Anhydrous ammonia and sulfur dioxide gases all form highly corrosive acids or bases when they come in contact with skin and mucous membranes and produce severe chemical burns.

Anhydrous Ammonia:

• Anhydrous ammonia is a colorless, pungent gas frequently used in agriculture as well as in the manufacture of synthetic fibers. Contact with water produces ammonium hydroxide.
• Upper airway symptoms include sore throat, nasal irritation with sneezing, and rhinorrhea.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea and vomiting.
• Cutaneous symptoms, depending on the concentration of the gas, include superficial to full-thickness burns with tissue loss, thrombosis, and necrosis.
• Respiratory symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, tachycardia, pulmonary edema, airway obstruction from sloughed tissue, and respiratory arrest.
• Ocular symptoms include lacrimation, conjunctivitis, palpebral edema, blepharospasm, photophobia, ulceration, perforation, and loss of vision.

Sulfur Dioxide:

• Sulfur dioxide is a compressed gas that has industrial and commercial applications. Contact with moisture produces sulfurous acid.
• Upper airway symptoms include sore throat, nasal irritation with sneezing, and rhinorrhea.
• Gastrointestinal: nausea with vomiting.
• Cutaneous: chemical burns, especially in moist areas such as the axillae and groin.
• Respiratory: chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, dyspnea, tachycardia, pulmonary edema, cyanosis, and airway obstruction from sloughed tissue.
• Ocular: lacrimation, conjunctivitis, local edema, corneal damage, ulceration, perforation, and loss of sight.