☣️ UN 1653 • CLASS 6
UN 1653 — Nickel cyanide
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 151. 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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UN 1653 Quick Details
UN 1653
Product name: Nickel cyanide
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 151 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 151: Isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 1600m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 1653
- 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.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Nickel(II) cyanideNickelous cyanideNickel dicyanideCyanure de nickel |
| CAS Number | 557-19-7 |
| Appearance | Light green or apple-green crystalline solid or powder, odorless or slight cyanide odor at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Slightly soluble in water; may slowly release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas upon contact with moisture or acids |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1653
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, sand, dry earth; avoid direct water spray on material
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; full chemical protective suit for large spills; prevent any skin contact due to high toxicity
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 151: Isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 1600m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 151).
First Actions for a UN 1653 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.
- 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1653 — Nickel cyanideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1653
Product: Nickel cyanide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 151
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full chemical protective suit for large spills; prevent any skin contact due to high toxicity
ISOLATION: ERG 151: Isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 1600m 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 1653 — Nickel cyanide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 151
Appearance: Light green or apple-green crystalline solid or powder, odorless or slight cyanide odor at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Slightly soluble in water; may slowly release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas upon contact with moisture or acids
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, sand, dry earth; avoid direct water spray on material
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; full chemical protective suit for large spills; prevent any skin contact due to high toxicity
Isolation: ERG 151: Isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 1600m downwind
— 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/1653 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1653 Nickel cyanide Cls6 ERG151 | ERG 151: Isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if involved in fire, | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1653SMS / 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/1653
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1653
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 with SCBA required; full chemical protective suit for large spills; prevent any skin contact due to high toxicity
Water reactivity: Slightly soluble in water; may slowly release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas upon contact with moisture or acids. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, sand, dry earth; avoid direct water spray on material.
ERG Guide 151 recommendation: ERG 151: Isolate spill area at least 25m in all directions; if involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation for 1600m downwind
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.