☣️ UN 1639 • CLASS 6
Mercury nucleate
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.
Advertisement
Quick details
UN 1639
Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG: Guide 151 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 151: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills; evacuate area if fire involves material
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Mercury nucleateNucleated mercuryMercury nucleate complexOrganomercury nucleate compound |
| Appearance | Appearance and physical state vary depending on specific nucleate formulation; typically solid or powder form at room temperature. Color may range from white to yellowish. Organomercury compounds often have characteristic odors. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (inorganic/organometallic compound, not typically flammable) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid form under normal conditions) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant violent reaction with water, but may slowly hydrolyze or dissolve releasing toxic mercury species |
| Extinguishing | Dry chemical, CO2, water spray for cooling (material itself is non-combustible but may be involved in fire) |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum required; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots essential to prevent any skin contact with highly toxic mercury compound |
| Isolation | ERG 151: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills; evacuate area if fire involves material |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- 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
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may pollute waterways.
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.
- 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
Advertisement
📋 Copy & Share
UN 1639 — Mercury nucleate HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1639
Product: Mercury nucleate
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 151
PPE: Level B minimum required; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots essential to prevent any skin contact with highly toxic mercury compound
ISOLATION: ERG 151: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills; evacuate area if fire involves material
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 1639 — Mercury nucleate
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 151
Appearance: Appearance and physical state vary depending on specific nucleate formulation; typically solid or powder form at room temperature. Color may range from white to yellowish. Organomercury compounds often have characteristic odors.
Water Reactivity: No significant violent reaction with water, but may slowly hydrolyze or dissolve releasing toxic mercury species
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray for cooling (material itself is non-combustible but may be involved in fire)
PPE: Level B minimum required; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots essential to prevent any skin contact with highly toxic mercury compound
Isolation: ERG 151: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directions; increase isolation distance for large spills; evacuate area if fire involves material
— Key Hazards —
• Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Avoid any skin contact.
• Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
— 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/1639 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1639 Mercury nucleate Cls6 ERG151 | ERG 151: Isolate spill area immediately for at least 25-50 meters in all directi | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1639SMS / 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/1639
Advertisement
FAQ
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. 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 Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.
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 required; SCBA mandatory; chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots essential to prevent any skin contact with highly toxic mercury compound
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 151 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.