☣️ UN 1562 • CLASS 6
UN 1562 — Arsenical dust
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 152. 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 1562 Quick Details
UN 1562
Product name: Arsenical dust
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 152 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 152: Initial isolation 25m all directions; Protective Action Distance 150m downwind daytime (spill), 300m nighttime. Evacuate immediate area for large spills or fires. Avoid dust cloud inhalation.
Common Hazards of UN 1562
- Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Arsenic dustArsenical powderArsenic-containing dustWhite arsenic dust |
| Appearance | Fine white to grayish powder or dust; odorless or faint garlic-like odor when heated. Solid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-combustible inorganic solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (sublimes or decomposes at high temperature, typically >300C depending on arsenic compound) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid particulate) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water, but dissolves slightly forming toxic solutions |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1562
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, sand, or dry earth for fire control; avoid water spray on bulk material to prevent runoff contamination
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full SCBA; Level A if airborne concentrations unknown or very high. Full body protection, chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots. Dust mask insufficient—requires supplied air.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 152: Initial isolation 25m all directions; Protective Action Distance 150m downwind daytime (spill), 300m nighttime. Evacuate immediate area for large spills or fires. Avoid dust cloud inhalation.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 152).
First Actions for a UN 1562 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.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1562 — Arsenical dustHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1562
Product: Arsenical dust
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 152
PPE: Level B minimum with full SCBA; Level A if airborne concentrations unknown or very high. Full body protection, chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots. Dust mask insufficient—requires supplied air.
ISOLATION: ERG 152: Initial isolation 25m all directions; Protective Action Distance 150m downwind daytime (spill), 300m nighttime. Evacuate immediate area for large spills or fires. Avoid dust cloud inhalation.
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 1562 — Arsenical dust
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 152
Appearance: Fine white to grayish powder or dust; odorless or faint garlic-like odor when heated. Solid at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but dissolves slightly forming toxic solutions
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, or dry earth for fire control; avoid water spray on bulk material to prevent runoff contamination
PPE: Level B minimum with full SCBA; Level A if airborne concentrations unknown or very high. Full body protection, chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots. Dust mask insufficient—requires supplied air.
Isolation: ERG 152: Initial isolation 25m all directions; Protective Action Distance 150m downwind daytime (spill), 300m nighttime. Evacuate immediate area for large spills or fires. Avoid dust cloud inhalation.
— Key Hazards —
• Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
• Avoid any skin contact.
— 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.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1562 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1562 Arsenical dust Cls6 ERG152 | ERG 152: Initial isolation 25m all directions; Protective Action Distance 150m d | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1562SMS / 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/1562
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1562
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Containers may explode when heated. Those substances designated with a (P) may polymerize explosively when heated or involved in a fire.
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 with full SCBA; Level A if airborne concentrations unknown or very high. Full body protection, chemical-resistant suit, gloves, boots. Dust mask insufficient—requires supplied air.
Water reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but dissolves slightly forming toxic solutions. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, or dry earth for fire control; avoid water spray on bulk material to prevent runoff contamination.
ERG Guide 152 recommendation: ERG 152: Initial isolation 25m all directions; Protective Action Distance 150m downwind daytime (spill), 300m nighttime. Evacuate immediate area for large spills or fires. Avoid dust cloud inhalation.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 152 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.