☣️ UN 1588 • CLASS 6
UN 1588 — Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s.
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 157. 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 1588 Quick Details
UN 1588
Product name: Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: initially isolate 25m in all directions; protective action distance up to 150m downwind for small spills, up to 800m for large spills; evacuate area if material is on fire
Common Hazards of UN 1588
- 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.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Cyanide saltsMetal cyanidesAlkali cyanidesAlkaline earth cyanidesInorganic cyanide compounds |
| Appearance | White to gray crystalline solid or powder. May be odorless when dry, but releases almond-like odor when exposed to moisture or acids due to hydrogen cyanide gas formation. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid; however releases HCN gas with vapor density 0.9) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water and moisture to slowly hydrolyze and release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas; reaction accelerated by heat and acids |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1588
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water spray except for cooling; do not direct water stream onto material
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A recommended for spill response; Level B minimum with SCBA required; chemical-resistant suits, gloves, and boots; avoid any skin contact
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: initially isolate 25m in all directions; protective action distance up to 150m downwind for small spills, up to 800m for large spills; evacuate area if material is on fire
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 1588 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
- 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 1588 — Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1588
Product: Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s.
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level A recommended for spill response; Level B minimum with SCBA required; chemical-resistant suits, gloves, and boots; avoid any skin contact
ISOLATION: ERG 157: initially isolate 25m in all directions; protective action distance up to 150m downwind for small spills, up to 800m for large spills; evacuate area if material is on 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 1588 — Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s.
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: White to gray crystalline solid or powder. May be odorless when dry, but releases almond-like odor when exposed to moisture or acids due to hydrogen cyanide gas formation.
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water and moisture to slowly hydrolyze and release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas; reaction accelerated by heat and acids
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water spray except for cooling; do not direct water stream onto material
PPE: Level A recommended for spill response; Level B minimum with SCBA required; chemical-resistant suits, gloves, and boots; avoid any skin contact
Isolation: ERG 157: initially isolate 25m in all directions; protective action distance up to 150m downwind for small spills, up to 800m for large spills; evacuate area if material is on fire
— 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/1588 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1588 Cyanides, inorganic, solid, n.o.s. Cls6 ERG157 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1588SMS / 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/1588
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1588
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 recommended for spill response; Level B minimum with SCBA required; chemical-resistant suits, gloves, and boots; avoid any skin contact
Water reactivity: Reacts with water and moisture to slowly hydrolyze and release toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas; reaction accelerated by heat and acids. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water spray except for cooling; do not direct water stream onto material.
ERG Guide 157 recommendation: ERG 157: initially isolate 25m in all directions; protective action distance up to 150m downwind for small spills, up to 800m for large spills; evacuate area if material is on fire
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.