Ammonia emissions from heavy-duty vehicles - firefighting gear for controlling ammonia releases in commercial trucks
In the heart of Essen-Kettwig, Germany, on July 28, 2025, the Essen Fire Department was called to respond to a smoke emission incident at "Im Teelbruch". The incident, initially reported via news aktuell, unfolded at approximately 15:00.
Upon arrival, the fire department discovered the source of the smoke: a parked truck near the Kettwig swimming pool. The truck was loaded with aluminum slag, a waste product from the metal industry. Due to a hole in the tarpaulin, rainwater reacted with the load, producing ammonia gas.
To manage this potentially hazardous situation, the Essen Fire Department was supported by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, the municipal environmental office, and the Analytical Task Force. Rescue workers wore chemical protective suits to protect themselves from the dangerous gases.
As a precaution, the affected area was immediately evacuated. This included the Kettwig swimming pool and nearby residents, including a traveling circus. Residents of an adjacent apartment building were allowed to stay in their apartments but were asked to keep doors and windows closed.
The damaged tarpaulin of the truck was temporarily sealed with sealing tape by the fire department to prevent further reaction with rainwater. Comprehensive control measurements in the vicinity of the incident site did not find any health-endangering concentrations outside the cordoned-off danger area.
The ammonia gas is irritating to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin, posing a potential health hazard. During sealing operations, rescue workers came into contact with the dangerous substance and were cleaned at the decontamination site.
Once all measures were completed, the vehicle was transported to a specialized disposal company in Lünen under the escort of the fire department, police, and LANUK. The incident ended after approximately four hours with no reported injuries.
For further questions, please contact Nico Blum at the Essen Fire Department:
- Telephone: 0201-12370104
- Fax: 0201 12-3820119
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.feuerwehr-essen.com/
The vehicle was handed over to the specialized company for disposal, Firma Siekermann, in Lünen. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper handling and disposal of industrial waste.
