Ammonia Gas Leakage:
An ammonia gas leak at an ice factory in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, triggered panic among residents. Such chemical incidents highlight the recurring challenges of industrial safety and disaster preparedness in India. Ammonia (NH₃) is a colorless gas with a sharp smell, widely used in industry and naturally found in the environment and human body. It is produced by the Haber-Bosch process (N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃) under high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst: Its concentrated form is corrosive and can cause burns or explode under high heat. It is stored as a compressed liquid. It is highly water-soluble and forms ammonium hydroxide in contact with water. It has 9 times the energy density of Li-ion batteries and 3 times that of compressed hydrogen, making it a promising carbon-free energy carrier.
