Where does ammonia come from?

Ammonia comes from decaying organic matter and the excrement of humans and animals. A small amount of ammonia comes from fertilizers, waste disposal sites and industrial processes.

A colorless, pungent and corrosive gas, ammonia occurs in nature and is produced artificially by humans. It can be stored under high pressure as a liquid and is highly soluble in water. It is used in cleaning and in the production of fertilizers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, rubber and petrochemicals. A small amount of ammonia in soil is natural, but too much ammonia can harm vegetation. When ammonia leaches into water, it is toxic to aquatic plants.