Is Automotive Urea Harmful to the Human Body?
2 Answers
The human body naturally produces urea, so contact with the skin generally does not cause any harm. However, at high temperatures, automotive urea can easily release ammonia gas, which has corrosive properties. Prolonged skin exposure may lead to pigmentation or ulcers. Therefore, if you come into contact with automotive urea, rinse it off with clean water as soon as possible. Below is more information about automotive urea: 1. Function of Automotive Urea: Automotive urea is used in the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system of diesel vehicles to catalytically reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gases into harmless nitrogen (N₂) and water (H₂O), which are then emitted. 2. Working Process of Automotive Urea in the SCR System: The SCR system is a closed-loop injection system. When exhaust gases exit the engine combustion chamber, an electric pump draws a sufficient amount of urea solution from the urea tank based on commands from the electronic control unit. The urea solution is mixed and atomized with compressed air before being evenly injected into the exhaust stream through the urea nozzle. Under high temperatures, the urea solution rapidly decomposes into NH₃ (ammonia), which then reacts with NOx in a catalytic reduction process, ultimately producing harmless N₂ and H₂O for emission.
When I used to drive diesel vehicles at construction sites, I dealt with AdBlue every day. Essentially, it's a urea solution added to reduce pollution emissions. Is it harmful to humans? Daily handling is generally not a big issue; skin contact might cause slight irritation or redness, but washing your hands should take care of it. However, it must never be ingested—high concentrations of urea can cause nausea or diarrhea, requiring emergency treatment. I once saw a friend accidentally splash some on his pants while refueling, and rinsing it off with water was enough. From an environmental perspective, it significantly helps reduce smog, but for personal safety, wearing gloves and goggles is essential. Always store it locked away, out of reach of children or pets, and in a well-ventilated area. Overall, as long as it's not ingested or exposed to for prolonged periods, it's quite safe.
