Ingredient Dictionary

AMMONIUM CARBONATE

Ammonium carbonate is an ammonium salt that is the diammonium salt of carbonic acid.

Definition

Ammonium carbonate is an ammonium salt that is the diammonium salt of carbonic acid. It has a role as a food acidity regulator and a raising agent. It is a carbonate salt and an ammonium salt.

Source: PubChem

Cosmetic roles

Keeps pH steadyBUFFERING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Safety Assessment of Carbonate Salts as Used in Cosmetics

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name 炭酸アンモニウム: 本品は、炭酸水素アンモニウム（＊）とカルバミン酸アンモニウムの混合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

AMMONIUM CARBONATEINCI암모늄카보네이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)Carbonic acid, ammonium saltSynonym炭酸アンモニウムJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 10361-29-2
CAS No.chemical registry number: 506-87-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 208-058-0
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 233-786-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID3051468

Measured properties

Appearance: Ammonium carbonate appears as a colorless crystalline solid or a white powder with a strong odor of ammonia. Noncombustible. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Used to make other ammonium compounds, in pharmaceuticals, in food processing. · Dry Powder, Liquid
Odour: Strong odor of ammonia
Melting point: 58 °C (decomposes) · 58 °C
Solubility: Soluble in water · 100g/100 g water at 15 °C
Density: 1.5 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.586 @25 °C
Stability: Decomposes on exposure to air with lose of ammonia and carbon dioxide, becoming white and powdery and converting into ammonium bicarbonate.
pH: About 8,6 (5 % solution)
Decomposition temperature: 58 ℃
Molecular weight: 78.07

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 1 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

2 skin studies and 2 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 4 studies

Category 6.3A (Category 2)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay) according to EU Method B.42 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · other guideline: MAFF Testing Guideline of 12 Nousan No.8147 according to OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EU Method B.5 (Acute Toxicity: Eye Irritation / Corrosion) according to EPA OPPTS 870.2400 (Acute Eye Irritation) according to
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across