☣️ UN 1041 • CLASS 2
UN 1041 — Ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide mixture, with more than 9% but not more than 87% ethylene oxide
Placard: Flammable Gas. ERG Guide 115. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
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UN 1041 Quick Details
UN 1041
Product name: Ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide mixture, with more than 9% but not more than 87% ethylene oxide
DOT Class: 2
Placard type: Flammable Gas
ERG Guide: 115 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 115: isolate 100m in all directions for small spills; 800m initial isolation for large spills; evacuate 1600m downwind if tank/rail car involved in fire
Common Hazards of UN 1041
- EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.
- Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Will form explosive mixtures with air.
- Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
- Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
- Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Ruptured cylinders may rocket.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | ETO/CO2 mixtureEthylene oxide-carbon dioxide blendEO-CO2 sterilant mixtureCarboxide |
| Appearance | Colorless, compressed gas mixture with a sweet, ether-like odor. Stored as liquefied gas under pressure. The ethylene oxide component is highly flammable while carbon dioxide is an inert diluent. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (compressed gas mixture) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (mixture of gases with different boiling points: EO at 10.4C/50.7F, CO2 sublimes at -78.5C/-109.3F) |
| Vapor Density | 1.5 (heavier than air at typical mixture ratios) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction; ethylene oxide is miscible with water, carbon dioxide dissolves slightly |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1041
Extinguishing Media
Water spray, CO2, dry chemical; use water fog to cool containers and disperse vapors
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant clothing required; ethylene oxide is a carcinogen and reproductive hazard requiring full protective equipment
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 115: isolate 100m in all directions for small spills; 800m initial isolation for large spills; evacuate 1600m downwind if tank/rail car involved in fire
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 115).
First Actions for a UN 1041 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 800 meters (1/2 mile).
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UN 1041 — Ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide mixturHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1041
Product: Ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide mixture, with more than 9% but not more than 87% ethylene oxide
Class 2 / Flammable Gas / ERG 115
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant clothing required; ethylene oxide is a carcinogen and reproductive hazard requiring full protective equipment
ISOLATION: ERG 115: isolate 100m in all directions for small spills; 800m initial isolation for large spills; evacuate 1600m downwind if tank/rail car involved in fire
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 1041 — Ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide mixture, with more than 9% but not more than 87% ethylene oxide
Class: 2 | Placard: Flammable Gas | ERG Guide: 115
Appearance: Colorless, compressed gas mixture with a sweet, ether-like odor. Stored as liquefied gas under pressure. The ethylene oxide component is highly flammable while carbon dioxide is an inert diluent.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction; ethylene oxide is miscible with water, carbon dioxide dissolves slightly
Extinguishing: Water spray, CO2, dry chemical; use water fog to cool containers and disperse vapors
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant clothing required; ethylene oxide is a carcinogen and reproductive hazard requiring full protective equipment
Isolation: ERG 115: isolate 100m in all directions for small spills; 800m initial isolation for large spills; evacuate 1600m downwind if tank/rail car involved in fire
— Key Hazards —
• EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE.
• Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
• Will form explosive mixtures with air.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Many gases are heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1041 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1041 Ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide mixture, with more than 9% but not more than 87% ethylene oxide Cls2 ERG115 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1041SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS. Includes link to full page.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1041
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1041
EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Will form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Cylinders exposed to fire may vent and release flammable gas through pressure relief devices. Containers may explode when heated. Ruptured cylinders may rocket.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Level B minimum; SCBA and chemical-resistant clothing required; ethylene oxide is a carcinogen and reproductive hazard requiring full protective equipment
Water reactivity: No significant reaction; ethylene oxide is miscible with water, carbon dioxide dissolves slightly. Recommended extinguishing: Water spray, CO2, dry chemical; use water fog to cool containers and disperse vapors.
ERG Guide 115 recommendation: ERG 115: isolate 100m in all directions for small spills; 800m initial isolation for large spills; evacuate 1600m downwind if tank/rail car involved in fire
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 115 and your department SOP/SOG for incident-specific protective actions.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles.
This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.