AMMONIA & RESPIRATORY HEALTH

Ammonia is a small molecule composed of nitrogen and hydrogen with a characteristic pungent and unpleasant odor. Ammonia comes from urea–a nitrogen-containing molecule–that is present in urine and feces. Horses excrete urea to eliminate excess nitrogen from their bodies. While urea itself is odorless and nontoxic, it is rapidly converted to ammonia once excreted. Ammonia, unlike urea, is extremely irritating to the mucous membranes that line the mouth, eyes, and respiratory tract. Download this free Fact Sheet now.