not applicable
Melting point: Around 132 °C
Solubility in water: Highly soluble
Molecular formula: CH4N2O
Physical hazards: Non-flammable, non-explosive, may emit toxic fumes if heated strongly
Health hazards: Dust may irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
Environmental hazards: Excessive release to waterways can promote eutrophication
Specific hazards: Under risk of decomposition at high temperatures, releasing ammonia and other nitrogen compounds
Main ingredient: Urea (minimum purity 99%)
Impurities: Biuret content usually below 1%, traces of water and formaldehyde in some industrial batches
Chemical composition: Single component, no hazardous additives under normal use
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air, keep comfortable, seek medical attention for ongoing symptoms
Skin contact: Wash thoroughly with soap and water, remove contaminated clothing
Eye contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water for several minutes, remove contact lenses, seek medical attention if irritation persists
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, drink water, avoid inducing vomiting, consult medical professionals if large quantities are swallowed or if symptoms appear
Extinguishing media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical powder, or CO₂ as appropriate for surrounding materials
Thermal decomposition: At elevated temperatures, can produce ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and cyanuric acid vapors
Protective equipment: Use self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing to guard against nitrogen gas exposure during a fire
Precautions: Prevent run-off from entering drains or waterways if firewater becomes contaminated
Personal precautions: Avoid inhaling dust, wear dust mask, goggles and gloves during clean-up
Environmental precautions: Prevent material from reaching drains or natural water systems
Spill containment: Shovel up spilled granules, sweep or vacuum while minimizing dust, collect into labeled containers for reuse or disposal
Cleanup methods: Wash contaminated area thoroughly with water if in contact with soil to minimize nitrogen loss and runoff risk
Safe handling: Avoid generating dust, wear appropriate personal protection, wash hands after handling
Storage: Keep in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, moisture, strong acids, and oxidizing agents
Packaging: Store in tightly closed bags, bulk silos, or containers resistant to moisture absorption
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with hypochlorites, nitrates, and strong oxidizers to reduce risk of violent chemical reaction
Engineering controls: Use local exhaust ventilation in enclosed areas to keep dust levels low
Personal protective equipment: Dust mask or respirator for airborne particles, chemical safety goggles, gloves
Hygiene measures: Always wash hands and exposed skin after working with the chemical, do not smoke or eat in handling areas
Exposure limits: No established occupational exposure limit for urea dust, but best practice keeps airborne concentrations below irritation threshold
Physical state: Solid, small granular form
Color: White
Odor: None
Relative density: Approximately 1.33 g/cm³
Melting point: 132 °C
Water solubility: 1079 g/L at 20 °C
Vapor pressure: Negligible at room temperature
Explosive properties: None
pH: Slightly basic in aqueous solution, around 7.2–7.5
Chemical stability: Stable under normal ambient conditions
Conditions to avoid: Humidity and moisture exposure, sources of strong heat, incompatible chemicals
Hazardous decomposition: Thermal decomposition above 133°C may produce ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and traces of hydrogen cyanide
Incompatible materials: Strong acids, nitrates, hypochlorites, oxidizers increase chance of dangerous reactions
Acute toxicity: Low toxicity; ingestion of large amounts may cause gastrointestinal irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting
Chronic effects: Prolonged contact with dust may cause skin or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals
Routes of exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Carcinogenicity: No evidence found linking urea exposure to cancer
Sensitization: No known sensitizing effects to skin or airways reported for pure urea
Aquatic toxicity: Not considered directly toxic to aquatic life at low concentrations; overuse in fields may lead to algal blooms due to nitrogen loading
Persistence and degradability: Readily degrades into ammonia and carbon dioxide in the environment
Mobility: High solubility in water means it migrates easily into soil and waterways if not managed correctly
Bioaccumulation: Does not bioaccumulate in organisms
Environmental fate: Urea transforms quickly in soil, contributing to soil nitrogen cycle but can impact waterways if wash-off occurs
Waste treatment: Reuse as fertilizer whenever possible within agronomic rates
Landfill: Dispose of in accordance with local and national environmental regulations; avoid release of large amounts into waterways
Container disposal: Empty containers should be thoroughly rinsed and recycled or disposed of per local guidelines, minimizing impact on waste streams
Special considerations: Avoid incineration of contaminated material unless permitted at controlled facility due to possible release of toxic nitrogen gases
UN Classification: Not classified as hazardous for transport under ADR, IMDG, or IATA codes
Packing: Protect from moisture and rough handling during shipping to maintain granule integrity
Labeling: Shipping labels must comply with applicable local and international regulations, typically need no hazard symbol for bulk non-contaminated product
Spillage during transportation: Clean thoroughly, prevent product from reaching sewers or waterways
International regulations: Meets specifications for agricultural use under major regulatory agencies in most jurisdictions
Hazard communication: Not classified as hazardous substance or dangerous good by most national and international standards
Inventory listing: US TSCA, EU REACH, Canadian DSL, Australian AICS—listed without restrictions for most uses in agriculture and industry
Reporting requirements: Significant accidental releases must be reported to local authorities if waterways are threatened or potential for major environmental impact exists
