“It’s just Ammonia” – yep it sure is! (1992 Senegal/SONACOS catastrophe)

In my travels around the world, I find that many still view Anhydrous Ammonia as a “chemical that changed the world.”  From the fertilizer industry I hear how Anhydrous Ammonia has saved billions from starvation as it works its magic as a fertilizer; from the refrigeration industry, I head how it is the lowest global warming refrigerant available and is good for the environment.  All points I wholeheartedly agree with; however, having a lack of respect for this hazardous material can have catastrophic consequences.  Case in point, the 1992 Anhydrous Ammonia industrial catastrophe that claimed 129 lives and injured another 1,150 workers and citizens.  Here is what we know, and to be fair, as with most significant accidents in developing countries we often do not get the full FACTUAL picture…