However, industry officials say it is not volatile enough to self-ignite. There has to be a fire or a blasting cap to act as a catalyst.
Ammonium nitrate is among the fertilizers manufactured locally.
One of Finley's two fertilizer plants, Agrium, makes ammonium nitrate and other nitrogen-based fertilizers. The other, Tessenderlo Kerley, makes sulfur-based fertilizers out of sulfur from refineries.
A Herald investigation earlier this year found the two fertilizer plants in Finley have had no serious violations, fires or fatalities in the past decade.
They are inspected annually by state officials and conduct internal inspections as well.
About 50 bulk fertilizer licenses have been issued in Benton and Franklin counties to fertilizer manufacturers, bulk fertilizer retailers and farms.
