☣️ UN 1631 • CLASS 6
Mercury benzoate
Placard: Toxic. 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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Quick details
UN 1631
Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG: Guide 154 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate downwind
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Mercuric benzoateMercury(II) benzoateBenzoic acid mercury saltMercury dibenzoate |
| CAS Number | 583-15-3 |
| Appearance | White to slightly yellowish crystalline powder or solid at room temperature. Odorless or faint benzoic acid odor. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | Decomposes before boiling |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Slightly soluble in water with no significant violent reaction, but releases toxic mercury compounds |
| Extinguishing | Dry chemical, CO2, water spray for cooling; avoid dispersing material |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA and chemical-resistant suit; avoid all skin contact due to severe toxicity and corrosive properties |
| Isolation | ERG 154: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate 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 skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- 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
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.).
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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 1631 — Mercury benzoate HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1631
Product: Mercury benzoate
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 154
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA and chemical-resistant suit; avoid all skin contact due to severe toxicity and corrosive properties
ISOLATION: ERG 154: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate 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 1631 — Mercury benzoate
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 154
Appearance: White to slightly yellowish crystalline powder or solid at room temperature. Odorless or faint benzoic acid odor.
Water Reactivity: Slightly soluble in water with no significant violent reaction, but releases toxic mercury compounds
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray for cooling; avoid dispersing material
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA and chemical-resistant suit; avoid all skin contact due to severe toxicity and corrosive properties
Isolation: ERG 154: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if fire or large spill, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• 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.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1631 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1631 Mercury benzoate Cls6 ERG154 | ERG 154: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if fire or large sp | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1631SMS / 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/1631
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FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury 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 Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive Some are oxidizers and may ignite combustibles (wood, paper, oil, clothing, etc.). Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
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 SCBA and chemical-resistant suit; avoid all skin contact due to severe toxicity and corrosive properties
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 154 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.