☣️ UN 1490 • CLASS 5
UN 1490 — Potassium permanganate
Placard: Oxidizer. ERG Guide 140. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ 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 1490 Quick Details
UN 1490
Product name: Potassium permanganate
DOT Class: 5
Placard type: Oxidizer
ERG Guide: 140 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 140: isolate spill 25-50m; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions
Common Hazards of UN 1490
- These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire.
- Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
- May explode from heat or contamination.
- Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels).
- May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard.
- Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Permanganate of potashChameleon mineralCondy's crystalsPotassium salt of permanganic acid |
| CAS Number | 7722-64-7 |
| Appearance | Dark purple to bronze-black crystalline solid with a slight sweetish odor. Odorless when pure. Density approximately 2.7 g/cm³. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable oxidizing solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes at 240C/464F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Soluble in water forming purple solution; no violent reaction but solution is oxidizing |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1490
Extinguishing Media
Use dry chemical, sand, or dry powder; avoid organic materials and combustibles
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level C minimum; SCBA if fire involved; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; dust protection required
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 140: isolate spill 25-50m; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 140).
First Actions for a UN 1490 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.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1490 — Potassium permanganateHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1490
Product: Potassium permanganate
Class 5 / Oxidizer / ERG 140
PPE: Level C minimum; SCBA if fire involved; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; dust protection required
ISOLATION: ERG 140: isolate spill 25-50m; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions
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 1490 — Potassium permanganate
Class: 5 | Placard: Oxidizer | ERG Guide: 140
Appearance: Dark purple to bronze-black crystalline solid with a slight sweetish odor. Odorless when pure. Density approximately 2.7 g/cm³.
Water Reactivity: Soluble in water forming purple solution; no violent reaction but solution is oxidizing
Extinguishing: Use dry chemical, sand, or dry powder; avoid organic materials and combustibles
PPE: Level C minimum; SCBA if fire involved; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; dust protection required
Isolation: ERG 140: isolate spill 25-50m; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions
— Key Hazards —
• These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire.
• Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
• May explode from heat or contamination.
— 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.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1490 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1490 Potassium permanganate Cls5 ERG140 | ERG 140: isolate spill 25-50m; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1490SMS / 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/1490
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1490
These substances will accelerate burning when involved in a fire. Some may decompose explosively when heated or involved in a fire. May explode from heat or contamination. Some will react explosively with hydrocarbons (fuels). May ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may create fire or explosion hazard. Inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors or substance may cause severe injury, burns or
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 C minimum; SCBA if fire involved; chemical-resistant gloves and suit; dust protection required
Water reactivity: Soluble in water forming purple solution; no violent reaction but solution is oxidizing. Recommended extinguishing: Use dry chemical, sand, or dry powder; avoid organic materials and combustibles.
ERG Guide 140 recommendation: ERG 140: isolate spill 25-50m; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 140 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.