The state-of-the-art of the problem of the migration of ammonia from building materials into the air of residential premises is discussed in the article. The international nature of the problem of ammonia pollution of indoor air in residential and office buildings was shown in the literature review. A method for the photometric determination of the content of nitrogen-containing compounds in the form of ammonium nitrogen with Nessler's reagent in concrete was propesd by the authors. This technique allows to control the ammonia content at a safe level. Also the method of potentiometric determination of the content of nitrogen-containing compounds for the analysis of additives for concrete was implemented by the authors. This analysis method allows prevent the use of additives that can potentially serve as a source of ammonia emissions during the exploitation of building materials.