☣️ UN 1575 • CLASS 6
Calcium cyanide
Placard: Toxic. 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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Quick details
UN 1575
Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG: Guide 157 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate immediate area. Large spill: consider evacuation 800m downwind.
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | CalcyanideCalcium dicyanideCyanure de calciumBlack cyanide |
| CAS Number | 592-01-8 |
| Appearance | White to gray or black crystalline powder or granular solid. Odorless when dry, but may release hydrogen cyanide gas (bitter almond odor) when exposed to moisture or air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-combustible solid, but releases flammable hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with water) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid, but hydrogen cyanide gas evolved has vapor density of 0.9) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water and moisture to release highly toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. Generates heat during reaction. |
| Extinguishing | Dry chemical, dry sand, soda ash. Do not use water or foam directly on material. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A minimum for spill response. SCBA and full chemical-protective suit required. Cyanide-specific PPE protocols apply. |
| Isolation | ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate immediate area. Large spill: consider evacuation 800m downwind. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
First actions (field-minded)
- 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
- 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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UN 1575 — Calcium cyanide HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1575
Product: Calcium cyanide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level A minimum for spill response. SCBA and full chemical-protective suit required. Cyanide-specific PPE protocols apply.
ISOLATION: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate immediate area. Large spill: consider evacuation 800m downwind.
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 1575 — Calcium cyanide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: White to gray or black crystalline powder or granular solid. Odorless when dry, but may release hydrogen cyanide gas (bitter almond odor) when exposed to moisture or air.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water and moisture to release highly toxic and flammable hydrogen cyanide gas. Generates heat during reaction.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, dry sand, soda ash. Do not use water or foam directly on material.
PPE: Level A minimum for spill response. SCBA and full chemical-protective suit required. Cyanide-specific PPE protocols apply.
Isolation: ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate immediate area. Large spill: consider evacuation 800m downwind.
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the 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.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1575 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1575 Calcium cyanide Cls6 ERG157 | ERG 157: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions. Evacuate immediate area. Large spi | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1575SMS / 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/1575
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FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
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 A minimum for spill response. SCBA and full chemical-protective suit required. Cyanide-specific PPE protocols apply.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 157 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.