☣️ UN 1589 • CLASS 2
UN 1589 — Cyanogen chloride, stabilized
Placard: Toxic Gas. ERG Guide 125. 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 1589 Quick Details
UN 1589
Product name: Cyanogen chloride, stabilized
DOT Class: 2
Placard type: Toxic Gas
ERG Guide: 125 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 125: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Protective action distance: daytime 0.5km, nighttime 1.7km for large spills. Evacuate immediate area if container exposed to fire.
Common Hazards of UN 1589
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.
- Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Some may burn but none ignite readily.
- Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground.
- Some of these materials may react violently with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Chlorine cyanideChlorocyanChlorocyanogenCK (military designation)Cyanogen monochloride |
| CAS Number | 506-77-4 |
| Appearance | Colorless compressed gas or liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Highly toxic and corrosive. Liquefied gas form appears as a colorless to slightly yellow liquid. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (gas) |
| Boiling Point | 13C (55F) |
| Vapor Density | 2.1 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water forming hydrochloric acid and other corrosive products. Hydrolyzes in moisture. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1589
Extinguishing Media
Do not use water directly on material. Use water spray from distance to cool containers. Dry chemical or CO2 for small fires.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required: full encapsulating chemical protective suit with SCBA. Extremely toxic by inhalation. Avoid all contact with gas or liquid.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 125: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Protective action distance: daytime 0.5km, nighttime 1.7km for large spills. Evacuate immediate area if container exposed to fire.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 125).
First Actions for a UN 1589 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
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 100 meters (330 feet) in all directions.
- 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 1589 — Cyanogen chloride, stabilizedHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1589
Product: Cyanogen chloride, stabilized
Class 2 / Toxic Gas / ERG 125
PPE: Level A required: full encapsulating chemical protective suit with SCBA. Extremely toxic by inhalation. Avoid all contact with gas or liquid.
ISOLATION: ERG 125: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Protective action distance: daytime 0.5km, nighttime 1.7km for large spills. Evacuate immediate area if container exposed to 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 1589 — Cyanogen chloride, stabilized
Class: 2 | Placard: Toxic Gas | ERG Guide: 125
Appearance: Colorless compressed gas or liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Highly toxic and corrosive. Liquefied gas form appears as a colorless to slightly yellow liquid.
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water forming hydrochloric acid and other corrosive products. Hydrolyzes in moisture.
Extinguishing: Do not use water directly on material. Use water spray from distance to cool containers. Dry chemical or CO2 for small fires.
PPE: Level A required: full encapsulating chemical protective suit with SCBA. Extremely toxic by inhalation. Avoid all contact with gas or liquid.
Isolation: ERG 125: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Protective action distance: daytime 0.5km, nighttime 1.7km for large spills. Evacuate immediate area if container exposed to fire.
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive.
• Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
— 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/1589 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1589 Cyanogen chloride, stabilized Cls2 ERG125 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1589SMS / 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/1589
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1589
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Vapors are extremely irritating and corrosive. Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. Some may burn but none ignite readily. Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier than air and spread along ground. Some of these materials may react violently with water.
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 required: full encapsulating chemical protective suit with SCBA. Extremely toxic by inhalation. Avoid all contact with gas or liquid.
Water reactivity: Reacts slowly with water forming hydrochloric acid and other corrosive products. Hydrolyzes in moisture.. Recommended extinguishing: Do not use water directly on material. Use water spray from distance to cool containers. Dry chemical or CO2 for small fires..
ERG Guide 125 recommendation: ERG 125: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Protective action distance: daytime 0.5km, nighttime 1.7km for large spills. Evacuate immediate area if container exposed to fire.
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 125 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.