The huge explosion at Beirut port on August 4 that has killed approx. 100 people and injured more than 7000 people. This incident caused by over 2700 tones of Ammonium Nitrate kept in Storage from 6 years.
Ammonium Nitrate is a chemical used in agricultural fertilizers. It is a nitrogen-rich compound and the main component of the explosion composition also known as ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil).
It is white in colour in its purest form. It is also used in mining and construction. Pure ammonium nitrate is not an explosive chemical. When it is mixed with fuel or some other contaminants then it becomes very explosive.
As it is used in the production of Industrial explosives, anaesthetic gases, cold packs and has a strong possibility of misuse, it is highly regulated in India. Storage of Ammonium Nitrate in large quantities in a populated area of India is illegal since 2012.
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